1 Having Casual Conversations in English

Having Casual Conversations in English

Even though casual conversation is something that we have to do almost every day, it can be one of the hardest parts of using an additional language. Having good conversations requires many different skills, such as:

• listening to and understanding other speakers
• adding meaning to a conversation with what we say
• asking for clarification if we don’t understand something
• being polite and respectful in our language and choice of topic

Casual conversations may happen anywhere: with classmates at school, a stranger at a bus stop, or with coworkers on a work break. This chapter will look at a common kind of casual conversation called small talk to help you feel more comfortable in these settings.

What is Small Talk?

Small talk is the light, casual conversation people have to get to know each other better or spend time together in a friendly way. It’s a way to connect with others by discussing general, non-controversial topics like the weather, hobbies, or recent events. Being good at small talk can help you feel more comfortable in social situations and make new friends.

Why Small Talk is Important

1. Builds Relationships: Small talk helps you get to know others and build friendships.
2. Creates a Friendly Atmosphere: It makes social interactions more pleasant.
3. Shows Politeness and Interest: Engaging in small talk shows that you care about the other person.

Starting Conversations

Starting a conversation can sometimes feel tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some simple ways to begin:

1. Ask a Question: Questions are a great way to show interest and get the other person talking.
2. Give a Compliment: Compliments can make people feel good and open up.
3. Make an Observation: Commenting on your surroundings or a shared experience can be a natural conversation starter.

Example Phrases and Sentence Starters for Starting Conversations

1. Questions:
   • “How are you today?”
   • “What do you think of this weather?”
   • “Do you have any plans for the weekend?”
   • “Have you seen any good movies lately?”
2. Compliments:
   • “I really like your shoes. Where did you get them?”
   • “You did a great job on the presentation.”
   • “That’s a nice jacket! It looks good on you.”
3. Observations:

• • “This park is so beautiful.”
  • “I noticed you enjoy reading. What’s your favorite book?”
  • “This class is really interesting, don’t you think?”

Can you think of any other questions, compliments, or observations you can use to start a conversation?

Ending Conversations

Ending a conversation politely is just as important as starting one. Here are some ways to wrap things up:

1. Show Appreciation: Thank the person for the conversation.
2. Make Plans: Suggest continuing the conversation another time.
3. Excuse Yourself: Politely excuse yourself if you need to leave.

Example Phrases and Sentence Starters for Ending Conversations

1. Showing Appreciation:
   • “It was great talking to you.”
   • “Thanks for the chat!”
   • “I enjoyed our conversation.”
2. Making Plans:
   • “Let’s catch up again soon.”
   • “We should talk more about this later.”
   • “Would you like to grab coffee sometime?”
3. Excusing Yourself:
   • “I need to get going, but it was nice talking to you.”
   • “I have to run. Have a great day!”
   • “I have another appointment, but let’s talk again soon.”

Connecting with Conversation Partners

To keep a conversation going, try these strategies:

1. Ask Follow-Up Questions: Show that you’re interested by asking more about what the other person said.
2. Share Something About Yourself: Balance the conversation by adding your own thoughts or experiences.
3. Stay Positive: Keep the tone light and upbeat.

Example Phrases and Sentence Starters for Connecting in a Conversation

1. Follow-Up Questions:
   • “How did you get into that hobby?”
   • “What do you like most about your job?”
   • “Can you tell me more about that?”
2. Sharing About Yourself:
   • “I also love hiking. My favorite trail is…”
   • “I read a book recently that you might like.”
   • “I’ve been learning to cook new recipes.”
3. Staying Positive:
   • “That sounds really fun!”
   • “What a great idea!”
   • “I’d love to hear more about that.”

Activities for Practicing Small Talk

Here are three fun activities to help you practice starting and ending conversations and engaging in small talk:

Activity 1: Conversation Role-Play

1. Pair up with a classmate.
2. One person starts the conversation using a question, compliment, or observation.
3. Have a two-minute conversation.
4. Practice ending the conversation politely.
5. Switch roles and repeat.

Activity 2: Small Talk Bingo

1. Create bingo cards with different small talk phrases and topics (e.g., weather, hobbies, recent movies).
2. Walk around the classroom and start conversations with different classmates.
3. When you use a phrase or discuss a topic on your card, mark it off.
4. The first person to get five in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins.

Activity 3: Conversation Chain

1. Form a circle with your classmates.
2. The first person starts a conversation with their neighbor using a small talk phrase.
3. After a minute, the next person continues the conversation by responding and then starting a new topic with the next person in the circle.
4. Continue around the circle until everyone has had a turn.