Table Topics Ideas: 40 Questions for Speaking Practice
40 table topics ideas for impromptu speaking
Table topics are short, unrehearsed questions that a speaker answers in one to two minutes. Use these in a club, classroom or team workshop, or simply on your own.
Get a random questionHow table topics work
One person asks a question, another answers on the spot. The answer should have a clear opening, a middle and a closing, even if it is only a minute long.
For the person asking: keep the questions open-ended, and avoid anything that requires special knowledge. For the person answering: do not apologise, answer the question you were asked and finish with a clear last sentence.
Personal
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Describe a day you would love to repeat.
What is a skill you are glad you learned?
Who would you like to thank, and why?
What is something you do differently from most people?
What did you want to be when you were ten?
Describe a small kindness you will never forget.
What would you like to be remembered for?
What is the best trip you have taken?
What is your favourite way to spend a free evening?
Opinions
Should everyone learn a second language?
Is it better to be early or on time?
Do we need to work less?
Is technology making us smarter or lazier?
What is the right age to get a phone?
Are first impressions reliable?
Is it better to specialise or know a little about everything?
Should schools teach public speaking?
Is a failure ever a good thing?
Is it more important to be liked or to be respected?
What if…
What if you could pause time for one hour?
What if you were invisible for a day?
What if your phone disappeared for a month?
What if you had to teach any subject tomorrow?
What if everyone told the truth all the time?
What if you could swap lives with someone for a day?
What if you could eat only one food for a year?
What if you could speak every language?
What if you were stranded on an island with one object?
What if you could change one thing about your town?
Frequently asked questions
How long should a table topic answer be?
One to two minutes is typical.
What if I do not know much about the topic?
Relate it to your own experience. A personal story always works.
Can I use these without a club?
Yes. They are great for classrooms, team warm-ups and solo practice.
How can I improve my answers?
Use a simple structure: an opening, one main point with an example, and a closing sentence.