ESL students often talk about their favorite foods because it helps them practice English in a fun and relatable way. Talking about favorite foods makes it easier for ESL students to start conversations, share cultural traditions, and build connections with classmates.
While teaching speaking skills in your ESL class, you should wisely select the right activity because students need a boost in their conversational skills through practice.
To improve your students’ food-related vocabulary and conversational skills, you should give them ample opportunity to practice real-life conversations through role-play activities.
Here are 15 conversations for ESL students to practice talking about their favorite foods. These conversations are grouped into three levels for formal and informal situations: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Table of Contents
Talking about Favorite Foods with a Friend (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends chatting over coffee
Sophie: Hi, Maria! What food do you like best?
Maria: Pizza! I love cheesy ones.
Sophie: Yum! I prefer spaghetti with meatballs.
Maria: Do you cook it at home?
Sophie: Not much. Mostly order from restaurants.
Maria: Same here. Let’s try a new Italian place!
Sophie: Sounds good! Saturday night, Italian feast!
Food Talk at Lunch (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Coworkers chatting during lunch
Mr. Smith: Good afternoon, Emily. Your favorite food?
Emily: Sushi! I enjoy Japanese cuisine.
Mr. Smith: I like burgers, classic American food.
Emily: Burgers with fries are delicious.
Mr. Smith: Do you often eat Japanese food?
Emily: Sometimes. Do you cook at home?
Mr. Smith: Yes, often. It’s healthier and fun.
Emily: Let’s exchange recipes sometime.
Mr. Smith: Great idea, Emily.
Also read: Teaching Ordering Food: Best ESL Lesson Plans with Materials
Food Preferences at Home (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Roommates chatting in the kitchen
Tom: Hi, Kate! Your favorite snack?
Kate: Chocolate chip cookies. Yours?
Tom: BBQ chips! Do you bake cookies?
Kate: Sometimes. Planning cookies this weekend?
Tom: Sure! Can’t wait to try them.
Dish Preference (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Cooking class participants introducing themselves
Mrs. Lee: Morning! Favorite dish, anyone?
David: Grilled chicken with veggies.
Mrs. Lee: Healthy choice. You, Jenny?
Jenny: Shrimp dishes, love seafood.
David: Do you cook seafood often?
Jenny: Yes, it’s easy and nutritious.
Mrs. Lee: Cooking at home is great.
Also read: Ordering Food: Best English Conversations for Practice
Picnic Food Talk (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends chatting at a picnic
Mike: Hi, Emma! Favorite picnic food?
Emma: Turkey and cheese sandwiches. You?
Mike: Grilled chicken salads.
Emma: Planning to make salads at home?
Mike: Sometimes. It’s fun to try.
Emma: I’ll give it a shot. Thanks!
Sharing Culinary Experiences (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends catching up over dinner at a cozy restaurant
Sophie: Hi, Alex! Have you tried any new restaurants lately?
Alex: Hey, Sophie! Yes, I went to a fantastic Thai place.
Sophie: Thai food is amazing. What did you have there?
Alex: I tried their green curry and it was delicious.
Sophie: Green curry is my favorite Thai dish too.
Alex: Really? We should go there together sometime.
Sophie: That sounds like a plan. Let’s make it happen soon.
Alex: Definitely! I’ll check my schedule and let you know.
Sophie: Great! Looking forward to it.
Discussing Favorite Cuisine (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Colleagues chatting during a lunch meeting
Mr. Patel: Good afternoon, Anna. Do you enjoy trying different cuisines?
Anna: Hello, Mr. Patel. Yes, I love exploring new foods.
Mr. Patel: Any particular cuisine you’re fond of?
Anna: I’m quite fond of Mediterranean cuisine, especially Greek dishes.
Mr. Patel: Greek food is rich in flavor and culture. What’s your favorite dish?
Anna: Moussaka! Layers of eggplant, minced meat, and creamy béchamel.
Mr. Patel: Sounds delightful. I enjoy Mediterranean salads myself.
Anna: Salads are refreshing and healthy choices.
Recalling Childhood Comfort Foods (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Siblings reminiscing about their favorite childhood meals
David: Hi, Lily! Remember Mom’s spaghetti and meatballs?
Lily: Hey, David! Yes, it was our favorite meal growing up.
David: I still crave it sometimes. Nothing beats Mom’s cooking.
Lily: Agreed. Her lasagna was also amazing.
David: And her chocolate chip cookies! They were the best.
Lily: We should recreate some of her recipes one day.
David: That’s a fantastic idea. Let’s make it a family cooking day.
Lily: I’m in! Mom would be proud of us.
Expressing Preferences at a Dinner Party (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Guests mingling at a formal dinner party
Ms. Rodriguez: Good evening, David. What type of cuisine do you prefer?
David: Hello, Ms. Rodriguez. I enjoy Italian cuisine the most.
Ms. Rodriguez: Italian food is quite popular for its variety. Any favorite dish?
David: I’m particularly fond of spaghetti carbonara.
Ms. Rodriguez: Carbonara is a classic choice. Do you cook it yourself?
David: Yes, I enjoy experimenting with different recipes.
Ms. Rodriguez: That’s wonderful. Cooking can be quite therapeutic.
David: Indeed. It’s also rewarding to share meals with loved ones.
Planning a Foodie Adventure (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends discussing their upcoming food trip
Emma: Hi, Tom! Have you thought about our foodie adventure?
Tom: Hey, Emma! Yes, I’ve been researching some great spots.
Emma: Any recommendations so far?
Tom: I found this cozy Italian trattoria with rave reviews.
Emma: Sounds perfect! Italian food is always a good idea.
