Freedom

free man standing on mountain with arms out
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on April 24, 2023 and last updated on May 13, 2023

Discussing conversation questions about “freedom” is an excellent topic for English learners to improve their vocabulary and overall level of English. Freedom is a broad concept that encompasses various aspects of life, including politics, philosophy, history and personal relationships. As learners explore this topic, they can learn new words, idiomatic expressions, and phrasal verbs related to freedom.

Discussing freedom can also help learners understand different cultural perspectives on freedom and democracy, which can enrich their understanding of the English-speaking world. Additionally, discussing freedom can help learners develop critical thinking skills and become more confident in expressing their opinions in English.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

What is Freedom?

Freedom is a word that can be tricky to define because it means different things to different people. Essentially, freedom means having the ability to act, think, and speak without anyone stopping you. It’s the power to make choices and decisions without anyone else controlling you.

When we talk about freedom in politics, we’re talking about the right to vote, share opinions, and be a part of the decision-making process. In everyday life, freedom means having the chance to follow your dreams and goals without being held back by factors like poverty, discrimination or racism.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • human rights (noun)
  • democratic (adjective)
  • freely (adverb)
  • freedom of speech (phrase)
  • right (noun)
  • equality (noun)

Conversation Questions

My Image
  • What does freedom mean to you personally?
  • Do you feel free in your everyday life?
  • In what ways do you think technology has impacted our freedom?
  • Do you believe that freedom of speech is an absolute right or should there be any limits on what people can say?
  • Do you think that a government can have too much control over its citizens?
  • Do you think that people should have the freedom to choose their own religion?
  • Do you think that people should have the freedom to protest and speak out against their government?
  • What role does education play in promoting freedom and democracy?
  • Do you think that people should have the freedom to own firearms?
  • What is the role of the media in promoting freedom?
  • Is there such a thing as "too much democracy"?
  • Do you think that freedom and equality are compatible?
  • Should people be allowed to refuse medical treatment if it goes against their personal beliefs?
  • What are some examples of situations where a person's freedom might conflict with the greater good of society?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.