Advanced English Discussion Topics: What Would You Like to Talk About?
Forget small talk.
What would you genuinely enjoy discussing in English?
Would you trust an AI system to make an important decision about your future?
How much does the news you read influence the way you see the world?
Are personality tests useful—or do they simply tell us what we want to hear?
Why do some immigrants support political parties that appear to oppose immigration?
Which modern gadget has genuinely improved your life—and which one has made it worse?
These are some of the subjects I’ve been developing for my Advanced English Discussion Group.
This won’t be a general conversation class where we spend an hour talking about what everyone did at the weekend. Each session will begin with an interesting question, idea or problem that gives us something worth discussing.
What makes a good advanced English discussion topic?
A good discussion topic doesn’t have one obvious or correct answer.
It should make you curious about what other people think and give everyone the opportunity to contribute, even if they have very different experiences or opinions.
You might need to:
- explain why you think something
- give an example from your own life or culture
- compare different possibilities
- question an assumption
- respond to another person’s point of view
- change or develop your opinion as the conversation continues
You don’t need to be an expert on the subject. I’ll send you something before each session—perhaps a short video, article, quiz or set of questions—so you have time to explore the topic, think about your ideas and notice some useful language.
The aim isn’t to produce the perfect answer. It’s to take part in a conversation that gives you something interesting to say.
Here are just three of the topics we might explore together. Each one opens up a wide range of questions, ideas and different points of view.
News, bias and the stories we believe
We often hear that children “just absorb language”.
Can any news report ever be completely neutral?
We all encounter news through a particular selection of stories, headlines, images and sources. Even when the facts are accurate, the way a story is presented can influence how we understand it.
In this discussion, we might explore questions such as:
- How do you decide whether a news source is trustworthy?
- Are we more likely to notice bias when we disagree with something?
- How much do headlines and images affect our interpretation of a story?
- Do social media algorithms reinforce what we already believe?
- Should journalists aim to be completely neutral—or is that impossible?
You won’t need any specialist knowledge of journalism. The aim is to compare how we recognise and respond to bias, while exploring the language we use to question information and express uncertainty.
AI, technology and the future of work
Would you trust AI to make an important decision about your future?
Artificial intelligence is already changing the way we work, communicate and make decisions. It can save time and open up new possibilities, but it also raises difficult questions about fairness, responsibility and what happens when technology gets something wrong.
In this discussion, we might explore questions such as:
- Which parts of your job could realistically be done by AI?
- Would you trust AI to select the best candidate for a job?
- Who should be responsible when an AI system makes a harmful decision?
- Will AI give people more freedom—or make many jobs less secure?
- Are there some decisions that should always be made by a human?
You won’t need technical knowledge of how AI works. The aim is to consider how it may affect our working lives and discuss the choices individuals, employers and governments may need to make.
Culture, communication and small talk
Is small talk superficial—or is it an essential social skill?The way we communicate is strongly influenced by our culture. A question that feels friendly in one country may seem intrusive in another, while directness can be interpreted as either honest or rude.
In this discussion, we might explore questions such as:
- Which subjects are considered acceptable small talk in your culture?
- Can you become good at small talk without enjoying it?
- Why are some cultures more direct than others?
- Should you adapt the way you communicate when speaking to people from another culture?
- When does politeness make communication less clear?
The aim is to compare different attitudes towards conversation and explore how cultural expectations can influence what we say—and how other people interpret it.
Can discussions help with speaking exams?
The group isn’t an exam-preparation course, and we won’t spend each session completing practice tests.
However, thoughtful discussion can help you develop many of the skills required in speaking exams such as C1 Advanced, IELTS and the EOI exams.
You’ll practise:
- expressing and developing an opinion
- explaining your reasons and giving relevant examples
- comparing different ideas and possibilities
- agreeing and disagreeing naturally
- responding directly to other people’s points
- clarifying or rephrasing what you mean
- speaking about subjects you haven’t discussed before
- continuing when you can’t immediately find the perfect word.
For C1 Advanced and EOI candidates, the group also gives you valuable experience of interacting with other speakers rather than answering every question individually. For IELTS candidates, it can help you develop fuller, better-supported answers and discuss more abstract ideas.
The group won’t teach you the format or strategies for your particular exam, but it can give you regular opportunities to develop the language, confidence and flexibility you need when speaking.
How does the Advanced English Discussion Group work?
Before each session, I’ll send you something connected to the topic we’ll be discussing. This might be a short video, article, quiz or set of questions.
You won’t need to spend hours preparing. The aim is simply to give you time to explore the subject, think about what you might want to say and notice some useful language before we meet.
We’ll meet online using Zoom. During the session, you may discuss some questions in pairs or smaller groups before sharing your ideas with everyone. At other times, we’ll talk together as a whole group.
I’ll introduce the topic, provide questions and activities, and help the conversation develop. I’ll also give you useful language and feedback without interrupting the discussion every time somebody makes a mistake.
You won’t be expected to give a perfect answer immediately. You’ll have time to think, listen to other people, ask questions and develop or reconsider your ideas as the conversation continues.
How can I join the Discussion Group?
The first step is to register your interest. I’ll then invite you to a free 30-minute chat so that we can meet, talk about what you hope to gain from the group and make sure it’s suitable for your level.
I’m hoping to start the first group in mid-September. The exact date will depend on when I have four suitable participants who are available at the same time, so it may begin a little later.
Once the group is confirmed, I’ll send you the dates and an invoice. You won’t need to pay anything until I know that the group can go ahead.
If the first proposed time doesn’t suit you, you can remain on the interest list for a future group.
If you’d enjoy exploring interesting subjects and sharing your ideas with other advanced English learners, I’d love to hear from you.
Register by entering your email in the box below
Would you prefer to work with me individually?
The Discussion Group won’t suit everyone. You may prefer individual lessons if you want to focus on your own speaking, prepare for a particular exam or receive more detailed feedback on your English.
My one-to-one lessons are designed around your level, interests and goals. We can work on C1 Advanced, IELTS or EOI preparation, professional English, pronunciation or simply helping you express yourself more confidently and precisely.
Who am I?
I’m Heather — an English teacher, photographer, and lifelong lover of stories. I’ve taught hundreds of adults from all over the world to feel more confident in English — not by drilling grammar, but by connecting through real conversations and great books.
I created this discussion group for people who enjoy thinking deeply, asking questions, and learning in a more human way. If that sounds like you — I’d love to meet you!
