An English Student’s Guide to Small Talk

Read our Guide to Learn how to Master Small Talk in English.

Small talk is the kind of light conversation you make when you don’t want to talk about something profound. Starting a conversation with strangers or people you don’t know is very impersonal. Small talk is a small conversation. Sounds simple. Think again. Although small talk doesn’t involve essential topics, it’s an important skill to master as an English student.

Small talk is an essential aspect of social communication, and as an English student, mastering this art can significantly enhance your language skills. Whether you’re meeting new people, attending social events, or engaging in casual conversations, navigating small talk is crucial. In this guide, we’ll break down different parts of a conversation, providing sentence examples to help you feel more confident in various social settings.

Why is small talk so important?

Making small talk is a normal part of daily life in most English-speaking countries; it’s friendly and opens you up to meeting new people. Small talk breaks the ice and casually fills in those awkward silences. In English fluency classes, it’s one of the first topics you’ll learn about. While most of us hate it, we must participate at some point during our personal or working lives. Indulging in small talk is also a way to practice speaking English multiple times daily. Eventually, small talk can lead to a deeper conversation, but you’ve got to start small.

What can I make small talk about?

Have you ever noticed people talking about the weather and wondered why? Talking about the weather is the most common British small-talk topic.

Essentially, anything recent is a good topic for small talk. Simply asking about someone’s day, asking how they’re feeling, talking about common interests or commenting on something happening at the moment of speaking is a great way to break the ice. You can talk with a stranger while waiting for the bus, with an acquaintance on the street, and with anyone you’d like to talk to and get to know better.

How to make small talk in English:

Here are the golden rules of Small talk that will help you talk to anyone about anything:

1. Ask open-ended questions: Open-ended questions (what, where, when, how, who, why) can lead the conversation anywhere. Rather than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, it encourages people to open up about anything relevant. It also generates new topics of conversation,
2. Be an active listener: Listen attentively while someone else speaks to make them feel heard and valued. It’s the basis for any meaningful conversation. Incorporating smiles, eye contact and nodding are non-verbal techniques to use. Active listening allows the development of relationships since it validates the speaker and encourages them to speak longer.
3. Show interest and enthusiasm: Verbally, it’s important to ask for clarification, summarize what has been said and show interest. There are various language techniques to convey interest in a conversation. Use question tags and common responses and ask follow-up questions.
4. Deepen the Conversation: Use every response as a new conversation starter. If somebody has told you where they’re from, in response, you can ask about their hometown. What is it like? Is it different from this place? How often do they go back? What’s it known for? If you’re at a conference, the first questions could be about the current conference (What did you think of the topic of the talk?). A follow-up question could be on the organization (Have you attended events by this organization before?)
5. Always Answer Questions: Always! And don’t just say yes or no. Briefly expand on your answer, even if the person you’re speaking to is not asking open-ended questions.

Small Talk Lines in English to Get You Started

Part 1: Greetings and Introductions

Opening Lines:

• “Hello! How are you today?”
• “Hi there! Nice to meet you. I’m [Your Name].”
• “Good [morning/afternoon/evening]! What’s new with you?”
• “Hey, it’s great to see you. How’s your day going?”
• “Greetings! What brings you here?”

Responding to Greetings:

• “I’m doing well, thank you. How about yourself?”
• “Nice to meet you too, [Your Name]! I’m [Their Name].”
• “Not much, just enjoying the [morning/afternoon/evening]. How about you?”
• “Thanks for asking! My day is going pretty smoothly. How about yours?”
• “I’m here to [reason for being at the event]. What about you?”

Part 2: Finding Common Ground

2.1 Discussing the Environment:

• “This venue is lovely, isn’t it? Have you been here before?”
• “I can’t get over how beautiful the weather is today. Do you enjoy [current weather]?”
• “The decorations are impressive. What do you think of the [event/facility]?”

2.2 Shared Interests:

• “I heard you’re into [a hobby or interest]. That’s fascinating! How did you get into it?”
• “I’m a big fan of [a genre of music/movies]. Have you come across anything interesting lately?”
• “I love reading too. What’s the last book you read, and would you recommend it?”

Part 3: Casual Conversation

3.1 Everyday Activities:

• “How was your weekend? Do anything exciting?”
• “Any plans for the upcoming [weekend/week]?”
• “Have you tried any new restaurants or cafes lately?”

3.2 Work and Studies:

• “What do you do for a living? Is it something you’re passionate about?”
• “I’m currently studying [your major]. What about you? Any favorite subjects?”
• “How did you end up in your current profession? Any interesting stories to share?”

Part 4: Wrapping Up

4.1 Ending the Conversation:

• “It was great talking to you! Let’s catch up again soon.”
• “I’ll let you enjoy the rest of the [event/day]. It was a pleasure chatting with you.”
• “If you ever want to [shared interest], let me know. I’d love to continue our conversation.”

4.2 Exchanging Contact Information:

• “Could I get your number? It would be great to stay in touch.”
• “Are you on social media? Let’s connect and keep the conversation going.”
• “Here’s my card. Feel free to reach out anytime. It was wonderful meeting you.”

Mastering small talk is not only a valuable social skill but also a fun way to practice and enhance your English language proficiency. By incorporating some of these sentence examples into your conversations, you’ll find yourself chatting away with ease, building connections, and expanding your language capabilities. So, don’t be shy! Step into social situations with confidence and let the small talk flow!

Put your Small Talk to Practice! Join Speaking Courses with BELS at our English Language Schools in Malta and Gozo or Online.

Do you struggle to speak in English, even though you know the grammar, theory and phrases? Do you stutter and get anxious whenever you’re in a situation where you need to speak in English? You’re not alone – that’s a common situation for second language learners who learned English in their home country without exposure to English in a natural setting.

It doesn’t have to be that way anymore. At BELS, our expertise is to teach English in a communicative and practical way to get you to speak quickly and confidently. Write to us at [email protected] to connect with a consultant and learn how our courses can benefit you.