Small talk is light conversation about everyday things. Making small talk is a good way to make new friends or know people better. If you’re learning English, it’s also a great way to practice your English skills.
Even for those who speak English fluently, small talk can be challenging. But fear not! We’re here to help!
Read on for some big tips to help you get better at small talk.
1. Start with good small talk topics. Things like the weather, current news, sports, and entertainment are usually safe.
Talk about things that won’t make the other person comfortable or, worse, angry. It’s always good to stay away from controversial topics, like politics and religion.
Here’s a tip! Let the other person lead the way. When he starts talking about a topic, support it by asking a question or making a comment.
2. Expand the conversation. Connect what the other person says to other topics. Then, ask him a question related to the new topic.
For example, when he tells you about his vacation, you can say, “Speaking of vacations, I tried some great Thai food in our last vacation. Have you ever tried Thai food?”
3. End the conversation nicely. There are steps to ending small talk well. First, tell the person you need to go soon. Next, thank him for the conversation. Then, mention something he said. Finally, leave an opportunity for future conversation.
You can say something like, “I have to go, but I really enjoyed our chat. I’ll try that Ethiopian restaurant you recommended. Let’s grab coffee sometime so you can tell me more about your food adventures.”
Remember: Small talk may be about small topics, but it’s also about making connections in a big way.
At Learntalk, we have English speaking lessons on different topics. These lessons are guaranteed to help you get better at small talk. Get in touch with us if you want to start having awesome conversations!
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