Conversation Skills
Master the fundamentals of English conversation
Module 3: Conversations Skills
Skill 2 – Small Talk
Small talk refers to short, casual conversations about simple and non-serious topics. It is used to start a conversation, fill silence, or make social interactions more comfortable. Small talk often happens between people who do not know each other well or when meeting acquaintances in informal situations.
| Topic | Example Question | Example Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | It’s a nice day, isn’t it? | Yes, the sun is shining. |
| Hobbies | What do you like to do in your free time? | I like reading books. |
| Work/School | How’s work going? | It’s going well, thanks. |
| Weekend Plans | Do you have plans for the weekend? | Yes, I’m going to visit my family. |
| Surroundings | This café is really nice. | Yes, I love the atmosphere here. |
Practices
Practice 1 – Fill in the blanks
Complete the small talk conversation.
- A: “Hi, how’s your __________?”
- B: “It’s going well, thanks. How about __________?”
- A: “Not bad, just busy with work.”
Practice 2 – Match the topics to the sentences
- A. Weather
- B. Weekend Plans
- C. Work/School
- D. Surroundings
- E. Hobbies
- “I like playing the guitar in my free time.” → ___
- “This park is beautiful, isn’t it?” → ___
- “Do you have plans for Saturday?” → ___
- “It’s really windy today.” → ___
- “How’s school going these days?” → ___
Practice 3 – Speaking Practice
Role-play with a partner:
Start a conversation using one of the topics from the table.
Continue the conversation for 4–5 exchanges.
Switch roles and try a different topic.
Example:
A: Hi, have you been to this café before?
B: Yes, I come here every week.
A: The coffee here is really good.
B: I agree, and the desserts are delicious too.
Answer Key & Explanation
Practice 1 – Fill in the blanks
- A: “Hi, how’s your day?”
- B: “It’s going well, thanks. How about you?”
Explanation: “How’s your day?” is a common small talk question; “you” is used to return the question politely.
Practice 2 – Match the topics to the sentences
- 1 → E. Hobbies – Playing the guitar is a free-time activity.
- 2 → D. Surroundings – Talking about the park refers to the current environment.
- 3 → B. Weekend Plans – Asking about Saturday refers to future plans for the weekend.
- 4 → A. Weather – Windy conditions are a weather topic.
- 5 → C. Work/School – Asking about school progress is a work/study topic.
Practice 3 – Speaking Practice
No single correct answer — any response is acceptable as long as it continues the conversation naturally.
Tip: Students should try to give short but complete answers, then return a question to keep the talk going.
Example:
A: It’s a nice day, isn’t it?
B: Yes, it’s warm and sunny. How’s your week going?