WH Question Conversation Starters | 60 WHAT, WHEN, WHY, WHO Prompts for Kids

Help your students build speaking fluency, listening comprehension, and critical thinking with this set of 60 WH Question Conversation Starter Cards. These open-ended prompts are designed to get learners talking naturally while practicing essential question-and-answer structures. Perfect for ESL, EFL, and ELL classrooms, as well as elementary language development, these cards make speaking practice engaging, meaningful, and interactive.

This resource is a powerful tool for English language teachers who want to boost classroom interaction, strengthen vocabulary use, and encourage students to speak with confidence. Each question is simple enough for beginners but can be expanded for more advanced learners, making it flexible across grade levels and language abilities.

What’s Included

• 60 printable WH Question Cards divided into categories:
  • 12 “Who” questions
  • 12 “What” questions
  • 12 “Where” questions
  • 12 “When” questions
  • 12 “Why” questions
• Color and black-and-white versions for flexible classroom use
• Printable format for cut-and-go prep

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Boosts Speaking Confidence: Encourages students to practice forming answers to open-ended questions in a low-pressure format.
• Builds Vocabulary and Grammar: Students reinforce question words, sentence structures, and descriptive language.
• Flexible for Any Setting: Ideal for icebreakers, warm-ups, literacy centers, partner work, or small group discussions.
• No-Prep and Easy to Use: Print, cut, and start engaging your class immediately.

Perfect For

• ESL and ELL learners practicing WH question formation and responses
• Elementary classrooms developing communication and language skills
• Conversation clubs or speaking groups where students need quick, engaging prompts
• Warm-ups and icebreakers to start class with active speaking practice

Classroom Benefits

These WH Question cards are excellent for supporting student-centered learning, encouraging natural conversations, and helping learners practice both comprehension and expression. They align well with ESL curriculum goals focused on oral fluency, listening skills, and everyday communication. Teachers can use them for structured lessons or casual discussion activities.

Pair It With This ESL Resource

For additional grammar-based conversation practice, pair these WH Question cards with the Present Simple Conversation Question Cards – Adverbs of Frequency. Together, they provide students with varied opportunities to practice forming questions and discussing daily routines, habits, and personal experiences.

Available on Teachers Pay Teachers

WH Question Conversation Starters | 60 WHAT, WHEN, WHY, WHO Prompts for Kids