Misunderstandings, body language, awkward texts — it gets interesting fast.
A1 Level – Elementary
1. Do you like talking to new people?
2. How do you say “hello” in your language?
3. Is it important to look at people when they speak?
4. Do you prefer calling or texting?
5. What is a “hand gesture”?
6. Is it rude to interrupt someone?
7. Do you speak loudly or quietly?
8. What is a smile?
9. Do you use emojis when you send messages?
10. What is the longest conversation you have had?
11. Do you find English hard to understand sometimes?
12. What do you do if you don’t understand a word?
13. Do you like talking in a big group?
14. What are the common ways to end a phone call?
15. What are the different ways to say “yes”?
A2 Level – Pre-Intermediate
1. What are the key differences between formal and informal communication?
2. Describe how body language can change the meaning of your words.
3. What are the challenges of communicating clearly with someone from a very different culture?
4. Do you find it easier to express yourself in writing or speaking?
5. What is the difference between active listening and passive listening?
6. What specific things do people do in your culture that might be rude elsewhere (e.g., eye contact)?
7. Have you ever misunderstood a text message because of the tone?
8. What is a “low-context” versus a “high-context” communication style?
9. What are the pros and cons of communicating mostly through social media?
10. What are the best ways to start a conversation with a stranger?
11. How do you handle conflict or disagreement politely in a discussion?
12. What are the differences in how men and women typically communicate?
13. Do you think using filler words (like “um” or “like”) is always a bad habit?
14. What techniques do people use to show they are paying attention in a conversation?
15. How important is silence in a conversation, and how is it used in your culture?
B1 Level – Intermediate
1. Discuss the impact of using only video calls versus face-to-face meetings for communication.
2. How can people learn to be more assertive without being aggressive in their communication?
3. What are the ethical issues around digital communication (e.g., deepfakes, online harassment)?
4. To what extent does your native language limit or enhance your ability to express certain ideas?
5. What are the advantages of writing a personal letter versus sending an instant message?
6. Describe a time you successfully managed a difficult conversation or argument.
7. What is the role of humor in bridging cultural divides or easing tensions in communication?
8. How do professional communication styles differ significantly from personal styles?
9. Discuss the concept of “communication breakdown” and common causes in the workplace.
10. Should schools teach specific lessons on effective listening and speaking skills?
11. What are the challenges of communicating non-verbally across different cultures?
12. How has the rise of emojis and GIFs changed the complexity of online communication?
13. What is the “curse of knowledge,” and how does it make communication difficult for experts?
14. Do you think social media has made people better or worse at real-time conversation?
15. What is the importance of “reading the room” before speaking in a group?
B2 Level – Upper-Intermediate
1. How does the constant use of instant messaging affect our ability to have deep, meaningful face-to-face conversations?
2. What specific body language cues are misinterpreted when someone from a high-context culture speaks to a low-context culture person?
3. What ethical problems arise when communication is done only through automated systems (like chatbots)?
4. Should every company require special training for employees on how to communicate with different global cultures?
5. What are the pros and cons of having a completely flat communication structure in a workplace?
6. Describe how a person’s voice tone and speed can betray their true feelings, even if they are saying something polite.
7. Discuss the idea that writing an email is often more strategic than speaking because you can carefully choose your words.
8. What is the psychological effect of receiving a late-night work email on your personal time?
9. What are the challenges of building trust and rapport with someone you have only ever communicated with digitally?
10. How do different age groups (e.g., Gen Z vs. Baby Boomers) often misunderstand each other’s communication styles?
11. What is the role of small talk in business, and is it a necessary part of building professional relationships?
12. Should there be specific public etiquette rules for using mobile phones in shared spaces like public transport?
13. What are the key differences between a persuasive communication style and an informative one?
14. How does the choice of clothing and appearance act as a form of non-verbal communication in professional settings?
15. Discuss the idea that listening is often the most important, but least practiced, communication skill.
C1 Level – Advanced
1. Analyze how the structure of social media platforms inherently encourages polarized or aggressive communication.
2. To what degree should companies be held legally responsible for maintaining civil and respectful communication among their users?
3. Discuss the concept of “linguistic relativity”—does the language you speak actually limit how you think about the world?
4. Evaluate the impact of globalization on the dominance of English as the international language of business and technology.
5. How does the strategic use of silence and pauses affect power dynamics in a negotiation or high-stakes conversation?
6. Examine the psychological function of using jargon or highly specialized language within a professional group.
7. What are the ethical challenges when AI translation tools are used for sensitive diplomatic or medical communication?
8. Discuss the philosophical question of whether true meaning can ever be perfectly transferred from one person to another.
9. How do political leaders intentionally use non-verbal cues and speech patterns to influence public opinion?
10. Analyze the historical relationship between the invention of the telephone/telegraph and the acceleration of social interaction.
11. What ethical guidelines should govern the use of communication monitoring software by employers on their staff?
12. Debate whether the increasing complexity of communication technology actually leads to greater isolation rather than connection.
13. How does the legal framework of libel and slander attempt to regulate public and private communication?
14. Discuss the concept of “cognitive load” and how it affects the quality of communication in stressful situations.
15. To what extent does the pursuit of absolute clarity in communication stifle creative or ambiguous expression?
C2 Level – Proficiency
1. How do you analyze the idea that digital communication is fundamentally changing the way our brains process language and emotion?
2. Formulate a critique of current laws regarding “freedom of speech” in the context of globalized, instant digital platforms.
3. Analyze the intersection of power structures, social class, and the subtle linguistic markers that define professional success.
4. Discuss the philosophical concept of “intersubjectivity”—the shared understanding created through communication.
5. Critically evaluate the efficacy of mandatory corporate diversity training in genuinely changing deeply ingrained communication biases.
6. Propose a new set of universally accepted digital etiquette rules to improve global online interaction.
7. Examine the psychological function of “masking” or adapting one’s communication style to fit professional or social expectations.
8. How does the study of semiotics help us understand the deeper cultural meaning embedded in non-verbal signals?
9. Discuss the ethical responsibilities of journalists in their use of anonymous sources and unverified communication.
10. Analyze the historical shift from oratorical (speech-based) culture to written, and now to digitally mediated culture.
11. Articulate the inherent tension between the need for honest, direct communication and the cultural requirement for politeness and saving face.
12. Debate whether future brain-computer interfaces will eliminate the need for traditional spoken or written communication.
13. Assess the long-term societal effects of the ability to communicate instantly with anyone, anywhere, at any time.
14. Discuss the philosophical definition of ‘misunderstanding’ and whether it is an unavoidable consequence of human language.
15. How might the themes of communication styles be used to model processes of mediation and conflict resolution between opposing groups?
