PERSPECTIVE
Free ESL Conversation Resource · UK Special Edition · Issue 040

UK ESL Discussion Questions

15 conversation questions about the four countries of the United Kingdom, national identity, language and what makes a country a country.
A1–A2 BeginnerB1–B2 IntermediateC1–C2 Advanced

Explore the United Kingdom through 15 authentic ESL discussion questions from One Kingdom, Four Countries, Perspective English Issue 040. Discuss England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the difference between Britain and the UK, citizenship, national identity and belonging. Use these questions for pair work, group discussions or classroom debates at three English levels.

A

Beginner · A1–A2

Start the conversation

  1. 01

    Which of the four countries would you most like to visit? Why?

  2. 02

    When someone asks where you are from, what do you say?

  3. 03

    Why do many people think England is the whole UK?

  4. 04

    Can a person feel they belong to two countries?

  5. 05

    Does a country need its own language?

Ready for the full lesson?Explore the A1–A2 One Kingdom, Four Countries lesson →
B

Intermediate · B1–B2

Explore the issue

  1. 01

    Which of the four countries would you most like to visit, and why?

  2. 02

    How do you answer when someone asks where you are from?

  3. 03

    Why do you think people confuse England with the whole United Kingdom?

  4. 04

    Can someone hold two national identities at the same time?

  5. 05

    Does a country need its own language to have its own identity?

Take the topic further.Explore the B1–B2 One Kingdom, Four Countries lesson →

Together on the map. Different at heart.

One topic. Three levels. Countless perspectives.
C

Advanced · C1–C2

Challenge the idea

  1. 01

    Which of the four countries would you most like to visit, and what draws you there?

  2. 02

    When someone asks where you are from, how many honest answers could you give?

  3. 03

    Why do you think outsiders so often treat England and the UK as the same thing?

  4. 04

    Can a person hold two national identities without feeling divided loyalties?

  5. 05

    Does a nation need its own language, or its own state, to have its own identity?

Push the discussion further.Explore the C1–C2 One Kingdom, Four Countries lesson →
Perspective English · Complete lessons

Turn the discussion into a full lesson.

Continue with One Kingdom, Four Countries, the Perspective English UK Special Edition. Compare the four nations of the UK through reading, vocabulary, critical thinking and speaking activities at your students’ level.

A1–A2

Discover the four UK countries, national symbols, language and belonging through accessible activities.

View beginner lesson →B1–B2

Examine the differences between Britain and the UK, national identities, sport and citizenship.

View intermediate lesson →C1–C2

Debate sovereignty, devolved government, competing identities and what defines a nation.

View advanced lesson →