25 Work Conversation Questions for A2-B1 English Learners (Free PDF)
- Alex
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Level: pre-intermediate (A2) / intermediate (B1)
Go to the English Conversation Questions Hub for more discussion topics you can use for self-study or for the ESL classroom.
To boost your Business English vocabulary, use the practice dialogues on the Speak like a Pro! Top 50 Essential Business English Phrases page.
25 Work Conversation Questions for ESL Learners (A2/B1)
Download and print the 2-page PDF for your classroom:
Your job is part of your identity. Of course, it is not the most important thing about you as a person, but it is still something that your friends, family members, and other people want to know about. The fact is, what you do for work tells people something important about you and influences how other people see you. This is why "What do you do?" and "Where do you work?" are two of the most common questions that adults ask when they meet each other for the first time.
Do you know how to talk about your job in English? Can you talk about your past and present work experiences? About money, happiness, co-workers, and your personal beliefs about work?
That is the purpose of this page: to practice asking and answering common questions about work with confidence and accuracy.
The work 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, present perfect, and second conditional.
Are you ready? Let's get to work!
Warm-up
What was your first job?
Example answer: I was a worker at a small café. I made sandwiches for customers.
How old were you when you got your first job? (Or: When did you start working?)
Example answer: I started working when I was sixteen. / I got my first job at sixteen.
Your First Job
How much did you get paid at your first job?
Example answer: I got paid ten dollars per hour. / I made ten dollars an hour.
What did you learn from this experience?
Example answer: I learned how to prepare food and how to work hard.
Your Current Job
What do you do now? (Or: What's your current job?)
Example answer: I'm a nurse.
How long have you had your job?
Example answer: I have been a nurse for five years.
Do you like what you do?
Do you think you will change your career in the future? (Your career is the type of job that you do for a long time.)
School and Training
Did you study or do any specific type of training for your current job? (Training refers to practical learning or special courses.)
Would you like to take any professional development courses in the future? What kind of courses would be interesting to you? (Professional development means a course that develops work skills.)
Would you like to go back to school to study something just for fun? If so, what would you like to study?
Socializing at Work
Do you like to socialize at work? (Socialize means talk to other people.)
Is it important to be friends with your co-workers?
Do you prefer to eat lunch by yourself or with other people at work? (By yourself means alone.)
Money vs. Happiness
Would you prefer a low-paying job that you like, or a high-paying job that you don't like?
Would you work fewer hours for less money if you had more free time?
Do you think money can buy happiness?
Dream Jobs
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Example answer: I wanted to be a guitarist.
What changed your mind about this goal or dream?
Example answer: I realized that I didn’t want to play guitar for 60 minutes every day.
Do you think most people like their jobs?
What's your dream job now? What skills do you need for it?
Good Jobs and Bad Jobs
Which job have you enjoyed the most in your life?
What is the worst job you've ever had?
What are the characteristics of a healthy work environment? (A healthy work environment is a workplace where people feel comfortable and respected.)
What are the qualities of a good boss? (Example: A good boss [should/has to]...)
Work Conversation Questions Picture Exercise
What are the pluses and minuses of working from home? Use the pictures to inspire you, but talk about other relevant points as well.
Good job! Do you feel more comfortable discussing work in English? I hope so!
If you enjoyed practicing your English with these conversation questions, and you would like to support my work, please consider buying one of my books. Thank you for your support. Until next time, keep learning and keep practicing.
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Speak like a Pro! 25 Business English Phrases (video lesson and quiz) 25 Getting-to-Know-You Conversation Questions
