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These universal teen traits often make the ESL conversation instructor’s normal tricks useless. What topics keep them interested and break the barriers? A strategy is to work with the rebellion/burgeoning independence, “badness”, need for peer acceptance, and curiosity that come with the age. Try presenting some of these “taboo” conversation questions in class.

For this to work, the ESL instructor needs to first establish trust and a sense of camaraderie that gets them to share. Put the questions, or similar ones related to the categories, on little cards and pass them out. Have the students sit in a circle and read their questions and begin the conversation topics one by one. If they do not respond naturally, introduce an example, preferably something personal, even if you are inventing it! If they still do not respond, poll them to begin and offshoot questions from the poll results.

Try These 5 Taboo Subjects for Your Next Teen Conversation Class

1. 1

   Lying and Cheating

   They all lie and most have cheated on a test and feel better when they hear about someone else that has done the same. Two conversation starter questions are:

   • Have you ever lied to your mom or dad? Why? About what?
   • Have you ever cheated on a test? Which subject?

   If they do not respond right away, tell them you cheated on your algebra test in ninth grade because you could not memorize the equations! They will relate. If that still does not work, ask the question as a poll. This is a good way to get the class started with gradual sharing.

   • How many of you have cheated on a test?

   Then pick on a few with their hands raised and ask which subjects. This will definitely open up a conversation that engages them about which subjects are hard to study! Polling works for any of these subjects.

2. 2

   Treating People Poorly and Regretting It

   We have all treated our little brother poorly and felt bad later, especially at this moody age. Usually we do not apologize and try to forget about it, but it feels good to admit the transgression and can be very humorous when we talk about it.

   • What was something you said or did to someone that you regretted later? How did it make you feel?

   This focuses on past tense and is great for practicing feelings vocabulary. A starter example is “I ate the piece of cake my brother put in the refrigerator. I felt bad when he told me he brought it home for my grandmother.”

3. 3

   Ghosts and Paranormal

   Ask them about paranormal experiences and occult beliefs. Teens of this age are trying to cope with identifying with beliefs and faiths and like talking about and exploring different ideas. Ghosts and the paranormal is lighter subject matter than God existing or heavy religious banter, however, and usually are very engaging subjects for teens. At minimum, you will get one or two students to tell stories to which everyone will listen. They are curious what their peers believe. TheTwilight series, horror movies, and other occult films all are marketed to teens for a reason!

   • Have you ever seen a ghost? Where? What did it look like?
   • Do you believe in astrology? What sign are you?
   • Do you think vampires exist? Do you know one?
   • Can you tell the future? Do you know someone who can?

   This practices storytelling, as well as past, present, and future tense. It will bring up some good new vocabulary for the students as well!

4. 4

   Secret Crushes

   They all have secret crushes at this age and like to pester each other about it. If you want to keep the conversation light, focus on pop stars/athletes. If the students know each other better, you could ask a general question about the perfect boy/girlfriend. These questions will practice traits vocabulary, “if I could” conditional, and can create additional conversations about sports, music, and TV.

   • If you could meet someone you have a secret crush on, who would it be?
   • What is your perfect girlfriend like?
   • Do you have a boyfriend? What does he look like?
5. 5

   Personal Appearance

   All teens feel awkward in their bodies, and, with constant Facebook and media exposure globally, they compare themselves to famous people and wish they could look different somehow! This is a very funny conversation topic for students of this age if you keep it light – focus on who they think is most beautiful and why instead of making it too personal. This subject will practice describing people, present and conditional tenses, and will end up being a good vocabulary lesson.

   • Who is the most beautiful person in the world? Why?
   • Which is more attractive – to be a little fat or too skinny?
   • How much make up is too much – or is there never too much?
   • Do actresses show too much skin on TV?
   • If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change?

If you are trying to get teens to talk, and are stumped, try some of these topics!

You will find that not only will they participate, but they will also listen. Furthermore, your students will be begging for the new vocabulary to communicate their thoughts. We have to try to relate on the level of our students if we want them to learn how to communicate, so have fun doing so and be a teen again with them!