These 20 conversation questions about free speech are suitable for adult English learners at C1+ (advanced) level. They can also be used with B2 (upper-intermediate) 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 Free Speech ESL lesson plan.
- What is freedom of speech? Why is it important?
- Should speech ever be limited?
- Who decides what we can and cannot say?
- How much freedom of speech do you have in your country? Are there things you aren't allowed to say?
- Why is it so important to be able to speak truth to power by openly criticising governments, corporations and other powerful people and institutions?
- Which countries have the most and least freedom of speech? What might happen to people who criticise the government in these countries?
- Should people be free to express opinions they know are false? What if those opinions could harm or manipulate others?
- Which opinions do you completely disagree with? Do you still respect the right of people to express them?
- Can a person's opinions ever be considered dangerous? Should they still have the right to express those opinions?
- Should hate speech be illegal, or should even hateful and deeply offensive opinions be protected by freedom of speech?
- At what point does expressing an opinion become incitement to violence? Can words ever be considered violent? Or do you agree with the saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"?
- Should social media companies have the right to decide which opinions can be expressed on their platforms, or should they be required to respect freedom of speech?
- Should blasphemy be a crime? Why is it protected as free speech in some countries but punished in others?
- Should Holocaust denial be protected by free speech or be a criminal offence, as it is in some countries?
- Should teachers and university lecturers be free to express their political or personal opinions in class? Does it depend on what those opinions are?
- Some countries restrict public discussion of LGBT issues. Can such restrictions ever be justified?
- Should universities be able to refuse a platform to speakers with racist, fascist or other extremist views? Or does this undermine free speech?
- Should people who reveal government secrets to expose wrongdoing be protected by freedom of speech, even if doing so is illegal?
- Should it be illegal to create and share realistic AI-generated videos of people saying things they never said or doing things they never did?
- Should people have the right to express opinions anonymously online, even if this makes spreading hatred or abuse easier?
