Beginner Level Conversations- Series 1- Lesson 3
Starting a conversation can be tough, especially if you’re not a native English speaker. But don’t worry, there are plenty of simple phrases you can use to break the ice! This lesson will give you small talk conversations for different situations, from casual chats with friends to more formal settings like conferences.
Previous Conversation Lesson
Conversation Questions about Greetings
English phrases for beginner small talk
The conversations covered in this lesson are for beginners that want to use simple dialogues instead of talking about topics or ideas in detail. So for your learning, you should start with light, casual chat about general interests.
Small Talk with a friend
- What’s up?
- How’s it going?
- What’s new?
The correct answer to “What’s up?” is “Not much.” You can then add a detail about what’s happening in your life at the moment. If someone says “How’s it going?” you can answer “Good” or “Not so good” and then say why.
Small Talk with colleagues
- Hi, Joe. How are you doing?
- How’s your day going?
- We’re sure having a busy/slow day today.
- Have you heard the news about ____?
- (on Friday): Have you got any plans for the weekend?
- (on Monday): How was your weekend?
- I saw the funniest thing on social media… [then show or describe it]
(for a more casual moment, like on a break from work)
You can talk about your projects, hobbies, or even a favorite TV show! You can also chat about news – what’s happening around the world or in your country? A good way to start a conversation is to ask what they’re up to this weekend, or what they did last weekend.
Small Talk with a friend who you haven’t seen in a long time
- Hi Amy! How have you been?
- Long time no see!
- So, what have you been up to lately?
- How’s your family?
- Are you still working at CNN Company?
In this case, you can ask about news about your friend’s work, study, family, and hobbies. The friend will probably ask you about recent developments in your own life, too.
Small Talk at a party or wedding
- I don’t think we’ve met – I’m Sharon.
- Are you from California?
- So, how do you know Sam?
- Have you tried the ice cream? It’s delicious!
- Having a good time?
If you’re at a party or wedding, you can start a conversation by asking how the person knows the host of the party (or the people getting married). You can also comment about the food and drinks, or about the music.
Small Talk at a conference or work event
- I don’t think we’ve met – I’m Sharon.
- So, where are you from?
- What did you think of the speaker?
- That was an excellent workshop – I learned a lot. How about you?
The expression “I don’t think we’ve met” can be used in professional situations too. You can ask about the person’s job, what company they are from, and their opinions about the conference events.
Small Talk with someone you have just been introduced to
- Nice to meet you!
- How do you two know each other?
- So, what do you do for a living? (= what is your job?)
- What are you studying?
- How long have you been (a journalist / doing yoga / interested in music)?
- How did you get into it?
Imagine you have a friend, Olivia, who introduces you to her friend Rita. You can ask about how they know each other, and about Rita’s job. If Olivia says Rita is a student, you can ask about her area of study and what year of college she’s in. If Olivia introduces Rita as a journalist, or a friend from yoga class, or a musician, you can ask about how long she has done that activity, or how she first got interested in it. Her answer will then provide material to continue the conversation.
Small Talk with someone you meet outside
- It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
- It looks like it’s going to rain/snow.
- Can you believe all this rain/snow we’ve been having?
- Sure it is a hot/cold day!
- Your dog is so cute! What’s his name?
If you’re in a park, on the street, etc., conversation starters often involve talking about the weather or other things you can easily observe in the area.
Small Talk with a stranger in other situations
The secret to starting a conversation with someone you don’t know is to make a comment about the current social context. Here are a few examples of how to do this:
- At an art gallery: That’s an interesting painting. What do you think of it?
- At a bar: This is a great song – I love Latin music. How about you?
- At a sports game: Wow, that was a great play! So, who’s your favorite player?
- At a coffee shop: Boy, do I need some caffeine!
- At a concert or event: What a great turnout! Have you ever been here before?
- At a playground: My kids seem to have lots of energy today!
As in the example of the coffee shop and playground, conversation starters don’t necessarily need to be direct questions. You can simply make a comment to the other person, and this is like an invitation for the other person to comment, too. This can then begin a conversation.
Conclusion
By finishing this lesson, you have more confidence on how to start a simple conversation with strangers in different places and situations. Remember, the key is to be friendly and approachable. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and show genuine interest in what the other person has to say. Happy chatting!
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Conversation Questions for Making Reservations
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