Starting a conversation can be difficult, no matter if English is your first language or not.

In this Advanced English lesson, we share five strategies for starting a conversation in English so that you can be confident and comfortable in any communication situation.

Let's get started!

(1) Remark on Context

Use your environment! What location are you in that the conversation is taking place?

Are you at a conference? Are you in a cozy cafe? Are you at work? Are you at the gym?

Point out the environment and use that as a starting point.

For example, if you're at a conference you can ask someone “So, what brings you to the conference?” or “How did you find that talk?”

It's amazing how many conversation starter topics we can find if we use our surroundings. Get creative with this one and it works like a charm. It's also fun!

(2) Pay a Compliment

Genuine compliments are well-received.

There's no need to be weird or sketchy about it.

For example, if you like someone's hat, say so! If you like their Starbucks order, tell them that!

You can pay someone a compliment without making the person feel uncomfortable.

Best to focus on something that is not very personal and avoid making comments about one's appearance such as facial features.

After all, this is a complete stranger you're talking to here!

Other than that, complimenting someone on their choice of Starbucks beverage or on their umbrella is totally fair game! 

Make it personal enough, without getting awkward.

(3) Ask their Opinion

If you're in a cafe, you might ask someone their opinion about the matcha latte that you're eyeing.

You could be in the library or bookstore, and ask someone's opinion about an author or genre.

Asking someone for their opinion is a great way to spark a conversation because it can be friendly without getting weird or awkward. 

And it can lead to a great conversation about the topic and even segue into a new subject if you find you're clicking.

(4) Asking for Advice

Everyone likes giving advice. It's a good feeling to be able to share your learnings, experience, and knowledge with another person.

Starting off with “would you suggest" can be a good opener. For example, you can say “Would you suggest the poppy seed muffin or the blueberry?" or “Would you suggest the latte or americano?” 

This shows that you value someone's thoughts enough to be taking advice from them.

Asking for advice is a veiled compliment.

(5) Ask a Favor

Let's say you're at the gym, you might ask someone to spot you. For example, you're about to do a bench press but you would like someone to spot you so you ask them.

Asking someone a favor shows them that you've chosen them for something important and it immediately creates an environment for establishing good rapport. 

***

It takes very little to get a conversation into gear. But until you do there is no conversation. Think of all the missed opportunities for conversation because you were too afraid to get the conversation going.

So fear not, because now you're equipped with five ways of igniting a conversation in a cool calm way.

See you in the next lesson!

About the Author and the Explearning Academy:

Mary Daphne is an expert in communication, executive skills and professional development. She is the founder of the Explearning Academy, a platform dedicated to helping individuals enhance their social fluency, boost their careers, and elevate their social game. Through immersive group coaching programs like the Executive Communication Lab and self-guided journeys, participants gain the social superpowers and career catapults they've been searching for. If you're ready to take your negotiation skills to the next level and connect with like-minded individuals, visit academy.explearning.co and explore the various plans available. Join the Explearning Academy community and unlock your full potential.

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