These 20 conversation questions about covid-19 are suitable for adult English learners at B2 (upper-intermediate) level. They can also be used with C1+ (advanced) students. The questions can be used in one-to-one lessons, pair or group discussions, or set as writing homework.
For more activities on this topic, see our complete Covid-19 ESL lesson plan.
- What is Covid-19? What are its symptoms? Who is most at risk of becoming seriously ill?
- How accessible was Covid-19 testing where you lived? Did everyone have equal access to tests?
- How effective were face masks at stopping Covid-19 from spreading? Did people wear them to protect themselves or other people?
- How did the pandemic change the way people work? Are these changes still common today?
- How effective were social distancing measures at controlling the spread of Covid-19? Were the restrictions they placed on people's everyday lives justified?
- Did governments do enough to stop Covid-19 spreading at the beginning of the pandemic? Which countries handled it well, and which handled it badly?
- How effective was your government's vaccination programme? Were the right groups given priority?
- Was it fair that richer countries got Covid-19 vaccines before poorer countries? What problems did this cause?
- How effective were Covid-19 vaccines at protecting people from serious illness? How did new variants affect that protection?
- What Covid-19 conspiracy theories did you hear during the pandemic? Why did some people believe them?
- Who was responsible for spreading false information about Covid-19? Why did they do it?
- How effectively did your government support workers and businesses affected by the pandemic?
- How did the pandemic affect the economy? Are we still feeling its effects today?
- How did the pandemic affect people's mental health? Were certain groups affected more than others?
- Which civil liberties were restricted during the pandemic? Do you think these restrictions were justified?
- Did the pandemic increase divisions within society? What caused these divisions?
- Did the pandemic lead to an increase in racism or xenophobia? Why?
- What opportunities for corruption did the pandemic create? Were there any major scandals in your country?
- Do you think Covid-19 is now something we have to live with, like the flu?
- How has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world and the way we live?
