Can small talk actually improve your English?

Dec 18, 2025
4 min read

How to sound natural when starting conversations in English

Hey there,

Welcome back, or welcome if you’re new here! Today’s topic is quite an interesting one! Probably something all of us have to deal with at some point, and most of us still fear it… Small talk! But before we dive into today’s topic, I have to share something veeery exciting with you…

Okay, you might be wondering about what I mean by ‘we’re back’... Well, drum roll, please… 🥁🥁🥁

After A FULL YEAR without immersive English courses in London, we are finally bringing back our 1-week English Immersion Course in London this coming July 2026 🤩

This is actually our most hands-on learning experience, as you’ll spend an entire week speaking, learning, exploring London AND practising English in real-life scenarios! Students often say they learn more in one week of immersion than in months of normal English classes because everything feels alive, real and natural 😏 We only have a few spots left, so if you want more information, reply to this email with London 2026.

Now, speaking of ‘real-life English’, today’s topic couldn’t be more connected to that experience!

Small talk in English (What to say and how to say it naturally)

Why small talk matters

When it comes to learning English, most people feel that small talk is awkward or even meaningless… until they need it and have no idea what to say. I have to be honest with you, most of the time, it is not the vocabulary that is difficult. It’s sounding natural, using tone and timing correctly, and knowing what topics are safe to talk about (remember, learning a language is also cultural!). Small talk is actually one of the easiest ways to practise English regularly, as you can do it with anyone in any scenario, think of going to a café, talking to someone in a lift, or cleaning staff… The list goes on! It helps you train confidence (suuuper important), fluency and spontaneity, especially when speaking to strangers (which is something all of us are a tiny bit scared of… right?).

Just remember one thing: Good small talk is not about deep conversations. Think of it as the opening door to them!

What to say: natural conversation starters

You are probably asking yourself, What can I even say?? Well, let me give you some examples:

The queue is moving surprisingly fast. Does it always look like this here?
I can never predict this weather lately… (Brits love talking about the weather)
I just tried their new seasonal drink! Have you had it yet?
The meeting felt quite long. How was it for you?
This place is busier than I expected. Is it always like this?
The train is unusually quiet today… Do you take this route often?
I like your laptop case. Where did you get it?

How to say it naturally

I have spoken about tone and intonation a lot in previous newsletters, as they are crucial when it comes to speaking naturally, and here are some things we would focus on to sound natural:

Using a rising tone for friendly curiosity: A rising tone at the end can show that you’re open and not trying to interrogate someone.
Keeping questions light and short: Short sentences feel casual and not too formal. Think of: “Busy day?” or “Long commute?
Adding small comments before questions. This makes the question feel less direct and more friendly, e.g. “I’m still warming up to this weather. Are you used to it?”
Matching their energy. This is so important! If the person you’re talking to gives you short answers, lower the intensity (they might not be interested in taking in that moment). However, if they do respond openly, feel free to continue the conversation without problems.

What NOT to do

Now, I’ve spoken a lot about what and how to say… But what are the things that you should avoid when it comes to small talk? I won’t give you an extensive list, as I don’t want to overwhelm you, but try to keep these things in the back of your mind:

Avoid turning small talk into a job interview. Try to avoid asking things that might be too personal for a stranger (e.g. Where are you from?)
Avoid heavy topics early on (or at all). These could be politics, money, personal issues, etc.
Avoid overexplaining yourself. This is a common learner habit; many say things like “Sorry, my English is not good”. You don’t need to say these things. People, especially natives, will notice if you’re still learning, and most of the time, you can just ask them to repeat what they said if you didn’t understand them.

Before we finish off, I want you to remember that small talk is not about being perfect. It is about being present and (sometimes) taking the first step. This is actually a very powerful tool, because if you master the art of starting conversations, you will never run out of chances to practise English 😉

And what better way to put everything you just learnt into practice than by joining us for the full real-life experience next July. Don’t forget to reply with London 2026. We would love to have you with us in London!

Until next time!

Camila