James Taylor

Images As Conversation Starters

Images can be a really effective, low prep way of getting students interested in a subject. All you need to do is show them a picture and get them to discuss their reaction to it. With the right choice of photo, you might even get a full lesson out of it.

I like to collect images which I think will be thought-provoking, challenging and perhaps a bit mysterious. Below is a collection of some of these images which you might find useful, along with their back story so you know the context behind the picture.

You can download a powerpoint with some of these images and discussion questions here.

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James Taylor is a DELTA qualified EFL teacher, teacher trainer, materials writer and podcast producer based in Brasília, Brazil. He has written the Our Languages coursebook series for FTD Educaçao, is a founder of the Raise Up! project and was nominated for an ELTON Award for the TEFL Commute podcast. He is the Project manager at Active English and a committee member of IATEFL TDSIG and BRAZ-TESOL Brasília.

8 responses to “Images As Conversation Starters”

adamlross

December 5, 2018

Thanks for this James…. I’ve seen videos used a lot as conversation starters as well – but I think for some reason watching videos numbs the students sense of participation whereas pictures keeps them more ‘ with you’ in the classroom… do you see that as well..?

Reply
1. James Taylor
  
  December 5, 2018
  
  You might be right. Of course it depends on the video or image used, but with the speed that a simple image gives you, it’s easier to maximise the impact of an image which is particularly important at that stage of the lesson.
  
  Reply
  1. Jason Zepp
    
    February 5, 2019
    
    I agree, I think the speed at which pictures are readily captured by the eye makes it a much more stimulating exercise. Thanks, I will use these in the classroom – great!
    
    Reply
    1. James Taylor
      
      February 5, 2019
      
      Thanks – I hope you enjoy them!
      
      Reply
Hilary Otto

September 20, 2020

This kind of material is particularly useful as apart from working really well in class it also saves so much time looking for interesting images. Thanks very much!

Reply
1. James Taylor
  
  September 25, 2020
  
  Thanks Hilary, you’re welcome!
  
  Reply
alison

November 15, 2022

Thank you, as I was struggling to find visual material to stimulate a 13 year old in one-to-one speaking classes. These are just great! 🙂

Reply
1. James Taylor
  
  November 22, 2022
  
  Thank you Alison!
  
  Reply