Today you’ll get a two-step strategy for starting English conversations in a low-risk way for more connections in English.
The strategy that you can use is to find the common situation, make a comment and see how the person reacts.
If they respond to you then you can go deeper into conversation and ask another question.
The point of this strategy is to take baby steps at starting conversations in a low risk way.
“Thank you! These are very useful tips in Episode 523. However, I find it more challenging or more awkward to jump into a casual conversation during lunch break or morning tea at work . I’m teaching Chinese at a high school in Melbourne, Australia. I speak relatively fluent English, but when it comes to social situations like morning tea or after work drink, I just couldn’t mingle in. Do you have any tips?
-Sarah, AEE Listener
Here are the steps:
- 1- Find the shared circumstance and see how the person reacts when you make a comment about it. For example, say something about the weather and see if they are open to talking with you. This helps you make sure you only try to start a conversation with someone who really wants to talk with you.
- 2- Ask the person a related question and then drill down deeper.
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Examples of shared circumstances and comments:
- You are at a stressful meeting at work: “Oh everyone seems so stressed out today huh?”
- You park your car at someone’s party at the same time as someone else and the other person also just came off the freeway too. You say, “Oh traffic is crazy today, huh?”
Listen to the episode to get some examples and role plays.
