In our daily lives, we always choose between things, no matter where we go or who we talk to. Therefore, expressing preferences is an essential conversational skill ESL learners must learn to navigate their daily lives confidently. So teaching this skill involves giving them words and phrases to say what they like and don’t like.
In my experience, students often struggle to express their preferences in different situations confidently.
So, how can you help your ESL students have conversations about expressing their preferences when it comes to deciding upon something?
If you’ve been teaching speaking skills for a while, you know that ESL teachers face at least a few, if not many, challenges while preparing their speaking lessons. One of the primary challenges is selecting the right activity for your ESL speaking class.
To boost my students’ conversational skills, I often use sample conversations as a role-play activity in my classes.
And guess what? My students truly enjoy them!
To improve your students’ conversational skills when they participate in conversations about expressing preferences, you should give them ample opportunity to practice real-life conversations through role-plays.
This post has 15 conversations for learners to practice expressing preferences. They are curated for three levels: lower intermediate, higher intermediate, and advanced. Each conversation shows how to talk about likes and dislikes.
Students can use these to improve their English conversational skills, and teachers can use them to teach vocabulary and grammar in their ESL classes.
Table of Contents
Choosing a Restaurant for Dinner (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two friends discussing where to eat dinner
Emma: Hi Jack, hungry? Let’s eat out tonight.
Jack: Sure, any preferences? I like pizza.
Emma: I prefer Mexican food. How about tacos?
Jack: Sounds good. I’m okay with that.
Emma: Great! There’s a new taco place nearby.
Jack: What time should we meet?
Emma: Around 7 pm. Is that okay?
Jack: Perfect. I’ll see you there then.
Emma: Awesome. See you tonight!
Choosing a Movie to Watch (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Roommates deciding on a movie for movie night
Sophia: Hi Sara, want to watch a movie tonight?
Sara: Yeah, sounds fun. Any preferences?
Sophia: I like comedies. How about you?
Sara: I prefer action movies, but comedies are fine.
Sophia: Let’s watch a comedy then. How about “Friends”?
Sara: Sure, I’ve heard it’s funny.
Sophia: Great! Popcorn and drinks ready?
Sara: Yup, all set. Let’s enjoy the movie!
Sophia: Awesome. Let’s start it now.
Choosing a Gift for a Friend’s Birthday (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two friends discussing what gift to buy for another friend’s birthday
David: Hi Lily, it’s Sarah’s birthday soon.
Lily: Yeah, we need to get her a gift.
David: Any ideas? She likes books, right?
Lily: Yes, but she also loves music.
David: How about a book about music?
Lily: That’s a good idea. She’ll like it.
David: Let’s go to the bookstore tomorrow.
Lily: Okay, what time?
David: Around 2 pm. Does that work for you?
Lily: Perfect. Thanks for helping me choose.
Picking a Color for a Room (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: A couple discussing which color to paint their living room
Mr. Patel: Good morning, Mrs. Patel. What about the living room color?
Mrs. Patel: Good morning. I prefer blue. What’s your choice?
Mr. Patel: I like green, but blue is fine too.
Mrs. Patel: Let’s go with blue then. It’s calming.
Mr. Patel: Agreed. When should we buy the paint?
Mrs. Patel: Tomorrow afternoon, perhaps?
Mr. Patel: Sounds good. I’ll check my schedule.
Mrs. Patel: Thank you. Let’s make our living room beautiful.
Deciding What Game to Play at a Party (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two colleagues planning a game for the office party
Ms. Rodriguez: Good afternoon, Mr. Smith. Any ideas for the office party game?
Mr. Smith: Good afternoon. I suggest charades. What do you think?
Ms. Rodriguez: Charades is fun. Any other suggestions?
Mr. Smith: How about a quiz? It’s engaging too.
Ms. Rodriguez: Let’s combine both. A quiz and charades.
Mr. Smith: Excellent idea. When should we organize it?
Ms. Rodriguez: Friday afternoon works for me. What about you?
Mr. Smith: Friday is perfect. I’ll inform the team.
Choosing a Vacation Destination (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two friends discussing where to go for their summer vacation
Emily: Hi Alex, any thoughts on our summer vacation destination?
