Discussion topic · Speaking
Technology
It's in every pocket and every argument — screens, apps, AI and all. Few topics get students more fired up, so let's use it.
Warm-up · ask three
- What's the first thing you do on your phone in the morning?
- How many screens are within reach of you right now?
- What app could you genuinely not live without?
Life, but make it digital
Let's talk
Discussion questions
Project the generator and let it cold-call a question. Filter by level, then give a student 60 seconds to talk. Browse the full decks below.
Random question generator
Press “New question” to put one on the board.
Deck 1
Your tech
- What's your favourite piece of technology, and why?A2
- Phone, tablet, or laptop — which do you use most?A2
- How many hours a day are you on a screen, honestly?A2
- What app do you use the most?A2
- What was your very first phone or device?A2
Deck 2
Everyday life
- How has technology made your life easier?A2
- How do you usually keep in touch with friends and family?A2
- What's a piece of tech you couldn't live without?A2
- Could you survive a whole day with no technology?B1
- Has technology made you lazier or more productive?B1
Deck 3
Online life
- How much personal information do you share online?B1
- What's the best and the worst thing about social media?B1
- How do you switch off from your phone?B1
- Do you trust apps with your data? Should we?B2–C1
- How do you feel about adverts that seem to "know" you?B2–C1
Deck 4
The future
- What new technology are you most excited about?B1
- If you could invent one gadget, what would it do?B1
- Would you want a robot at home? What would it do?B1
- Will AI make life better or worse — overall?B2–C1
- What job might not exist in 20 years because of technology?B2–C1
Deck 5
Big questions
- Should there be limits on screen time for young people?B2–C1
- Is technology bringing us closer, or pushing us apart?B2–C1
- Do older generations really struggle with tech, or is that a myth?B2–C1
- Should phones be banned in schools?B2–C1
- Can you ever be truly "offline" in today's world?B2–C1
Talk for longer
Useful language
Give students the words to give an opinion and weigh both sides. Pre-teach a handful, then challenge them to slip three into the discussion or the game.
Sentence starters
Scaffolding for A2–B1 — finish the sentence about you.
Giving an opinion
Weighing both sides
Talking about habits
Agreeing & disagreeing
Words & phrases
Collocations to upgrade B1–C1 speaking.
to move through content quickly
"I scroll through my phone in bed."
unable to stop looking at a screen
"He's always glued to his phone."
a rest away from screens
"I take a screen break after dinner."
to start or stop using a device or site
"I try to log off at bedtime."
to stay current with something
"It's hard to keep up with new tech."
to spread very quickly online
"The video went viral overnight."
easy to use
"The new app is really user-friendly."
Describing-tech word bank
Quick words to judge a gadget or app in the discussion.
Model dialogue
Jay & Aisha, phones down
Read it together, notice the highlighted phrases, then act it out — and finally debate the big question.
At a café, two phones face-up on the table. Two friends are killing time.
Be honest — how much screen time did you get yesterday?
Don't. Like seven hours. I was completely glued to my phone.
Same. I just scroll through stuff without even noticing.
I've started taking a screen break after dinner. No phone for an hour.
Does it actually help?
Weirdly, yeah. I sleep better and I'm less anxious.
Maybe I'll try it. I find it so hard to log off, though.
It's designed that way! The apps want you hooked.
True. So what do you make of all this AI stuff?
Honestly, it's amazing but a bit scary. It's hard to keep up with.
Right? Half of it is genuinely useful and user-friendly, half feels like too much.
Exactly. I just want to use it without it using me.
Deep. Okay — phones face down till we finish our coffee?
Deal. Bet you crack first.
Now debate the big one
Student A · for the ban
Phones out of school
You think phones wreck focus, fuel bullying and distract from real learning. School should be a phone-free zone.
Student B · against the ban
Phones stay in school
You think phones are useful tools for learning, safety and organisation. The answer is teaching good habits, not banning.
Your mission
- Take your side: should phones be banned in school?
- Give two strong reasons for your position.
- Respond directly to one of your partner's points.
- Together, agree on one fair compromise and present it in 60 seconds — use at least three phrases from the Useful language section.
Classroom game
Would You Rather?
Read the dilemma, then everyone votes. There are no wrong answers — the real game is defending your choice. Tap a side to add a vote and watch the class split.
Would you rather…
Dilemma 1
How to play: Vote with a show of hands and tap the totals in, or let students tap their own choice. Then pick two students who chose opposite sides to defend their pick in 30 seconds each.
Wind down & write
Choose your writing task
Pick one prompt to finish in class or as homework. Every option keeps students thinking critically about the tech in their lives.
01
Write about your favourite piece of technology and why it matters to you.
02
Describe a full day without any technology. How would it feel, and what would you do?
03
Invent a new gadget or app. What does it do, who is it for, and why would people love it?
04
Argue the pros and cons of technology in education. Where do you land?
05
Write a letter to a friend about how technology has changed your life in the last five years.
Exit ticket · 60 seconds
Before you leave
Quick round-the-room close: each student answers in one sentence. A fast way to turn the debate into a personal takeaway.
"Name one way you'll use technology a little more wisely this week."