If you teach ESL, you already know this challenge:
Students can memorize vocabulary and grammar rules—but real conversation breaks down when they face real-life problems.
That’s exactly why I created my ESL Problem-Solving Conversation Cards, a 40-prompt speaking resource designed to help students think, explain, negotiate, and communicate clearly in realistic situations.
These cards go beyond surface-level discussion and push students to use English for what it’s meant for: solving problems through conversation.
Whether you teach teens, adults, or online learners, this set gives you meaningful speaking practice with zero prep.
⭐ What’s Inside the ESL Problem-Solving Conversation Cards
This resource includes 40 real-life problem-solving speaking prompts that ask students to:
Identify a problem
Explain possible solutions
Justify their choices
Respond to follow-up questions
Each card presents a clear, realistic scenario students might actually encounter in daily life, school, or work.
Examples of problem types include:
Social and interpersonal challenges
Workplace or school situations
Decision-making dilemmas
Everyday life problems that require discussion and compromise
Because the prompts are open-ended, students can respond at their own language level—making this set flexible for A2–B2 learners.
⭐ Why Teachers Love These Speaking Cards
Teachers love this resource because it works immediately, without complicated instructions or role assignments.
These cards are perfect for:
✔ ESL conversation classes
✔ Speaking centers
✔ Small groups or pairs
✔ Adult ESL & workplace English
✔ Online or in-person lessons
✔ Early finishers
✔ Low-prep speaking days
✔ Substitute-friendly plans
There are no roles to demonstrate, no scripts to memorize, and no awkward acting—just natural, purposeful conversation.
⭐ Skills Students Will Build
These problem-solving prompts strengthen more than just speaking fluency. Students actively practice:
Expressing opinions clearly
Explaining reasoning and consequences
Using functional language for suggestions and advice
Asking follow-up questions
Agreeing and disagreeing politely
Building confidence in spontaneous speech
Because students must think before they speak, these cards naturally encourage longer responses and deeper discussion than typical conversation prompts.
⭐ Perfect for Intermediate ESL & Adult Learners
This resource works especially well for:
Intermediate ESL (A2–B2)
Teen and adult ESL classes
Conversation-focused programs
ESL tutoring and online lessons
You can easily scaffold by:
Allowing notes before speaking
Modeling one sample response
Using pairs first, then whole-class discussion
The same cards can be reused all year with different expectations, making them a high-value, repeat-use resource.
⭐ Low Prep, High Impact Speaking Practice
If you want your students to stop giving one-word answers and start thinking and speaking more confidently, problem-solving tasks are one of the most effective tools you can use.
These cards help students:
Practice real English
Build critical thinking skills
Speak with purpose—not pressure
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