Alex: Hey Emily! I was thinking about a beach resort.
Emily: I prefer mountains, but beaches are fine too.
Alex: Let’s compromise. How about a coastal town with nearby hills?
Emily: That sounds perfect! Do you have any place in mind?
Alex: Yes, there’s a town called Oceanview. It has both beaches and hills.
Emily: Great choice! When should we book our tickets?
Alex: I’ll check flight prices tonight. How about tomorrow evening?
Emily: Works for me. Let’s plan our adventure!
Selecting a Restaurant for a Business Dinner (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two colleagues organizing a business dinner for their clients
Mr. Johnson: Good afternoon, Mrs. Smith. Any preferences for the client dinner venue?
Mrs. Smith: Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. I suggest a fine dining restaurant.
Mr. Johnson: I agree. Do you have any particular cuisine in mind?
Mrs. Smith: Italian cuisine is popular. How about a renowned Italian restaurant?
Mr. Johnson: Perfect choice. I’ll make reservations for tomorrow evening.
Mrs. Smith: Shall we inform the clients about the venue?
Mr. Johnson: Yes, let’s send them an email with the details.
Mrs. Smith: Excellent. I’ll draft the email and send it over.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mrs. Smith. Let’s ensure a successful dinner.
Expressing Preferences on a Wedding Venue (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: A couple discussing potential venues for their wedding ceremony
Sophie: Hi Max, have you thought about our wedding venue?
Max: Hey Sophie! Yes, I prefer a garden wedding.
Sophie: I like gardens too, but what about a beach venue?
Max: Beaches are beautiful. Let’s explore options for both.
Sophie: Agreed. We can visit beach resorts and garden venues this weekend.
Max: Sounds like a plan. Should we make appointments?
Sophie: Yes, let’s book appointments for Saturday afternoon.
Max: Okay. I’ll call the venues tomorrow morning.
Sophie: Thanks, Max. I’m excited to find our perfect venue!
Selecting a Gift for a Friend’s Birthday (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two coworkers discussing what gift to buy for a colleague’s birthday
Ms. Lee: Good morning, Mr. Patel. Any ideas for Sarah’s birthday gift?
Mr. Patel: Good morning, Ms. Lee. I suggest a personalized photo album.
Ms. Lee: Personalized gifts are thoughtful. Do you have a preferred store?
Mr. Patel: There’s a boutique downtown known for unique gifts.
Ms. Lee: Let’s visit it during lunch break. Can we find photo albums there?
Mr. Patel: Yes, they have a variety of personalized gifts.
Ms. Lee: Great. Shall we split the cost?
Mr. Patel: That’s fair. I’ll bring cash tomorrow.
Ms. Lee: Thank you, Mr. Patel. Sarah will love the gift!
Deciding on a Weekend Activity (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two siblings planning their weekend activities
David: Hi Emily, what should we do this weekend?
Emily: Hey David! I prefer outdoor activities like hiking.
David: Hiking sounds adventurous. How about we also visit the zoo?
Emily: That’s a great idea! I love animals.
David: Should we pack a picnic for the hike?
Emily: Yes, let’s prepare sandwiches and snacks.
David: Perfect. I’ll bring a backpack for our supplies.
Emily: Thanks, David. It’s going to be a fun weekend!
Discussing Travel Plans with Colleagues (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Sarah and Mark, colleagues at a multinational company, discuss preferences for an upcoming business trip.
Sarah: Good morning, Mark. Have you reviewed the itinerary for our business trip next month?
Mark: Good morning, Sarah. Yes, I have. It seems quite packed with meetings and presentations.
Sarah: Indeed. Do you have any preferences regarding the flight arrangements?
Mark: I prefer direct flights for efficiency, but I’m flexible if it saves costs.
Sarah: Agreed. Let’s prioritize convenience without compromising on the budget.
Mark: Also, regarding accommodations, do you prefer hotels or serviced apartments?
Sarah: Personally, I lean towards serviced apartments for a more homely feel during longer stays.
Mark: That makes sense. I’ll look into options that offer both comfort and convenience.
Sarah: Excellent. Let’s ensure our travel arrangements align with our productivity goals.
