Let’s Get Talking! 9 Conversation Topic Ideas For Your Next Language Exchange
Struggling with conversation topics when it comes to language exchange? You’re not alone! Many people feel apprehensive when it comes to initiating conversations in a foreign language, and so worry about potential awkward silences if they don’t know what to say to their language partners.
Don’t worry! Language exchange can actually be a fun and dynamic experience, even for the shyest of souls. To help spark some conversation, here are some great topics to supercharge your language learning and get the conversation flowing!
1. Music
From Taylor Swift to Bad Bunny to the Beatles and everyone in between, music can be an easy conversation topic and is often a great way for language exchange partners to bond over a shared love for certain artists or songs.
🎶 Share your favorite songs or music genres
Rap or Classical? Blues or Pop? Share your favorites, not only is this a great way to get to know each other’s taste in music, but also to learn about new artists or bands. You can discuss why you like certain songs or what emotions they bring out in you.
🎸 Compare music scenes in your home countries
Have you heard of Portuguese Fado or Spanish Flamenco? Every country has its own unique music culture. Ask your language exchange partner about the music scene in their country and compare it to your own. You might discover some new and exciting artists that you haven’t heard of before.
💃 Talk about music and culture
Music can be a reflection of a country’s culture and history. Ask your language buddy about the role of music in their culture and how it has evolved over time. You could also discuss the role of music in your own culture and compare the differences and similarities.
🎤 Practice singing in your target language
Ok, so maybe you’re not the next Luciano Pavarotti…. But if you both enjoy singing, why not try singing a song in your target language together? This can be a fun way to practice your pronunciation and vocabulary with a native speaker, and it’s a great way to bond with your friend!
Using music as a conversation starter is a great way to practice your language skills and connect with your language partner on a deeper level.
2. Pop culture
This one is especially great for young learners as teens and young adults are often up-to-date on the latest trends. It’s time to zoom in on your favorite TV shows or movies, the latest gossip, and who wore what on the red carpet!
🍿 Share lists of your favorite movies, TV shows, and celebrities
Pop culture is all about the latest and greatest in entertainment — and you can easily weave it into your language exchange. Talk about your favorite movies, TV shows, and celebrities with your partner and see if you have any shared interests. You might even discover some new shows or actors that you haven’t heard of before — or bond over ones that you both like.
💋 What’s the latest gossip?
Pop culture is constantly evolving, so there’s always something new to talk about. Share your thoughts on the latest trends and news in the entertainment industry with your friend. This is a great way to practice your language skills and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in pop culture.
📺 Compare entertainment in your home countries
Every country has its own unique pop culture scene. Ask your language buddy about the pop culture in their country and compare it to your own. You might be surprised by the differences and similarities!
🔍 Practice your language skills with celebrity trivia
Pop culture is full of fun facts and trivia. Challenge your language exchange partner to a game of entertainment trivia and see who knows more about the latest and greatest in entertainment. This is a fun way to practice your language skills and have a good time.
Pop culture is a great conversation starter for your next language exchange. Whether you’re sharing your favorite movies, discussing current events, or testing your knowledge with trivia, pop culture is a fun and trendy way to connect with your new friend and practice your language skills.
3. Travel
People love talking about their travels (especially if they don’t get to do it much!) Exchange stories of your past adventures (or future dreams!) or city comparisons – comparing food or scenery can be particularly fun!
🏝 Share your travel stories
Gazing at the Milky Way from the dunes of the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan? Or sipping wine at a trattoria tucked into a centuries-old alley in Rome? Share your most memorable travel experiences with your conversation partner and ask about their adventures as well. Travel is a universal topic that can bring people together and facilitate meaningful conversations. Share your travel stories and you might even discover some new and exciting travel destinations that had never even crossed your mind.
🌁 Compare cities and countries
Travel isn’t just about the destination, it’s also about the culture, food, and scenery. For example, you might talk about the vibrant street art in Berlin versus the historical landmarks of Paris. You might discover some new and exciting places to visit based on your conversations.
💭 Talk about your travel dreams
Maybe you’ve always wanted to visit the temples of Thailand, or your partner has always dreamed of hiking the Inca Trail in Peru. Traveling can be a great source of inspiration and can help us see the world in a different way. Share your travel dreams with your language exchange partner and ask about their future travel plans. This is a great way to connect with each other and exchange ideas for new and exciting travel destinations.
