80 ESL Conversation Questions About Making Friends

Making friends is an important part of everyday life, and being able to talk about it in English helps learners build confidence, communication skills, and social connections.

Topics related to friendship are common in ESL speaking classes, group discussions, interviews, and daily conversations.

These 80 ESL conversation questions about making friends are designed for:

ESL / EFL learners
Beginners to intermediate students
Spoken English and fluency practice
Classroom pair work and group activities

The questions encourage learners to share personal experiences, express opinions, and practice natural English in a friendly and relaxed way.

Table of Contents

General Questions About Friendship

What does friendship mean to you?
Do you find it easy or difficult to make friends? Why?
How do you usually meet new friends?
What do you look for in a good friend?
Do you prefer having many friends or just a few close friends?
What makes someone a true friend?
Do you believe you can be friends with someone very different from you?
Have you ever lost a friend? Why?
Do you think childhood friends are special? Why?
Can you still be friends if you don’t see each other often?

First Impressions

What do you usually say when you meet someone new?
Do you smile when meeting new people? Why or why not?
How important are first impressions in making friends?
Do you remember the first friend you ever made?
Do you find it hard to start a conversation with strangers?
What questions do you ask when meeting someone for the first time?
Do you prefer meeting new friends in person or online?
Have you ever made a friend while traveling?
Do you think appearance matters when making friends?
How do you know if someone wants to be your friend?

Qualities of a Good Friend

What is the most important quality in a friend?
Is honesty important in friendship? Why?
Do you think friends should always agree with each other?
How should friends solve disagreements?
Do you prefer friends who are similar to you or different?
What makes a friend trustworthy?
How can friends support each other?
Is it important for friends to share hobbies?
Do you believe friends should tell each other secrets?
What makes you feel comfortable around a friend?

School and Friendship

Did you make many friends at school?
What do you usually talk about with school friends?
Do you prefer group activities or one-on-one time with a friend?
Have you ever studied with friends? Was it helpful?
Have you ever had a best friend at school?
How do you help a new student make friends?
Do you think making friends at school is easy?
What games do you play with friends at school?
Do you sit with your friends in class?
Have you ever shared your lunch with a friend?

Friendship Across Cultures

Do you think it’s easy to make friends from another country?
What can we learn from friends who are from different cultures?
Do you believe friendship is the same everywhere?
How do you greet friends in your culture?
Have you ever taught a friend about your culture?
Do you like trying food from your friend’s culture?
Have you ever had a language barrier with a friend?
Can two people be friends even if they don’t speak the same language well?
How do cultural differences affect friendships?
Have you ever celebrated a festival with a friend from another country?

Technology and Friendship

Do you use social media to make friends?
Do you think online friendships are real?
How do you keep in touch with friends who live far away?
Do you prefer phone calls, texts, or video chats with friends?
Have you ever met an online friend in real life?
Do you think children should make friends online?
How often do you chat with friends online?
Do you believe online friends can be as close as real-life friends?
What are the dangers of online friendships?
What are the advantages of online friendships?

Friendship Challenges

What should you do if a friend hurts your feelings?
How do you say sorry to a friend?
Have you ever been jealous of a friend?
How do you handle arguments with friends?
Do you believe friends should always share everything?
Have you ever had to choose between two friends?
What should you do if a friend is unkind to others?
How do you cheer up a sad friend?
What should you do if your friend lies to you?
Do you think all friendships last forever?

Conclusion

Practicing conversation questions about making friends helps learners speak more comfortably, clearly, and confidently in real-life situations. Friendship is a universal topic, which makes it easy and enjoyable to talk about.

By using these 80 ESL questions, learners can:

Improve speaking fluency
Learn how to start and continue conversations
Build social confidence in English
Express thoughts and feelings more naturally

Teaching tip:
Encourage students to answer in full sentences, ask follow-up questions, and listen actively to others.

With regular practice, learners will not only improve their English but also feel more confident making new friends in any situation.