Learn English Conversation - How to Have a Conversation in English
We’ve got nothing to talk about!
I just have no idea what to say to you.
Let’s do a lesson about how to have a conversation in English.
Welcome to Oxford Online English!
Do you find it difficult to start conversations in English?
Do you feel that you don’t know what to say?
Speaking a foreign language is hard work.
You have to remember foreign words, pronounce sounds which your mouth isn’t used to, and
now you have to build a conversation, too.
In this lesson, you’ll see some simple, effective tips to help you start, develop
and end a conversation in English.
Let’s start at the very beginning.
You’ll see three easy ways to start a conversation in English.
Where are you from, Stephanie?
So, what did you think of the film?
It was… interesting.
Does that mean you didn’t like it?
I’m glad I saw it, but I wouldn’t watch it again.
Oh, hey, I saw some of your pictures from your trip.
What kind of camera do you use?
Actually, I just use my phone.
First of all, if you don’t know the other person, of course you should introduce yourself.
It can be awkward if you start talking and then you realise an hour later that you don’t
You saw three ways to start a conversation.
Two: make a comment or ask a question about the situation you’re in:
What did you think of the film?
Three: compliment the other person:
I thought your presentation was really interesting.
I’ve heard so many good things about you.
Don’t think too much about what you say first.
When you start a conversation, it’s more important to say something, even if it’s
Introduce yourself, say something simple, and you’ve started a conversation.
Next, you need to build the conversation.
Yeah.
Peter told me you’re in a band?
I play guitar, and we just play together for fun.
I play the guitar too, actually.
What kind of thing do you play?
Actually, I play classical guitar.
I just do it as a hobby; I’m not that good, but I enjoy it.
Anyway, how do you know Peter?
We used to work together, and we stayed in touch.
Here, you saw three useful things you can do to build a conversation in English.
First idea: make a reference to something you have in common.
For example, do you know that the other person is a football fan?
Ask:
Or: Did you see the City game on Sunday?
Or: What’s your prediction for the cup final next weekend?
If you meet someone while you’re travelling, you could ask:
Do you know any good places to eat around here?
We said that you saw three ways to continue a conversation.
Ask the other person about themselves and their life.
People generally like to talk about themselves, and they like it when other people are interested
in them, so this can be very effective.
Your job sounds really difficult.
I heard you’re really into cooking.
What kind of stuff do you like to make?
Finally, you can also continue the conversation by referring to someone you both know, like
this:
I heard he can be quite difficult.
Again, it’s more important to say something, even if it’s something very basic.
When you’ve just started talking to someone, anything is better than saying nothing.
The longer you can keep the conversation going, the more you’ll learn about each other,
and the more topics you’ll have to explore.
Let’s look at some other important points to think about as your conversation continues.
Well, we started in Madrid, and then…
We found a really great homestay near the centre, and…
Well, yeah, a couple of times, but…
Did you go to the Royal Palace?
Yeah, so as I was saying, it’s basically the best film ever.
I mean, people don’t rate Michael Bay, but I really think the man’s a genius, you know?
I’ve seen it twice at the cinema already.
The last time I went it was so loud that I still couldn’t hear properly the next morning.
I’m still planning to see it again this weekend, though.
I hope you realise that these were examples of what not to do when you want to build a
What was the problem in each one?
In both conversations, there was a lack of balance.
In the first conversation, I was asking too many questions!
A conversation shouldn’t sound like a police interrogation.
In the second conversation, I spoke too much, even though Stephanie clearly wasn’t interested
For a successful conversation, you need balance.
You need to balance asking questions and saying what you think.
You need to balance speaking and listening.
Let’s look at how those conversations could have gone better:
Well, we started in Madrid, and then we spent a few days in Andalucia.
Wow!
When we were there, we stayed at this really cool guesthouse near the Parque de El Retiro.
Did you spend any time around there?
Actually, we were staying a bit further out.
We did walk past there, though.
There are some great places further out, too.
What did you think of the food?
What?
I really think Michael Bay is one of the best directors alive.
What, you don’t like his films?
No.
I think a good movie needs more than explosions and robots.
I was hoping you’d come to the cinema with me to watch it.
I thought you’d already seen it?
The last time, the sound system was so loud that I couldn’t hear properly the next morning.
Maybe you should go to the doctor’s, and you definitely shouldn’t go to see it again.
Balancing your conversations helps you to keep the other person engaged, which means
the conversation will flow easily and naturally.
Anyway, let’s talk about something else.
Sometimes, people complain to us about making conversation in English: “I don’t know
what to talk about!”
Here’s the thing: you can talk about almost anything you want.
Sometimes, the other person isn’t interested in what you’re saying.
Sometimes, you’re not interested in what the other person’s saying.
Sometimes, neither of you is interested in what you’re talking about.
Seen any good TV shows recently?
Oh…
So, er, what are you doing this weekend?
When I don’t have to work, I just stay at home.
Anyway, whereabouts do you live?
Yeah, I’ve had this really bad cough for weeks.
All this green stuff keeps coming out of me.
I don’t know when it’s going to stop.
Can we please talk about something else?
The easiest way is just to… change the subject!
If what you’re talking about isn’t going anywhere, ask a question or make a comment
It’s common to introduce a change of subject with a word like so or anyway.
So, what are you doing this weekend?
Anyway, whereabouts do you live?
If you’re feeling uncomfortable with a conversation topic, you might clearly ask to change the
Can we talk about something else?
I don’t really want to talk about that.
Remember that if you use phrases like these, you’re clearly showing the other person
that you’re uncomfortable with the conversation.
If you say something like this, make sure that you mean it.
Finally, let’s see one of the most important skills for having good conversations in English:
…so then I say to her, ‘You must be joking!’, and she’s all like, ‘No’, and I’m
all like, ‘That is so crazy!’, and then…
Adele, I hate to be rude, but I have to be somewhere else.
That’s exactly what I want to get into!
So, what’s the best way to get a job with your company?
Listen, it’s been great talking to you, but I should get back to work.
Can I ask you my questions later?
But, I don’t have your phone number!
Have you finished the debugging work?
Is there any chance you can ask someone to help me?
Anyway, I won’t keep you any longer.
Try to have the work done by tomorrow evening.
Here, you saw three short conversations with three different ways to leave a conversation.
Here are the three phrases you saw:
It’s been great talking to you, but...
I won’t keep you any longer.
You can also add the person’s name to make it sound more personal:
Stephanie, I hate to be rude, but…
Paul, it’s been great talking to you, but…
You can make these phrases sound stronger by adding a word like look or listen at the
Listen, it’s been great talking to you, but…
Saying it like this adds emphasis and makes it extra clear that the conversation is finishing.
After the word but, make an excuse:
Stephanie, I hate to be rude, but I have to catch the last metro.
Paul, it’s been great talking to you, but there are some other people here I need to
Another good way to leave a conversation is to pretend that you’re stopping the other
I won’t keep you any longer.
Or: I’ll let you get back to work.
On the phone, it’s common to say:
This is a clear signal that the conversation is ending.
Then, say goodbye, and you’re finished!
You can see that starting, developing and ending a conversation in English is quite
Use the tips and language from this lesson, and you’ll be able to have natural conversations
Anyway, it’s been great talking to you, but we really have to go!
Don’t forget to check out our website for more free English lessons like this one: Oxford