English Speaking Club Topics: Tips and Ideas for Every Level

Have you ever found yourself five minutes before an English speaking club session starts, still unsure what to talk about with your group? Finding engaging and appropriate English speaking club topics isn’t as easy as it seems. My name is York Fern, and I’m an English teacher. Today, I’ll share what I’ve learned over the years about choosing topics based on students’ levels, how to make sessions engaging, and how to ensure everyone benefits — including the teacher.

When I first earned my TEFL/TESOL certification and began hosting speaking clubs, I often relied on advice from more experienced colleagues. Now it’s my turn to pass on what I’ve learned, along with real examples of how to run an English conversation club that both students and teachers can truly enjoy.

Tips for English Teachers on Running a Speaking Club

Before choosing topics for discussion, it’s essential to plan the overall structure of your speaking club. Here are a few key points I always consider:

• Student Level: Assess the group’s language Prociency (A1, A2, B1, B2, etc.). Topics should align with their skill level. If the topic is too complex, beginners may feel lost; if it’s too basic, advanced learners may get bored. Ideally, groups should have similar levels so no one needs to consult a dictionary every two minutes. Speaking club topics for English learners usually start at A2 (Elementary) because absolute beginners (A1) may struggle with dialogue. However, even A1 students can participate with the teacher’s support — just be ready to encourage and guide them.
• Age Group: Age heavily influences topic choice and teaching style. For example, a speaking club for kids should involve simple, playful themes. Young learners enjoy talking about animals, cartoons, or what they want to be when they grow up. Teenagers are often drawn to music, technology, sports, or adventure. Adults typically enjoy travel, work, culture, and current events. Always tailor your topics to the real-life experience and interests of your audience.
• Students’ Goals: Understand why your students joined the speaking club. Some want to overcome a language barrier, others need English for work, while some are preparing for exams or interviews. If the goal is casual fluency, you can pick lighter topics like food, movies, or weekend plans. But if the group has a specific goal (like Business English or IELTS), your topics should reflect that — such as mock interviews, business meetings, or exam-style questions. I personally run a club for learners in the IT field, so our conversations often include technical or career-focused topics that wouldn’t appeal to general groups.
• Schedule and Frequency: Think about how often the group meets and how much time you have per session. If you meet weekly for an hour, you can explore a new theme each time. I like to alternate — one week a light and fun topic, the next week something deeper, to keep variety. If your sessions are shorter or less frequent, choose exciting topics that grab attention immediately. Seasonal and current event-based topics also work well — holidays before a break, travel in the summer, or goals in the new year. These help make discussions more relevant and meaningful.

How to Choose the Best Topics for an English Speaking Club

The discussion themes you choose should match the language level of your students. Simpler, concrete topics are better for beginners, while more abstract or opinion-based topics suit advanced learners. Let’s break down effective conversation topics by level — from A1 to B2 — including real-life examples I’ve successfully used in my classes. Feel free to adapt them to your speaking club!

Level A1 (Beginner)

A1 learners are true beginners. They know how to introduce themselves and can use basic phrases like “I have a cat” or “She likes music.” At this stage, the speaking club is more about practicing simple speaking than having full conversations. I remember asking my first A1 group to talk about their hobbies — the blank stares made it clear that was too much. I quickly changed course and began asking very simple, guided questions, modeling the answers myself. The key at A1 is creating a warm, supportive environment where it’s safe to make mistakes.

Here are some great A1 speaking club topics:

• Basic introductions and personal information (name, hometown, job or school).
• Family (describe your mom, dad, siblings — familiar and relatable content).
• Daily routine (talking about work or school, schedule: “I wake up at 7 a.m.”).
• Food and drinks (favorite meals, typical breakfast, fruit preferences, etc.).
• Hobbies and likes/dislikes (basic structure: “I like football. I don’t like chess.”).
• Weather and seasons (discuss today’s weather, favorite season).

Ask questions that allow for one- or two-word answers: “What is your name?” “Do you like coffee?” “Have you got a pet?” These help break the ice and get learners speaking without pressure. Gradually, they gain confidence and begin forming short sentences. My advice? Smile a lot, nod encouragingly, and praise every attempt — confidence is more important than grammar at this level.

