PERSPECTIVE
Free ESL Conversation Resource · Issue 054

Driving on the Left or Right: ESL Discussion Questions

15 classroom conversation questions about left-side and right-side driving, national habits, changing rules, and whether the world should share one standard.
A1–A2 BeginnerB1–B2 IntermediateC1–C2 Advanced

Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Explore everyday rules and their surprising histories through 15 ESL discussion questions from Perspective English Issue 054, “Stay in Your Lane!” Students compare travel experiences, national habits, and the costs of changing traditions at three English levels. Suitable for pair work, group discussion, and classroom debates.

A

Beginner · A1–A2

Start the conversation

  1. 01

    Have you ever been in a country that drives on the other side? What happened?

  2. 02

    What everyday habit from your country surprises visitors?

  3. 03

    Why are old habits, like driving on one side, hard to change?

  4. 04

    Should the whole world drive on one side, even if it costs a lot?

  5. 05

    Is it better for the world to share the same rules, or to keep its differences?

Ready for the full lesson?Explore the A1–A2 Stay in Your Lane! lesson →
B

Intermediate · B1–B2

Explore the issue

  1. 01

    Have you ever driven, cycled or crossed a road in a country that drives on the other side? What happened?

  2. 02

    What everyday habit from your country surprises visitors the most?

  3. 03

    Why do you think old habits, like driving on one side, are so hard to change?

  4. 04

    Should the world choose one driving side, even if switching costs billions?

  5. 05

    Is it better for the world to share the same rules, or to keep its differences?

Take the topic further.Explore the B1–B2 Stay in Your Lane! lesson →

Every country thinks the other side is the wrong one.

One topic. Three levels. Countless perspectives.
C

Advanced · C1–C2

Challenge the idea

  1. 01

    Have you crossed a road where traffic runs the other way? What happened?

  2. 02

    What everyday habit from your country surprises visitors most?

  3. 03

    Why do you think old habits, like driving on one side, are so hard to change?

  4. 04

    Should the world choose one driving side, even if switching cost billions?

  5. 05

    Is it better for the world to share the same rules, or to keep its differences?

Push the discussion further.Explore the C1–C2 Stay in Your Lane! lesson →
Perspective English · Complete lessons

Turn the discussion into a full lesson.

Continue with “Stay in Your Lane!”, Perspective English Issue 054. Explore why countries drive on different sides, the history of road rules, and Sweden’s switch through reading, vocabulary, critical thinking, and speaking challenges, with ready-to-teach materials for all three levels.

A1–A2

Discuss travel experiences, everyday habits, and why changing familiar rules can be difficult.

View beginner lesson →B1–B2Explore the benefits and costs of redevelopment, social isolation, and the sense of belonging.View intermediate lesson →C1–C2

Explore historical explanations, Japan’s driving customs, and the costs of switching sides.

View advanced lesson →