25 Family Conversation Questions for A2-B1 English Learners (Free PDF)
- Alex
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Level: pre-intermediate (A2) / intermediate (B1)
Go to my English Conversation Questions Hub for more discussion topics you can use for self-study or for the ESL classroom.
25 Family Conversation Questions for ESL Learners (A2/B1)
Download and print the 3-page PDF for your classroom:
Our families have a major impact on our lives. If you had a different family when you were a child, you might be a different person today. This is because our families are our first teachers. They teach us about relationships, and they shape our early opinions of the world.
Do you know how to talk about family in English? Do you know the meanings of get along with and get on someone's nerves? Are you comfortable talking about family relationships? And can you use superlative adjectives to talk about the oldest, tallest, and youngest people in your family?
That is the purpose of this page: to practice asking and answering common questions about family with confidence and accuracy.
The family conversation questions below are ideal for the ESL classroom or for self-study. They are meant for pre-intermediate (A2) and intermediate (B1) English learners, but more advanced learners can enjoy them as well. This resource is meant to help learners practice their speaking skills, and to learn and use some new vocabulary. With these conversation questions, students will use the present simple, past simple, and superlative adjectives.
So, are you ready? Let's talk about family.
Warm-up
How many people are in your immediate family? Who are they?
Example answer: There are four people in my family. It's my mom, dad, sister, and me.
Do you know how many people there are in your extended family?
Example answer: I have eight cousins and all four of my grandparents are still alive. I think there are around thirty people in my extended family.
Family Relationships
Who are you closest to in your family? Why do you feel close to this person?
Example answer: I'm closest to my mom. She's very kind, and we talk all the time.
Do you get along with everyone in your family? (get along = have a friendly relationship)
Example answer: Yes, I get along with everyone. I have to!
Do people in your family ever get on your nerves (annoy or irritate you)?
Example answer: I have a cousin who sometimes gets on my nerves.
Family Experiences
What kind of family trips did you take when you were a child? Did you enjoy them?
How often do you get together with family members for dinners or other celebrations?
What activities do you like doing with your family? (games, movies, etc.)
Do you have any family traditions? (These can also be holiday traditions.)
Siblings (Brothers and Sisters)
What are the benefits of being an only child? (an only child = a person without siblings)
Do you think a person's siblings affect their personality? Why or why not?
Does birth order affect personality? (birth order = first child, middle child, etc.)
Parents and Grandparents
What characteristics (physical or personality) did you get from your parents?
Who takes care of the older people in your family? Do they live with other family members, or do they live in a retirement home?
Family Communication
How often do you talk to your siblings, parents, and/or grandparents?
Do you live close to people in your immediate family? How often do you see each other?
Do you wish you lived closer to someone in your family?
Comparing Family Members
Who is the oldest person in your entire family?
Who is the youngest?
Who is the tallest?
Who is the funniest?
Who is the most responsible?
Other Family Topics
Do you have any friends who are not related to you but who are like family?
Do you think pets are family members? (pets = animals who live with you)
In your opinion, what makes a family strong?
Family Conversation Questions Picture Exercise
What are the biggest challenges that parents and families face today? Look at the pictures and discuss what you see.
