This post is also available in Spanish.
Small talk in English is a really useful tool when we want to start a conversation with someone or fill an awkward silence. We do it almost every day in our native langugae, but it isn´t so easy when you have to do it in another language, for example, English. In fact, our students often tell us that they find it relatively easy talking about professional or familiar subjects, but it is much more difficult when they have to make small talk, without a context and therefore without a conversation thread to follow.
If you can feel relaxed when making small talk with someone in English, for example, an overseas work colleague who has travelled for a meeting, or your mother in law on a visit from England (in the case of my wonderful boyfriend … poor guy!), you will find it much more comfortable and much easier, and you will speak English much better and more fluently.
Which topics do people use to make small talk in your country? One of the favourite topics of British people is the weather! We are a bit (very) obsessed with this topic. According to a study on the BBC, «more than nine in 10 Brits have talked about the weather in the last six hours». In the same study, they explain that in other countries, perhaps with a more stable climate, they use other topics to make small talk. But I think that the weather is a pretty universal theme!
So, in order to really make small talk in English, you need to know a bit more than just the basic words like «its hot» or «its cold» or «its raining» and so on. The more vocabulary and expressions you have in your personal English dictionary, the better you can express yourself and the more fluent your conversation will be. Here are some words you can use when it is hot, cold or wet:
With these words in your vocabulary, you will be able to create much more expressive sentences when talking about the weather and your small talk will be much more interesting!
If you want to practice using any of this vocabulary, you could write some sentences in the comments section below describing the weather today or even the most extreme weather you have ever experienced.
Oh, and one more useful tip before I finish for today. Try to get into the habit of collecting any new and interesting vocabulary you come across and make a note of it either on your mobile phone or in a notebook. I always carry a notebook around with me (call me old-fashioned, but I just remember things better when I write them down) and when I see or hear a new word that I want to use, I add it there. That way, I can look up the word easily next time I want to put it in a sentence.
I hope you have found this article useful and, if you find yourself making small talk in English, please tell us about it!
Big hugs and have a happy day!
