English classes can sometimes feel serious, with all the rules of grammar, literature, and endless essays. But what if you could bring a bit of fun into the mix?
Asking your English teacher some funny questions can lighten the mood and spark interesting conversations that go beyond the usual curriculum.
So, if you’re curious about their teaching experiences or just want to hear a funny story, these 50 questions are sure to bring some laughter into the classroom while still being educational.
50 Funny Questions You Can Ask Your English Teacher
- If you could rename a commonly misused word, what would it be, and why do you think it’s commonly misused among students?
- What’s the most creative excuse you’ve heard from a student about why they didn’t complete their homework, and did it make you laugh or shake your head in disbelief?
- Can you recall a time when a student’s interpretation of a piece of writing led to a funny situation, and how did you handle it?
- What’s the most amusing example of a student mixing up idioms, and what was your reaction when you encountered it in their writing?
- If you could eliminate one persistent grammar mistake from all student papers forever, which mistake would it be?
- What inspired you to become an English teacher, and what do you love most about teaching this subject?
- How do you think studying literature can benefit students in real life, beyond just improving their language skills?
- How do you approach teaching students with different learning styles and levels of interest in English?
- What are some common misconceptions students have about English literature, and how do you address them?
- How do you stay updated on new trends and developments in literature and language teaching?
- What advice would you give to a student who wants to pursue a career in writing or literature?
- How do you handle discussions about sensitive or controversial topics in literature, especially one that’s pretty interesting?
- What are some of the most common mistakes students make in writing, and how can they avoid them?
- As an English teacher, how do you handle people expecting you to always speak polished English, even when you’re trying to be all casual?
- What’s the funniest misunderstanding you’ve had due to a language barrier or grammar mistake?
- How do you cope when someone corrects your grammar in casual conversation? How do you grade their response?
- Have you ever misused a word or phrase in front of your class, and what was the reaction?
- What’s your response when someone uses irregardless in a sentence? LOL
- How do you feel about people who insist that literally only be used in its original sense?
- Have you ever come across a word in a student’s essay that you had to Google?
- What’s the most unusual metaphor or simile a student has ever written?
- As an English teacher, how do you handle the expectation that you always speak perfect English, even when you’re just trying to relax?
- Have you ever had a moment in class where you realized you mispronounced a word for years, and how did your students react?
- How often do people apologize for their grammar when they find out you’re an English teacher, and do you secretly enjoy it?
- Would you rather have a classroom full of students who love to read but hate to write, or students who love to write but hate to read?
- How do you handle moments when a student uses a new slang term that you don’t understand? Do you pretend to know it, or do you just ask them to explain?
- Have you ever taught a book that you personally didn’t like, and how did you manage to stay enthusiastic about it for the students?
- If you could do away with any grammar rule forever, which one would it be and why?
- Have you ever been dumbfounded by a grammar or vocabulary question from a student, and how did you handle it?
- What’s the strangest expression a student has ever used in an essay that actually made sense once you thought about it?
- Have you ever been caught off guard by a question during a parent-teacher conference that had nothing to do with English? How did you handle it?
- Have you ever given a student an assignment and later realized that you wouldn’t want to do it yourself? How did you make them feel they ought to do it without giving them?
- If you had to pick a household chore for grading papers, which one would it be and why?
- Have you ever had a student come up with a word so perfect you wished it was in the dictionary?
- Have you ever had a student challenge your interpretation of a text with such a unique perspective that you had to rethink your own understanding?
- If you had to choose between teaching classic literature or modern bestsellers for the rest of your career, which would you pick and why?
- Have you ever witnessed a student use a literary quote in real life to make a point, and how effective was it?
- How do you handle situations where students interpret a character’s act in ways that completely surprise you?
- Have you ever used an outdated slang term in class, and how did your students react? How did you shake it off?
- What’s the most unusual topic you’ve ever given to your students to write, and what kind of responses did you get?
- How do you deal with the moment when students realize they can look up book summaries online?
- What’s the most memorable piece of advice a student has given you about how to teach English better?
- Have you ever accidentally taught a word or phrase incorrectly, only to have your students use it confidently later?
- What’s the most creative way you’ve tried to convince someone that poetry isn’t just about rhyming?
- Have you ever used a literary work to settle a real-life debate, and how did it turn out?
- What’s your favorite story of a student getting to know their love for reading through a book you assigned?
- Have you ever had a moment where a student’s insight completely changed how you view a book or character?
- If you weren’t an English teacher, which other language would you enjoy teaching, and why?
- Would you rather teach someone who makes a lot of grammatical errors how to speak better or someone who is new to the English language from scratch? Which do you think is easier?
- Would you prefer teaching a class of students who ask a lot of questions about everything they read, or a class that absorbs information quietly but thoroughly? Which teaching style do you think you would enjoy more?
Before You Go
These 50 funny questions offer a fun way to engage with your English teacher, breaking the routine of standard classroom interactions.
They not only bring humor into the learning environment but also allow you to see your teacher’s perspective in a new light.
So, next time you’re looking to add a bit of fun to your English class, try asking one of these questions and see where the conversation takes you!