Mark: Absolutely. I’ll finalize the details and circulate the plan for everyone’s approval.
Sarah: Thank you, Mark. Collaboration like this ensures smooth business operations.
Mark: My pleasure, Sarah. Let’s make this trip a success!
Choosing a Wedding Venue with Family (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Jessica and Daniel, a couple planning their wedding, discuss venue options with their parents.
Jessica: Hi Mom, Dad, Daniel. Let’s talk about wedding venues today.
Dad: Hello, Jessica, Daniel. Have you considered outdoor locations like vineyards?
Daniel: Yes, Dad. Vineyards are on our list, but we also like historic estates.
Mom: What about accessibility for guests? Some may prefer urban venues for convenience.
Jessica: Good point, Mom. Let’s explore venues with easy transportation options.
Dad: And what about the size of the venue? We need to accommodate our guest list comfortably.
Daniel: Agreed. We’ll prioritize venues that offer both intimacy and spaciousness.
Mom: Don’t forget about the ambiance. We want a venue that reflects our style and personality.
Jessica: Absolutely, Mom. Let’s visit a few venues this weekend to narrow down our options.
Daniel: Sounds like a plan. I’ll make appointments and arrange transportation.
Dad: Great. Let’s ensure we find the perfect venue for this special occasion.
Negotiating Vacation Plans with Friends (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Michael and Emma, friends planning a vacation together, discuss preferences and compromises.
Michael: Hey Emma, let’s finalize our vacation plans for this summer.
Emma: Hi Michael, absolutely. I’m leaning towards a cultural trip to Europe.
Michael: That sounds fascinating. I was thinking more of a beach holiday in the Caribbean.
Emma: Hmm, how about we split our vacation? A week in Europe, then a week in the Caribbean?
Michael: That could work. I’ll research destinations that offer both cultural experiences and beach relaxation.
Emma: And regarding activities, we should prioritize sightseeing and water sports.
Michael: Agreed. I’ll draft an itinerary that balances cultural exploration and leisure activities.
Emma: Perfect. Let’s ensure our vacation caters to both our interests and preferences.
Michael: Absolutely. Planning together ensures we both have a memorable and enjoyable trip.
Negotiating Office Space Allocation (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Sarah and David, department heads at a company, discuss preferences for office space allocation.
Sarah: Good morning, David. Let’s discuss the allocation of office space for our teams.
David: Good morning, Sarah. Agreed. I propose an open-office layout to foster collaboration and communication.
Sarah: While I see the benefits of open spaces, some tasks require privacy. How about a mix?
David: That’s a fair point. We could designate certain areas for focused work while keeping communal spaces open.
Sarah: Additionally, natural light and ergonomic furniture are crucial for productivity and well-being.
David: Absolutely. Let’s prioritize office spaces that promote health, comfort, and efficiency.
Sarah: And regarding amenities, a communal kitchen and breakout areas encourage informal interactions and creativity.
David: Agreed. I’ll collaborate with the facilities team to ensure our office layout meets everyone’s needs.
Sarah: Thank you, David. Collaboration like this enhances employee satisfaction and productivity.
David: My pleasure, Sarah. Let’s create a workspace that reflects our company culture and values.
Deciding on a Menu for the Family Reunion (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Emily and Jack, siblings organizing a family reunion, discuss preferences for the event’s menu.
Emily: Hey, Jack. Have you thought about what food we should have at the family reunion?
Jack: Hi, Emily. Yeah, I’m leaning towards a barbecue with grilled meats and veggies.
Emily: Sounds delicious! I was thinking of adding some seafood options for variety.
Jack: That’s a great idea. We can have a seafood station alongside the barbecue.
Emily: And for sides, how about salads and grilled corn on the cob?
Jack: Perfect! It caters to different tastes and dietary preferences.
Emily: Agreed. Let’s also have vegetarian options to accommodate everyone.
Jack: Good call. I’ll finalize the menu and send it out for approval.
Emily: Thanks, Jack. I’m sure everyone will love the food choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing conversations about expressing preferences is a valuable way for ESL learners to enhance their English skills. By using the conversations provided in this post, both students and teachers can work together to overcome challenges and improve communication abilities.
