Impromptu Speech Topics for Advanced ESL Students

When I first started teaching ESL, having impromptu speech topics on hand was a lifesaver. Because I wasn’t the best yet at timing, sometimes I would be left with five or ten minutes at the end of class, and having students do a quick impromptu speech helped me fill class time. I also quickly realized how often I would be asked to participate in training students for different speech competitions. Each week, I had to come up with different impromptu topics for our training classes. And when I taught my first speech course, impromptu topics came in handy yet again.

A good impromptu topic is one that allows for flexibility and gives the student a chance to share their true opinions in a variety of ways. It also should allow the possibility for structure, where the student could organize two or three main points, as well as add supporting material.

If you’re teaching a speech class, a speech training class, or if you just want to do impromptu speeches with your students, here are a few ideas for advanced impromptu topics.

 One-word topics:

(Because there is only one word, the topic is vague and leaves plenty of room for interpretation. These are generally more challenging.)

• Imagination

• Diligence

• Globalization

• Community

• Harmony

• Progress

• Modernization

• Future

• Culture

• Literature

• Regret

• Learning

• Language

• Innovation

• Persevere

• Dream

• Connection

Multiple-word topics:

• The Effects of Social Media

• How to Learn a Language

• Choosing a Major in College

• The Joys of Friendship

• What Success Means to Me

• What I Would Do with 1 Million Dollars

• Someone I Admire

• A Hard Lesson I Learned

• Where I See Myself in 5 Years

• A Career I’m Interested in

Debate topics could also be used or adjusted for impromptu speech topics! Check out these 10 debate ideas for extra inspiration: https://www.atlasteaching.com/lesson-planning/10esldebatetopics