Small talk is a big part of learning a language because people feel the need to ease into conversations before addressing deeper topics. However, small talk can create a little bit of anxiety. People often wonder what they are going to say and even how to be the ice-breaker or how to be the one starting a conversation.
This blog post is about that. We will practice small talk and we will focus on starting a conversation.
Starting a conversation with someone you already know
To create the opportunity for small talk, the first thing you need to do is start the conversation. A simple greeting will do the trick and you don’t need to stick to the predictable “How are you?”, as there are multiple ways to ask how someone is.
Asking
Instead of...
How are you?
Try saying this...
How's it going with you?
What have you been up to lately?
What's been going on?
How is work going?
How's your family?
How's school?
How's your day been?
Or how's your week been?
Responding
Instead of...
I'm fine.
Good.
Fine.
Try saying this...
Not bad, thanks.
I've been busy.
I've been keeping busy.
Nothing special.
My day has been long.
My day has been busy.
It has been a hectic week.
This week has flown by.
My week's been great so far.
Don't forget to follow up with...
How about you?
Starting a conversation with someone you have never met before
Starting a conversation with someone you’ve never met before can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to break the ice with something natural and friendly. A comment about your shared environment, a genuine compliment, or a simple question can all help you ease into small talk without feeling forced.
Try saying this...
Hey there! How's your night going?
How long have you worked here?
Hi, I don't think we've met yet. I'm [your name].
I don't think I've seen you around.
What's been going on?
How is work going?
How's your family?
How's school?
How's your day been?
Or how's your week been?
Downloadable educational resources
Your turn
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