Level A2 (Elementary)

A2 learners have passed the beginner stage. They can form simple sentences in the present, past, and future and know basic vocabulary. These students can hold short conversations with support. In one A2 group I taught, students were hesitant to speak about themselves, but lit up when we discussed travel. Travel, I learned, was their motivation to use English.

Great speaking topics for A2:

• Travel (where they’ve been, weekend trips, how they traveled – by bus, train, plane).
• Shopping (favorite stores, shopping habits, grocery lists).
• Food and recipes (share simple recipes, favorite national dishes).
• Holidays and traditions (childhood celebrations, birthday or New Year customs).
• School or work (talk about classes for teens or workdays for adults).
• Hobbies and free time (go a bit deeper: sports, music, creative activities).

Use open-ended questions to encourage longer responses: “What did you do last weekend?” “Where would you like to travel next?” These questions push students to use past and future tenses and express personal opinions. Don’t worry about mistakes — show support by answering first and prompting others. “Last weekend I went hiking… what about you?” Sharing personal stories makes students more comfortable and curious about one another.

Level B1 (Intermediate)

B1 learners are able to express themselves in most everyday situations. They can describe events, share opinions, and give reasons. You can now introduce broader and more abstract topics. I once had a B1 group spontaneously begin debating whether Instagram was helpful or harmful — a spirited discussion that I only had to guide lightly. That’s the magic of a speaking club!

Recommended topics for B1 speaking club sessions:

• Travel and adventure (share travel stories, debate solo vs group travel).
• Technology and social media (favorite apps, tech’s impact on life, pros and cons).
• Culture and traditions (compare customs, explain national holidays, describe cultural norms).
• Movies, books, and music (recommend films or books, discuss music tastes).
• Nature and environment (talk about pollution, climate change, or personal habits to help the planet).
• Education and work (discuss study plans, career goals, pros and cons of different jobs).

Encourage students to express opinions: “What do you think about…?” “Do you agree or disagree with…?” For example: “Do you think social media is helpful or harmful in our lives?” or “If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?” These questions lead to longer answers and more engaging conversation. You can correct grammar gently if needed but focus on keeping the conversation flowing.

Level B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

B2 students speak English with confidence and fluency. They still make occasional mistakes but can easily discuss complex and even philosophical topics. For teachers, this level is a joy — you can explore controversial or thought-provoking issues and enjoy rich, meaningful discussions. I once hosted a B2 session on artificial intelligence, and the level of thoughtfulness blew me away — it felt more like moderating a panel than teaching a class!

Excellent speaking topics for B2 learners:

• Current events and news (discuss recent developments, staying neutral and inclusive).
• Society and social issues (equality, health, urban vs rural life, generational change).
• Science and innovation (AI, space, technology’s future, environmental innovation).
• Art and culture (debate music trends, cinema, literature, the role of the arts).
• Personal values and philosophy (what is success, can money buy happiness, career vs family).

Ask deep, open-ended questions: “Do you believe AI will do more harm or good in the long run?” “Can money buy happiness?” B2 learners thrive when challenged. I like to toss in unexpected questions or facts to keep the conversation dynamic. Don’t be afraid of complexity — if your group is ready, go for it! These discussions build not only fluency but also critical thinking and vocabulary.

Conclusion

As teachers, we know that vocabulary and grammar are only part of the equation. In a speaking club, atmosphere is just as important — creating a space where students feel safe, curious, and excited to talk. The right topic is half the battle. I always feel joy when I see students laughing and chatting passionately in English — even with mistakes. That’s when I know the session was a success.

Personally, I’ve grown a lot through running these clubs. Teacher training and certifications like TEFL/TESOL (which you can take online at tefl-tesol-certificate.com) have helped me develop new ideas and methods to make each class both fun and effective. I’ve learned how to spark interest, gently correct errors, and bring out even the quietest voices in the room.

In the end, a speaking club is about real connection and the joy of communication. Try new formats, listen to your students, and celebrate every little step forward. If you ever feel out of ideas, don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from fellow teachers and professional communities — we’re all in this together.

I hope my experience and topic suggestions help you on your journey. Wishing you meaningful conversations, curious learners, and unforgettable moments in your English speaking club. After all, there’s nothing better than seeing once-silent students now eagerly debating topics that truly matter to them. That’s why we teach. Good luck and happy speaking!