Many English learners worry about running out of things to say. The good news is that you don’t always need a large vocabulary to have a good conversation. If you ask follow-up questions, show interest, and add your own ideas, you can keep a conversation going naturally. Try not to spend too much time thinking about the “perfect” sentence when you are talking to someone. Here are some tips to help you to be a natural at conversation.
Show Genuine Interest
People enjoy talking to someone who listens carefully. When someone shares information, avoid giving only a short reply like “That’s nice” or “Yes”. Instead, ask a question that encourages them to continue.
Here’s an example.
Linda: I started learning photography last year.
Daniel: That’s interesting! What made you decide to take it up?
Linda: I wanted a hobby that would get me outdoors.
Daniel: What do you enjoy most about photography?
Notice that each question relates directly to the previous answer?
Ask Follow-up Questions
One of the easiest ways to continue a conversation is to ask “how,” “why,” “when,” “where,” or “what happened next?”
Here’s an example of that.
Robert: I visited Vancouver during the summer.
Diane: How long were you there?
Robert: About a week.
Diane: What was your favourite place to visit?
Robert: Stanley Park.
Diane: I’ve heard it’s beautiful. Did you rent a bike or walk around?
Each question helps the conversation continue naturally.
Share Your Own Experience
A conversation should be balanced. After asking questions, share something about yourself.
Example:
Heather: I love hiking in the mountains.
Sally: I haven’t tried mountain hiking yet, but I really enjoy camping in provincial parks. Last summer, my friends and I spent three days at Algonquin Park. Have you ever gone camping during one of your hiking trips?
By sharing a personal experience, you create another topic to discuss.
Encourage the Speaker to Continue Speaking
Use short expressions that show you are listening.
- Really?
- That sounds exciting!
- No way!
- How did you feel about that?
- Could you tell me more?
- What happened after that?
- So you mean that . . .
These expressions encourage the other person to keep talking. People love talking about themselves.
Build on the Topic
Instead of changing the subject too quickly, stay with the current topic.
Example:
Pablo: I just bought an electric car.
Mike: Congratulations! What made you choose an electric car instead of a gas-powered one?
Pablo: I wanted to save money on fuel.
Mike: Have you saved a lot of money?
A: Yes, about $200 per month.
B: Is it difficult to find charging stations?
Each question explores a different part of the same topic.
Avoid Conversation Killers
Don’t use the words “Yes”, “No”, or “Maybe” without adding anything else because they will stop a conversation immediately. Instead, add a little more information.
Example 1:
Jennifer: Do you often go to the beach with your family?
Lucy: Yes, I usually go there with my family. We try to visit at least once every few months. The kids love building sand castles.
Example 2:
Diego: Have you ever tried scuba diving?
Sam: No, but I’d like to try it someday. It looks like a lot of fun, and I’ve heard many people say it’s a great experience.
Example 3:
Susan: Do you usually go sailing on the weekend?
Robert: It depends on my schedule. If I’m free on a weekend, I usually go.
These longer answers make it easier for the other person to respond.
Some additional tips:
To become a better conversationalist:
- Listen more than you speak.
- Ask one follow-up question after every answer.
- Share a related experience from your own life.
- Use expressions such as Really?, What happened next?, and How did you feel about that?
- Don’t worry about making small grammar mistakes. Most people appreciate your effort to communicate.
A good conversation is not about speaking continuously. It is about showing curiosity, listening carefully, and helping the other person feel comfortable sharing their ideas. The more you practice these skills, the more natural your English conversations will become.
