50 essay topics for Thai students learning English (EFL)

These essay topics for Thai students are fun and interesting

While writing essays in English can be extremely difficult for many Thai students, essays are a great way to help them learn English grammar, how to spell and how to express themselves in a language other than their own.

For most Thai students learning English, writing an essay will usually mean using the most basic language. That is okay, as any attempt to write in a second language will still give them valuable experience. Even if they make more grammar mistakes than get things right.

When I taught English in Thailand, my students ranged in age from 12 years old up to adults in their 20s to their 60s. I assigned essay topics for every Thai student I taught at least once and, when I taught in a Thai high school, at least once a month or more.

If you want to assign essays for the students you teach, but are not sure what subjects they might enjoy writing about, the following 50 essay topics for Thai students are just some of those I have successfully used in the past.

*Why should tourists come to Thailand on vacation instead of to other countries?*

Why do you like/dislike your hometown?
What are the qualities of a good friend?
Who is your best friend and why?
Why do you like/dislike your apartment/house?
Who are the happiest people you know and why?
Is your school a good one or not? Why?
The person I will never forget.
What is your favorite book and why?
What is your favorite TV show and why?
What is the best video game in the world?
What is your favorite song and why?
What is your favorite band/singer and why?
Who is your favorite sportsman/woman and why?
The first pet I ever had.
The first holiday I ever went on.
Why are your parents good/bad parents?
What is the best party you have ever been to?
What sports do you enjoy playing and why?
What would you do if you had 10 million baht?
What is your favorite restaurant and favorite food?
What are three differences between Thai culture and American culture?
What are three things you think are strange about American culture?
Which country would you most like to study in and why?
What differences are there between a typical Thai house and a western (American/British) house?
What should you wear for a wedding in Thailand? Should you take a gift?
What should you wear to attend a funeral in Thailand? What should you take with you?
What is the difference between how Thai parents raise their children and how western parents raise theirs?
Why should tourists come to Thailand on vacation instead of to other countries?
What should tourists see when they come to Thailand?
What would you wish for if you had three wishes?
Describe a famous person and explain why you like them?
What is your hobby and why do you like doing it?
Explain how to give good directions from one place to another.
Explain how to cook your favorite Thai food.
What are three goals you would like to achieve this year and why?
Should children be allowed to take smartphones to school? Explain why or why not.
Is money important? Why? If not, what is more important than money?
If you could have the power of one superhero, which superhero would you choose and what would you do with the power?
Is banning smoking or alcohol a good idea or not? Why?
How old should a person be before they are allowed to date and why?
Is it a good idea that uniforms are mandatory in Thai schools? Why or why not?
What would you do if you were in a car accident and somebody was injured?
Which is the best shop/mall in your town and why?
What things do Thais not understand about westerners? (I have used the word ‘farangs’ instead of ‘westerners’ with my students as I don’t find it offensive. You may, however, so if so, choose another word instead).
Why do you/did you like growing up in Thailand?
Which country do you wish you had grown up in if you hadn’t grown up in Thailand? Why?
Which three countries would you like to visit the most? Why?
Should people learn to drive or should everyone take public transportation? Why?
What problems in Thai society do you wish could be solved soon?
If you could open any business, what business would you choose?

These essay topics for Thai students learning English are quite basic, but you might be surprised at some of the interesting, funny and sometimes quite strange answers you get.

You may also learn a lot more about your students than you expected as, in many respects, Thais can be quite open when given a particular subject to talk about.

Length of essay for Thai students learning English (EFL)

One thing I learned quickly when teaching English to Thais was most students do not write long essays. That is why, for most of them, as long as they turned in an essay with at least 3-5 paragraphs, I was happy with that.

Especially as it would often take them a long time to write just that small amount.

Of course, if you have Thai students that are extremely good at writing essays in English, you can always assign a specific word count.

I found if I did that, however, I would often receive an essay they had padded out with nonsensical information just to fill the word quota.

Or that the word count was so horrific to them, they would have trouble even starting.

Obviously, you know your students’ English skills better than anyone, so assign essay lengths as you see fit.