Ask Good Questions

Writing good DISCUSSION questions

A good discussion questions asks about OPINION or EXPERIENCE or PLANS.

• This is not a quiz. No questions that have correct answers
  • How many people live in Tokyo?
  • What is the capital of Yemen?
• This is not a dissertation (論文). No questions that need research
  • How can we reduce water pollution in Bangladesh?
  • What is the solution to poverty in Vietnam?
• No questions with obvious answers.
  • Have you ever been to Paraguay?
  • Do you think war is bad?
• No lazy questions. The following are BANNED.
  • “Do you know TOPIC” (Of course they do! You just explained it!)
  • “What do you think about TOPIC?”
  • “What is your image of TOPIC”
  • “How do you feel about TOPIC”
  • Instead, be specific e.g. “Do you think that X is Y?”
• If I ask you to write three questions, they must start three different discussions.
  • 1) Do you like dogs
  • 2) Do you want dogs
  • 3) Do you have dogs

Here are some patterns to follow

• Use the patterns but change the content.
  • e.g. When did you last go shopping? —> When did you last see a movie?
  • • Do you have any brothers and sisters? —> Do you have any pets
• Some content ideas for small talk:
  • Friends, Food and drink, Music,
  • Pets, Shopping, Travel, TV and movies,
  • Sports, Games, Gadgets,
  • Work, Books, School

Future

(Plans, Predictions)

• What are you going to eat tonight?
• What game will you buy next?
• What movie do you want to watch next

Present

(Habits, daily life, personal questions)

• What do you usually have for breakfast?
• Do you often go to karaoke?
• Do you have any brothers and sisters?
• How often do you watch music videos on YouTube?
• How do you get to school?
• Do you still see your HS friends?
• How do you find new music?
• Can you play an instrument?

Past, Present Perfect

(Experiences)

• What was your favourite TV show (when you were small)?
• What’s the first CD you ever bought?
• What’s the last movie you saw?
• What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
• When did you last go shopping?
• Where did you buy your shirt?
• Where have you been in Japan?
• Have you ever been to Okinawa?
• Have you ever bought stuff at a flea market?

Recommendations, Likes

• What’s a good place to buy English books?
• Where do you think I should do a study abroad?
• Which do you think is best – hotel or homestay?
• Do you like karaoke?
• Do you prefer the country or the city?
• Who’s your favourite Japanese artist?
• What’s your favourite restaurant?
• What kind of movie do you like?

Discussion patterns

• Do you think it’s OK to keep animals in zoos?
• (See discussion phrase sheet for more)

Imagination patterns (“conditionals”)

• Would you ever become vegetarian?
• What would you do if you got sick in another country?
• Where would you like to go on holiday?

Common mistakes:

Put “category” in right place

• What countries have you been to?
• What kind of movie do you watch?
• Which country would you like to work in?