I usually ask where they're from, whether or not they have travelled a lot, what they do for a living and in case they live abroad i ask whether they miss/visit their home country.

Then it depends on what they want to focus on, which i ask in advance. One student wanted to focus on the simple past in particular so I asked about his childhood and youth, his experiences in high school, college etc. If someone prefers to practice future tenses, i might ask about his or her plans for the future.

I hope that helps

My go-to questions are what they do for a living, then immediately in to world news.

If they seem uninterested, you might ask them what style of lesson they are looking for; if they understand what you are saying; and ask them about their interests, hobbies and passions. What is it they care not deeply about in terms of world issues.

Hope that helps.

I find that sometimes people can't understand my accent, so I have to speak slower and clearer, then it seems to improve.

Oh that's interesting Alemão! It makes sense because then you can also be able to correct their tenses while they speak of something dear to them :)

Thank you!

Thank you for responding Karen.

I think one thing that bothers me at times is when students answer open ended questions with just one word