15 Controversial Statements for ESL Speaking Classes

Sometimes, all it takes to get a quiet or reluctant ESL class speaking is the correct topic. However, the phrase ‘One Man’s Meat is Another Man’s Poison’ is never more true here because one topic might appeal to one student, but not to another. As a teacher, we must always consider how we can get our adult students speaking in class.

One excellent way to encourage free speaking is through using controversial questions or statements. Using statements which are controversial or contentious can bring students who are usually shy, quiet or more reluctant to speak out of their shells because they will probably have an opinion or standpoint.

Print out your controversial statements for speaking classes

Here can find 15 controversial statements for ESL speaking classes. At the bottom, you can see three examples of the controversial statements. Download the TEFL Lemon controversial statements and questions PDF here. If you’d prefer a black and white printable version of the controversial debate topics for teaching, you can click here. Alternatively, click the download buttons for the controversial questions for teaching PDF.

Teaching ideas for using controversial questions and statements for teaching speaking

We also give you three teaching ideas for using controversial debate questions and statements for your English classes below, too. You are free to use these teaching plans for controversial ESL questions or you can make your own ideas…be creative!

Controversial statements teaching idea 1: Print out the 15 controversial statements. Give one statement to each student and have your students mingle around the class talking to each other. Each student should try to speak to as many people as possible getting their viewpoints and also sharing their own opinions. Walk around the class listening in and helping with language.

Controversial statements teaching idea 2: Print out the 15 controversial statements. Put students into small groups and give one statement to each group. Students can then talk, discuss and debate the question statement between each other. The teacher moves around the group to join in, listen, help with language and make mental notes of language errors to talk about later.

Controversial statements teaching idea 3: Print out the 15 controversial statements. Divide your classroom or teaching space into two halves; agree and disagree. Hold up each of your 15 controversial statements for English teaching one by one and have your students move from one side to the other, either agreeing or disagreeing to the statements. Ask different students why they agree or disagree.

15 Controversial Topics for Speaking Classes

1. Do we give children too many trophies?

2. We should ban eating meat.

3. Is there too much pressure on women to have ‘perfect’ bodies?

4. A woman’s place is in the home

5. Men should have a higher salary because they are expected to pay for everything.

6. Mobile phones should only be for the over 16’s

7. Is it OK for companies to collect information on us?

8. There should be a maximum of two hours homework every night

9. Single people are much happier

10. Royal families have no place in the 21st Century

11. Men are better drivers than women.

12. Animal testing is sometimes necessary.

13. Climate change is the world’s biggest problem.

14. Money is more important than love.

15. Learning English isn’t important.

Don’t be too controversial or offensive when using these topics for teaching speaking

Remember when using controversial questions to teach English with adults to stay impartial yourself, don’t offend your students! Being a Devil’s Advocate with your controversial topics can encourage a lot of speaking.

Good luck!

by Stuart Allen