Conversation Activity:

Politics & Territory questions.

Politics

General Political Questions

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word "politics"?

2. Is politics important to you? Why or why not?

3. Should religion and politics mix? Why or why not?

4. Do office politics exist where you work? How do they affect the workplace environment?

5. What do you think of politics in general? Do you find it interesting or frustrating?

6. How much do you trust politicians in your country? What factors influence your trust?

7. How would you describe your country’s political system? Is it effective?

8. What qualities do you think make a good political leader?

9. What are the biggest political issues in your country right now?

10. Is there a relationship between politics and dishonesty? How can we address this issue?

11. What do you think of the way politicians communicate with the public (e.g., through social media)?

12. How can political campaigns be better organized to engage voters more effectively?
 Voting and Elections

1. Have you voted in the last election? Why or why not?

2. How old were you when you first voted? What was the experience like?

3. Is voting an important responsibility of a citizen? Why should people vote?

4. What are some ways we can encourage more people to vote in elections?

5. Should voting be compulsory? What are the pros and cons of compulsory voting?

6. How do you decide which candidate to vote for in an election? What factors do you consider most
important?

7. How are elections financed in your country? Do you think too much money is spent on political
campaigns?

8. Do you think elections in your country are truly representative of the people’s interests? Why or why
not?

Political Systems and Parties

1. What type of political system governs your country? (e.g., democracy, monarchy, etc.)

2. What are the main political parties in your country, and what do they stand for?

3. How long is the term of elected officials in your country? Is it enough time to make a difference?

4. Who is currently in power in your country, and what have they done so far?

5. Do you agree with most of the policies of the current government? Why or why not?

6. Should future politicians be vetted for security reasons before assuming office?

7. Do you think the political party system helps or hinders democratic governance?

8. What is the role of an ambassador, and why are they important in global politics?
 Controversial and Social Issues

1. What social issues divide people in your country (e.g., education, healthcare, immigration)?

2. Is ethnicity or race a factor in politics in your country? How does it affect political discourse and
policy?

3. Do you think environmental issues should be a central focus of political parties? Why or why not?

4. What role does religion play in the politics of your country?

5. How do progressive and conservative political forces differ in your country? Do they represent natural
divisions in society?

6. Is gender inequality still an issue in politics in your country? Why do men dominate most political
positions?

7. Has your country ever had a female leader? What impact did she have on the country’s political
landscape?

Political Engagement and Involvement

1. Would you consider working in politics? Why or why not?

2. Have you participated in any political activities (e.g., protests, campaigns, or volunteering for a
party)?

3. If you were a politician, what political issues would you focus on?

4. Would you vote for an actor or actress running for political office? Why or why not?

5. How do you feel about politicians who are seen as "outsiders" (e.g., celebrities, business leaders)
running for office?

6. Can you be friends with someone who has very different political views from you? Why or why not?
 Global and International Politics

1. Do the politics of another country affect your life in any way? How?

2. Do you think war is a form of politics? Carl von Clausewitz once said, "War is the continuation of
politics by other means." Do you agree?

3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of being part of a global organization like the European Union
(EU)?

4. Should countries work together more on global issues like climate change and international security?

5. How do international political events (e.g., trade agreements, wars) affect the political landscape of
your country?

Political Leaders and Public Perception

1. Who is the most controversial politician in your country right now? Why are they controversial?

2. Do you follow politics closely? Why or why not?

3. What do people usually say about politicians in your country? Do you agree or disagree with these
opinions?

4. Do you have a favorite political leader? What did they do, and what made them stand out to you?

Links:

https://printdiscuss.com/politics-conversation-questions

https://esldiscussions.com/p/politics.html

http://iteslj.org/questions/politics.html
 Territory

Historical and Global Spread of English

1. How did the British Empire contribute to the global spread of the English language?

2. What are some of the countries where English is spoken as a first language due to colonization?

3. In what ways did English become a global lingua franca after the decline of the British Empire?

4. How did the United States' rise as a world power in the 20th century affect the spread of English?

5. What role did the media (TV, films, music) play in spreading English around the world?

English in Different Regions

1. What are some of the unique characteristics of British English compared to American English?

2. How does Australian English differ from both British and American English in terms of vocabulary
and accent?

3. In what ways does Canadian English differ from American English, and what is the significance of
these differences?

4. What role does English play in countries like India, where it is an official language but not the mother
tongue?

5. Why is English an official language in many African countries, and what impact does this have on
education and identity?
 Sociolinguistic Aspects

1. How do you think the spread of English affects the preservation of indigenous languages in former
British colonies?

2. What are the positive and negative effects of English becoming the global language of business and
diplomacy?

3. Do you think the widespread use of English in global media is leading to the homogenization of
culture? Why or why not?

4. In some English-speaking countries, local dialects and accents are stigmatized. How do you think
this affects people's sense of identity and belonging?

5. How do you feel about non-native speakers of English being judged on their accents or grammar?
Is this fair?

Postcolonial Perspectives

1. How do former British colonies view the use of English today? Do they see it as a symbol of
oppression or empowerment?

2. Should countries with a history of British colonization continue to use English in government and
education? Why or why not?

3. How can English be seen as both a tool of unity and division in postcolonial societies?

4. What are the challenges faced by countries that have to balance English with local languages and
traditions?

5. Can the rise of "World Englishes" (localized forms of English) help preserve cultural diversity while
still facilitating global communication?
 Political and Economic Aspects

1. How does the dominance of English impact global economic opportunities for non-English-speaking
countries?

2. How do English-speaking countries, especially the U.S. and the U.K., influence global politics through
language?

3. Why is it important for countries to teach English in schools today, even in non-English-speaking
nations?

4. How might countries’ use of English affect their global standing, particularly in terms of international
trade and diplomacy?

Future of English and Linguistic Diversity

1. Do you think English will remain the dominant global language in the future, or could another
language (like Mandarin) overtake it? Why or why not?

2. What is the role of technology in promoting or challenging the dominance of English as a global
language?

3. How can English-speaking countries contribute to the preservation of endangered languages around
the world?

4. What are the risks of having one language dominate global communication, and how can we mitigate
those risks?

5. How might English evolve over the next 50 years, considering technological advances and changing
global dynamics?

6. Should there be global efforts to reduce linguistic imperialism by promoting multilingualism in