Tom: I thought you’d like it. Can’t wait to try their pasta.
Emma: Me too! Let’s make a list of places to visit.
Tom: Absolutely. We’ll make this food trip unforgettable.
Emma: Cheers to that, Tom! It’s going to be epic.
Gastronomic Exploration and Cultural Exchange (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Attendees at a multicultural food festival discussing their culinary experiences
Dr. Nguyen: Good evening, Mr. Thompson. Have you sampled any intriguing dishes tonight?
Mr. Thompson: Good evening, Dr. Nguyen. Yes, I indulged in some exquisite Indian cuisine.
Dr. Nguyen: Indian food offers a vast array of flavors and spices. Which dishes captivated your palate?
Mr. Thompson: The biryani and chicken tikka masala were exceptional. The balance of spices was impeccable.
Dr. Nguyen: Indeed, Indian chefs possess a mastery of spice blending. Did you pair the dishes with any beverages?
Mr. Thompson: I savored a glass of mango lassi, a perfect complement to the vibrant flavors.
Dr. Nguyen: A delightful choice! Cultural festivals like these provide invaluable culinary experiences and foster cross-cultural appreciation.
Mr. Thompson: Absolutely, Dr. Nguyen. It’s a celebration of diversity through the universal language of food.
Dr. Nguyen: Well said, Mr. Thompson. Let’s continue to savor the cultural richness this festival offers.
Nostalgic Delights and Culinary Traditions (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Family members reminiscing about traditional dishes during a holiday gathering
Sophia: Hey, Grandma! Remember the Thanksgiving dinners we used to have?
Grandma: Of course, dear. The aroma of roasted turkey filled the house.
Sophia: And your famous cranberry sauce! It was the highlight of the meal.
Grandma: Ah, yes. It’s a cherished family recipe passed down through generations.
Sophia: I miss those gatherings and the warmth of our family traditions.
Grandma: Me too, Sophia. Food has a unique way of connecting us to our past.
Sophia: Absolutely. Let’s recreate some of those dishes for our next family reunion.
Grandma: That’s a wonderful idea. It’ll be a delicious trip down memory lane.
Sophia: Can’t wait to share those flavors with the younger generation.
Culinary Preferences and Dietary Considerations (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Nutritionists discussing dietary trends and personal food preferences at a conference
Dr. Martinez: Good morning, Dr. Kim. Have you noticed any emerging dietary preferences among your patients?
Dr. Kim: Good morning, Dr. Martinez. Yes, there’s a notable shift towards plant-based diets for health reasons.
Dr. Martinez: Plant-based diets indeed offer numerous health benefits. Do you follow any specific dietary regimen yourself?
Dr. Kim: I adhere to a Mediterranean diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Dr. Martinez: An excellent choice. I’ve been exploring intermittent fasting as part of my dietary routine.
Dr. Kim: Intermittent fasting shows promising results in promoting metabolic health. How has it influenced your eating habits?
Dr. Martinez: It has enhanced my awareness of portion control and mindful eating practices.
Dr. Kim: Fascinating. Our personal dietary choices often shape our professional approach to nutrition counseling.
Dr. Martinez: Indeed, Dr. Kim. It’s essential to stay informed and adaptable in our ever-evolving field.
Epicurean Adventures and Culinary Experiments (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Friends discussing their recent gourmet cooking endeavors during a dinner gathering
Olivia: Hey, Jason! Have you been experimenting with any new recipes lately?
Jason: Hey, Olivia! Yes, I’ve been delving into molecular gastronomy techniques.
Olivia: Molecular gastronomy? That sounds intriguing. What dishes have you concocted?
Jason: I created a deconstructed apple pie using spherification and foams. It was quite avant-garde.
Olivia: Wow, that sounds like a culinary adventure! How did it turn out?
Jason: Surprisingly well! The textures and flavors were a gastronomic delight.
Olivia: You’re truly a culinary innovator, Jason. I admire your creativity and culinary prowess.
Jason: Thanks, Olivia. Cooking allows me to express my artistic side while satisfying my epicurean cravings.
Olivia: Indeed, food is a canvas for creativity and a source of endless exploration.
Culinary Critique and Epicurean Discourse (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Food critics engaging in a panel discussion about the latest culinary trends and dining experiences
Ms. Rodriguez: Good evening, esteemed colleagues. What gastronomic delights have you sampled recently?
Mr. Patel: Good evening, Ms. Rodriguez. I recently dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in molecular gastronomy.
Ms. Rodriguez: Molecular gastronomy seems to be a prevalent theme tonight. What was your impression of the experience?
Mr. Patel: The innovative presentation and meticulous attention to detail elevated the dining experience to new heights.
Ms. Rodriguez: It’s fascinating how culinary trends evolve and influence dining culture. Any noteworthy dishes?
Mr. Patel: The chef’s interpretation of a classic beef Wellington was a symphony of flavors and textures.
Ms. Rodriguez: Exquisite! Culinary artistry at its finest. How about you, Ms. Lee?
Ms. Lee: I had the pleasure of dining at a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.
Ms. Rodriguez: Sustainability is a critical aspect of modern gastronomy. Did the restaurant succeed in its ethos?
Ms. Lee: Absolutely. Each dish celebrated the seasonality of the ingredients while minimizing food waste.
Ms. Rodriguez: It’s heartening to see chefs championing ethical and environmental practices in their culinary pursuits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing conversations about favorite foods can greatly improve English speaking skills. With the help of these 15 conversations tailored to different proficiency levels, both teachers and students can effectively address vocabulary gaps and build confidence in discussing culinary preferences.
So, let’s start chatting about our favorite foods and enjoy the journey of language learning together!
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