📔 Practice your language skills with travel vocabulary
Traveling often involves learning new vocabulary, such as words for different modes of transportation or types of accommodation. Practice your language skills with your language buddy by using travel-related vocabulary in conversation. For example, you might talk about booking a hotel room or taking the train from one city to another. Practice your language skills with travel vocabulary and you’ll be well on your way to planning your next adventure.
Since many people are learning languages particularly in order to be able to travel more easily, this is usually a great conversation starter for you and your language buddy. Whether you’re sharing your travel stories, comparing cities and countries, or discussing your travel dreams, this will give you opportunities to use the words you’ve learned recently.
4. Food
From gourmet restaurants to street vendors – food is another relatable topic that many people have strong opinions on (and amazing pictures too!). Make sure you don’t just discuss national cuisine but also regional dishes unique to your area too!
🍕 Share your favorite dishes and restaurants
Do you love indulging in a perfectly cooked steak at that fancy French bistro down the street? Or maybe you can’t resist the spicy aromas wafting from the street carts in Bangkok. Ask about your partner’s go-to meals and dining spots and you might discover some new and exciting cuisines that you haven’t tried before. Whether you’re a foodie or just enjoy a good meal, everyone has their favorite dishes and restaurants.
🍱 Compare food culture in your home countries
Every country has its own unique food culture and traditions. Ask your friend about the food culture in their country and compare it to your own. Every country has its own unique food culture and traditions. Maybe you’ll learn about the importance of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies 🍵 or just how popular tacos really are in Mexico! 🌮😋
🌎 Talk about regional dishes
National cuisine is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food. Make sure to also discuss regional dishes that are unique to your area. This is a great way to learn about the diversity of food culture in different parts of the world.
📝 Ramp up your language skills with food vocabulary
Talking about food often involves learning new vocabulary, such as words for different types of ingredients or cooking techniques. Practice your language skills with your language exchange partner by using food-related vocabulary in conversation.
Food is a great conversation starter when you are doing a language exchange. Whether you’re sharing your favorite dishes and restaurants, comparing food culture, or discussing regional dishes, food is a universal topic that can bring people together and facilitate meaningful conversations.
5. Jobs
What do you do? For whom? Do you enjoy it? Does your job reflect your interests or were you drawn towards it for other reasons? These types of discussions offer insight into cultural differences around work ethics and expectations.
👮 Share your job and career aspirations
Who did you always want to be when you grow up? Is that who you are now? What path took you to what you do now? Share your job and career aspirations with your language buddy and ask about their experiences as well. This is a great way to learn about different careers and the job market in different parts of the world.
☑️ Discuss work ethics and expectations
Jobs can be a reflection of a country’s culture and values. Ask your conversation partner about work ethics and expectations in their country and compare them to your own. You might discover some interesting differences and similarities in the way that people approach work.
🔍 Compare job opportunities where you live
Every country has its own job market and opportunities for career advancement. Compare the job market in your country with your partner and discuss the differences and similarities. This is a great way to learn about different career paths and opportunities.
👨💻 Try doing a mock-interview or business meeting together
Talking about jobs often involves learning new vocabulary, such as words for different types of jobs or job responsibilities. Practice your language skills with your language exchange partner by using job-related vocabulary in conversations that are directly related to your jobs.
Whether you’re sharing your job and career aspirations, discussing work ethics and expectations, or comparing job opportunities, jobs are a relatable topic that can provide insight into cultural differences and facilitate meaningful conversations.
6. Sports
Do you like playing sports? Watching them? Have any teams that you passionately follow? Dissecting victories or losses can be an entertaining way of passing time while learning new vocabulary related to popular sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball etc..
⚽️ Share your favorite sports and teams
Do you enjoy playing sports or watching them? Do you have any teams that you passionately follow? Share your love of sports with your friend and see if you have any shared interests. You might even discover some new sports or teams that you haven’t heard of before.
🏆 Discuss memorable games and matches
Sports are full of exciting moments and memorable games. Share your thoughts on some of the most memorable games or matches that you’ve seen with your language exchange partner. This is a great way to connect with each other and discuss your shared love of sports.
