Questions to ask your language partner

A good question keeps a conversation alive. A bad one gets a yes or a no. Here are questions that work in a language exchange, in plain English. Translate them into the language you are learning.

How to ask well

• Ask open questions. "What did you do at the weekend?" works better than "Did you go out?"
• Ask one at a time.
• Listen, then ask a follow-up. "Why?" and "What was that like?" do the work.
• Share your own answer too. It is a swap.

About them

• Where are you from? What is it like there?
• What do you do for work or study?
• How long have you lived here?
• What do you do in your free time?

Food and drink

• What is your favourite meal?
• What do people eat for breakfast where you are from?
• Which dish would you cook for a visitor?
• Where do you like to get coffee?

Travel and places

• Where have you travelled?
• Where would you like to go next?
• What is your favourite place near here?
• What would you show a friend who visited?

Plans and stories

• What are you doing this weekend?
• What was the best day of your last holiday?
• What is something you want to learn?
• What was your first job?

About the language

• How would you say this in your language?
• Is there a word that has no English translation?
• What mistakes do learners often make?
• What is a good way to practise at home?

When you run dry

Ask your partner to teach you three words about the topic you are on. Or pick a new topic from conversation topics for a language exchange.

Need a partner? Read how to find a language partner.