These 20 conversation questions about united states culture are suitable for adult English learners at B1 (intermediate) level. 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 United States Culture ESL lesson plan.
- What comes to mind when you think about the United States? What is the country famous for?
- How would you describe American culture? What do people in other countries think Americans are like?
- Have you ever visited the United States? Where did you go, and what did you do?
- Which places in the United States would you most like to visit? What would you do there?
- Why do so many people from around the world want to live in the United States? Would you like to live there?
- Which American holidays or festivals do you know about? Are any of these also celebrated in your country?
- What do you think about American food? Which American food is popular in your country?
- Why do so many people think American food is just fast food when the country also has world-class cuisine, such as Cajun and Creole cooking and Southern barbecue?
- Do you have any favourite American TV shows or Hollywood movies?
- What American music do you like? Which American singers or bands are popular in your country?
- Which American sports do you know? Do you enjoy watching any of them? Are any popular in your country?
- Do you know any typical American words or slang?
- What important things has the United States given to the world?
- What do you think are the biggest differences between American culture and the culture of your country?
- How has American culture influenced life in your country?
- Why is religion important to many Americans? Do you think religion plays a bigger role in the United States than in your country?
- Why does racism in the United States get so much attention? Do you think racism in other countries gets the same attention?
- Why does the United States appear to have so many mass shootings? What makes people do this?
- The United States is sometimes called "the world's policeman" because it gets involved in conflicts in other countries. Do you think America should play this role? Why or why not?
- American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is a unique country with a special role in the world. Do you agree with this idea? What, if anything, makes America different from other countries? Is it the best country in the world?
