How to Improve Your Skills with Online English Conversation | Tips for Beginners to Enjoy It

I am Hisae, your “English Conversation Debut Coach.”

I started online English conversation at the age of 45 and have been doing it for seven full years now.
I have used services from over 10 different companies so far.

In online English conversation lessons, I often hear people say,
“I don't know what to talk about during small talk or greetings.”

Actually, in the beginning, I also thought it was just English practice, so I would only talk about self-introductions or the weather as the teacher asked.

But it gradually became boring, and I started to feel,
“I don't feel like I'm going to be able to speak English like this...”

However, that “small talk” is actually a chance to improve your English conversation skills.
This time, I will share some tips on how to do that.

Don't just end it with "I'm good."

As a beginner, it's difficult to speak freely, so I recommend choosing a textbook for your lessons first.

But before starting the textbook, there is alwaystime for greetings and small talk.

Knowing how to make the most of this small talk is the key to making your lessons more fulfilling.

You are always asked "How are you?" at the beginning of a lesson.
Do you tend to just end it with"I'm good."?

If you don't say anything else, it tends to lead to self-introductions or safe topics like the weather.
It is important to get used to self-introductions, so that is fine at first.

But,once you get used to it, try adding one more sentence.

It's a waste to only use the textbook in lessons

Actually, teachers are also trying to figure out, “Does this student want to focus on the textbook? Or would they prefer more casual conversation?”

Teachers are basically in a position where they must follow the manual, so if you don't say anything, they will just proceed with the textbook.

That is why, when a student initiates a conversation, the teacher feels relieved and will actively expand on the topic.

That said, it takes courage to suddenly bring up a topic with a new teacher.

That is why I recommend doing it during yoursecond or third lesson.Once they remember your face, try to take the plunge and add one more sentence.

Just by saying, “I did this today,” and talking about a small event, the conversation will naturally flow.

Talk about small daily events

Just by adding one sentence, the conversation will expand significantly.

For example, when answering "How are you?", try continuing like this after saying I'm good.

• I was happy to find a bargain at the supermarket.
  ▶ I was happy because I found a bargain at the supermarket.
  → You might get a question back like, "What did you buy?"

• I got a haircut.
  ▶ I got a haircut today.
  → You might get a compliment like, "That looks nice!" or "I like your new style."

• My shoulders are very stiff today.
  ▶ I have a bad stiff shoulder today.
  → This can lead to a conversation about health, such as "Me, too."

• I'm sleep-deprived because I watched a drama last night.
  ▶ I’m sleepy because I watched a drama last night.
  → It can expand into a discussion about the show, such as "What drama did you watch?"

These little snippets of daily life are enough.

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Good teachers will respond with questions from there, so the conversation will expand more and more.
When you find a teacher who helps expand the conversation, learning becomes much more fun.

In Conclusion

When I was taking lessons passively, I couldn't really get to the point where I could speak well.
That is precisely why I realize that adding a small comment of your own is important.

Teachers are actually waiting for a "conversation starter" too.

Just by sharing a little bit about your daily life, online English conversation becomes much more fun and practical.

Isn't "daily English conversation" just an extension of small talk, after all?

That "daily life" is actually different for everyone, and it's surprisingly difficult.
It is important to start by being able to talk about things that relate to you.

If you're just doing textbook exercises, you can do that through self-study, right?
That is why, in online English conversation, sharing your "little daily life" with the teacher is important.

By doing that, you will gradually be able to say "what you want to say."

Summary

How beginners can build their skills in online English conversation

• Add a comment after "I'm good." to expand the conversation

• Try making a small thing that happened today a topic of conversation

• Accumulating small bits of small talk builds the power to "speak"

Thank you for reading until the end.

In this note, based on my own experience of starting English conversation in my 40s, I share tips that help beginners learn with peace of mind and stay consistent.
I have also compiled other articles useful for English conversation learning below👇

I have also compiled other articles useful for English conversation learning below👇

"I want to try it, but I don't know where to start."
I would be happy if I could support the first step for those who feel that way🌸

🟢 Official LINE: Delivering tips for enjoying English conversation for those in their 40s and 50s
I share tips to resolve anxieties like "Where should I start?" or "Will I be okay?"
👉 [Click here to add the official LINE as a friend]

🌸 Trial Course: Experience the feeling of "I said it!" with 3 patterns. Why not grasp the "feeling of speaking" in one hour? I am currently holding trial courses on Street Academy.
👉 [Click here for the Street Academy course page]