How to Master Small Talk in English with 3 Simple Rules

Where are you from? What did you do last weekend? What are your hobbies? These are questions you’ve probably learned for small talk in English. But are there better questions to ask and is small talk necessary?

Like me, you don’t like making small talk. Especially in English. Not only does it seem silly but you’re not sure what questions to ask.

The truth is, small talk has an important role in English culture and conversation. Yes, small talk is polite but unimportant conversation but…

We use small talk to get to know others and to find a connection. It helps us start a conversation when we meet someone for the first time or to get comfortable in a stressful situation such as a job interview or to help pass the time.

With the right tools and understanding of how small talk in English works, you will be able to confidently start and continue a small talk conversation in English.

That's what you'll get in today's lesson, plus my favorite small talk questions in English.

👉 Want more lessons on small talk in English?

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★ ENGLISH CONFIDENCE & FLUENCY ONLINE

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★ LEARN WITH ME

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Hi, I’m Annemarie — an English teacher whose expertise is in spoken communication, confidence-building, and fluency. Everything I do at Speak Confident English is designed to help you get the confidence you want for your life and work in English. On my YouTube channel, I share weekly lessons with strategies, skills, and resources to help you:

● Have English conversations that are fun
● Communicate clearly without getting stuck
● Interview and get the job you want
● Share your opinions in a business meeting
● Make friends easily and start a conversation with anyone in English
● Go to the grocery store, order a coffee, and live in English, without stress
● Feel comfortable and confident with your voice in English

Thank you for watching my videos and trusting me to support you on your English confidence journey.

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★ CONNECT WITH ME:

[ruthuriostegui]

I’ve been watching your videos for about two weeks and I love them all! you have the best polite, educated and smartest ways to say almost anything and of course you have the perfect voice for it! Thank you so much for your time and effort you seriously help people with all your topics and advices and you talk about many situations that I’ve found myself in through my english learning journey! I follow many different fluency guides on Youtube and you definitely are the best one of all! God bless you 😊

[YankaZabka]

After browsing through English YouTube content, it's truly a relief to hear such well-constructed, grammatically correct, and pleasant speech. Thank you for your lessons!

[sabermelhor]

I’ve found your you tube channel this week and I’m really impressed. You are just perfect. Your voice, the way you gesticule, your appearance, the scenario, your confidence ...everything makes your lessons so pleasant. I’ve been watching really very good channels, but, so far, you are the best.

[רבקהכהנא-וע]

Thanks so much for your wonderful and useful tips. My way is a general "Let people talk about themselves and listen to them wholeheartedly!" In our era, people yearn for a listening ear. This has never failed me:) I listen carefully and ask other questions based on what they've just told me. (I start by commenting positively about things such as (learned it from you:) the lovely food at the wedding reception/How beautiful her jewelry is (she'll tell me how/when/where she got it) How wonderful it is to see her again, it's been awhile (she'll surely explain what has kept her busy). I'm constantly looking for a cue what she is keen to tell me about herself. We're both happy! She is happy to be talking about herself and I'm just happy she is doing most of the talking:) (in whichever language we use). I'm sure your excellent, well-presented strategies will make my small talk episodes more sensational and less perplexing!!

[YeYeD]

I love your pronunciation, I like see your videos an I feel I am improving my english level doing it.

[kasthuribalakrishnan]

Often I struggle in having small talk with strangers. Thank you annemarie for this lesson. You are like a life coach

[mustaphanouhi]

Great lesson, Thank you !
My favorite small top question is: "If you can travel anywhere, where would you go ? "
Ther'is my tip for you guys: Don't judge people and listen !

[mohammadidrees]

Anne, you are the best & awesome ambassador for the English language & culture !

[thilakasirispathiranage]

Thanks. Appreciate it. I'm trying to improve my memory and scrub out all of my bad memories.

[mariuszsroka]

I enjoy watching your lessons with pleasure

[successfultoday]

you are great teacher..i like your tropic every things ..i can understand your tropic .i felt confident myself ..thanks a lot ..

[irenemugah]

Thanks Annmarie, you are a wonderful teacher to me and others

[DineshSinghNegiblog]

I like your all videos and I m learning speaking English thanks

[sabinaslmn]

Thanks for Good advice and building confidence

[hamedamanzadeh]

Thanks for these useful & practical rules. Your lessons are fantastic.

[niksclassroom]

Recently I have started watching your vedios. those vedios are very useful to me for learning English. thank you a lot.

[danielandolini]

I like so much, I am learning every day with Anne Marie, many thanks for share this advices!!!

[koteza]

Hi how are you doing? To be honest, I just knew you as great online contributor or teacher. I think it it pretty late to know you. I will not miss further more teaching episodes. Thanks for sharing is caring 😍

[mariamyaka]

You're the bestest 💓 thanks a lot 🙏

[mimibuk]

You are great teacher hope success in the rest of your life