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General English · Speaking · B1

Starting and maintaining conversations

Open with shared context and develop an exchange without turning it into an interview.

Lesson 1 · About 22 minutes

Learn: your objectives

  • Choose an opening suited to the situation.
  • Connect a follow-up with a relevant contribution.

Warm-up

Think about these questions. Say a short answer aloud.

  • What could you say to someone at a community event?
  • Which questions might feel too personal for a first conversation?

Useful language

Opening and connecting

Is this your first time …?

Start from the shared activity.

Is this your first time at this book group?

What brought you here?

Invite a reason for joining without demanding private details.

I heard about it from a friend. What brought you here?

That reminds me of …

Connect briefly to a relevant experience.

That reminds me of a reading event at my old college.

Notice: model speaking

Read aloud. Notice how the speakers use the phrases and respond to each other.

Farida: Is this your first time at the book group?

Mark: Yes. I moved nearby recently and wanted to meet people.

Farida: Welcome! What sort of books do you enjoy?

Mark: Mostly travel stories. I like hearing about ordinary life in other places.

Farida: Me too. I recently read one about a long train journey. What brought you to this particular group?

Mark: The library recommended it. It's nice that everyone chooses a book together.

Speaking strategy

Start with a shared setting, listen for a detail, then respond to that detail. Add a short contribution of your own so the exchange is not only questions.

Pronunciation & fluency focus

A brief pause after a reply lets you choose a connected question. You can say ‘That's interesting’ naturally, but avoid repeating it after every turn.

Teaching guidance, not an analysis of your voice.

Use: controlled practice

Choose a useful response for each situation. Check when all questions are answered. These are phrase exercises, not a speaking assessment.

1. You meet someone at a pottery workshop. Choose a context-based opening.
2. A partner mentions learning photography. Develop that detail.
3. Avoid making an exchange feel like an interview.
4. Someone gives a short answer and looks ready to leave. Respond appropriately.
5. Which connection keeps the original speaker's topic?

Build your answer

Write a few keywords. Then look away and speak. Notes stay on this page only.

Speak: your challenge

Role-play a 90-second first conversation at a local event. Include both speakers, a shared-context opening, two connected follow-ups and a polite ending.

Use an imagined event. Avoid demanding personal information from someone you have just met.

Speak aloud. This page does not record, listen to or assess your speech. There is no automatic speaking score.

Self-check

Open to everyone. Answers, notes and checklists are not saved to an account. These original lessons use level labels to organize learning; completion is not official CEFR certification or proof of a level.