🏈 How popular are different sports in your language buddy’s country?
Every country has its own unique sporting culture and traditions. Ask your partner about the popularity of different sports in their country and compare it to your own. You might be surprised by the differences and similarities in the way that people approach sports.
⚾️ Hit a home run by using your new sports vocabulary!
Corner kick or off-sides? Shortstop or quarterback? Talking about sports often involves learning new vocabulary, such as words for different types of sports or sports equipment. Practice your language skills with your language partner by using sports-related vocabulary in conversation.
7. Technology & Science
If either party is tech savvy then discussing this ever-evolving field can be interesting – anything from Apple’s secret new product releases to artificial intelligence developments could spark fascinating conversations without feeling intimidatingly academic at all!
🤖 What about technology and science do you find exciting?
Are you interested in the latest tech gadgets or scientific developments? Share your interests with your friend and see if you have any shared passions. This is a great way to learn about different areas of technology and science and keep up-to-date on the latest developments.
📰 Discuss news in the tech and science world
The tech and science world is always buzzing with new and exciting developments. Share your thoughts on current events and news in the tech and science world with your language buddy. This is a great way to practice your language skills and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the tech and science world.
🗺 Compare the tech and science scene in your home countries
Does your Japanese language partner have a fancy smart toilet? Or maybe your Chinese buddy can tell you all about WeChat. Every country has its own unique tech and science scene. Ask your language exchange partner about the tech and science scene in their country and compare it to your own. You might discover some interesting differences and similarities in the way that people approach technology and science.
Technology and science are a great topic to consider if you’re drawing blanks when chatting with your new language buddy. Whether you’re sharing your interests in tech and science, discussing current events and news, or comparing the tech and science scene in your home countries, technology and science are constantly evolving fields that can spark some fascinating conversations!
8. Books & Literature
Share your favorite authors, genres or works that have left an impact on you – ask each other questions about classic literature versus modern literature or writers from different parts of the world which could lead into further discussion about culture and customs around storytelling from different perspectives (even animated films!).
📚 Share your favorite books and authors:
Do you have any favorite books or authors that have left a lasting impact on you? Share your love of books and literature with your language exchange partner and see if you have any shared interests. You might even discover some new and exciting authors or works that you haven’t heard of before.
✍️ Discuss the differences and similarities between classic literature and modern literature
Literature is constantly evolving and has a rich history. Compare and contrast classic literature with modern literature with your new friend and see how they compare. This is a great way to learn about the evolution of literature and the timeless themes that are present in different works.
🌎 Explore literature from different parts of the world
Literature is a reflection of culture and customs. Explore literature from different parts of the world with your partner and learn about the diverse perspectives and experiences that are captured in the written word. Plus, native speakers can usually help guide you and give you some great suggestions for books that they enjoyed reading whether in school or just for pleasure.
📕 Talk about new words you learned from books that you read
Many of the words we encounter when reading literature might not be used as frequently in everyday speech. Vocabulary will also vary across genres, so if you pick up a classic novel, you might want to follow it up with fantasy or a detective story. When you come across a word that you haven’t heard before, talk to your language partner about it and see what they think, do they hear it often? How is it used?
9. News & Current Affairs
It’s always good to stay informed no matter what language we are speaking! Keep up with the news by leading with questions about international stories – there’s always something interesting happening around the world which provides great fodder for conversation opportunities!
📰 Share your thoughts on current events
What’s going on in the world today? Share your thoughts on current events and news stories with your study buddy and see if you have any shared opinions. This is a great way to stay informed and practice your language skills.
🌎 Discuss international news and stories
The world is a big and complex place, with news and stories coming from all corners of the globe. Share your thoughts on international news and stories with your friend and learn about the different perspectives and experiences that exist around the world.
🗺 Explore current affairs in your home countries
Every country has its own unique current affairs and news stories. Ask your language partner about current affairs in their country and compare them to your own. This is a great way to learn about different perspectives and experiences.
These are just some ideas to get started. The real fun comes as you continue your conversations, get to know your language partner better — before you know it, you’ll not only improve your language skills, but you’ll have more cultural insights, know more about the world and, best of all, have a new friend as well!
