ESL WORKSHEET - Making small talk

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

MAKING SMALL TALK

LinguaHouse

Sep. 18, 2026

Level: Pre-intermediate (A2-B1)
Type of language: General English
Tags: People and Places; Making Small Talk; Challenges; Socializing; Speaking; Situation Based; Vocabulary Lesson; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 09/18/2026

In this lesson, students develop their conversational skills by practicing the skill of making small talk. They start the lesson by identifying different social settings and discussing different aspects of small talk. They then develop their listening skills by hearing different conversations and completing a comprehension task before focusing on the use of questions to start a conversation. They then practice the language in various student-centered activities and then develop and use their own questions. The lesson finishes with a roleplay speaking activity and a game to develop fluency and review the vocabulary. (by V. Aitken)

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

CONVERSATION 1
Speaker A (woman): Hello.
Speaker B (man): Hi.
Speaker A: It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?
Speaker B: Yes, it’s so warm and sunny.
Speaker A: It’s a shame I’m on my way to work. I’d like to go to the beach.
Speaker B: Me too. Oh here comes the number seven. Have a nice day.
Speaker A: Thanks, you too.

CONVERSATION 2
Speaker C: Did you watch the game last night?
Speaker D: Yes, it was an exciting match.
Speaker C: The referee was terrible though. Chelsea should have won.
Speaker D: I know, unbelievable!

CONVERSATION 3
Speaker A: Hi, I haven’t seen you for a while. Have you been away?
Speaker B: Hi, yes, I just got back from two weeks in France.
Speaker A: How nice, did you have a good time?
Speaker B: Yes, it was magical. Do you have any plans to get away this summer?
Speaker A: Yes, thankfully. I need some time off. I am going to Portugal.

CONVERSATION 4
Speaker C: Good morning
Speaker D: Welcome to the Sutherland Inn. Are you here visiting?
Speaker C: Yes, I just arrived from Australia. I’m so excited to be here. I can’t believe I am finally in Scotland.
Speaker D: You will have a great time, it’s a beautiful place.

CONVERSATION 5
Speaker B: Hello
Speaker A: Hi, I’m Claire.
Speaker B: I’m Jack. Nice to meet you.
Speaker A: Nice to meet you too Jack
Speaker B: Are you having a good time?
Speaker A: Yes, it’s a fun party. How do you know Simon?
Speaker B: We went to university. You?
Speaker A: He’s my neighbor.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/making-small-talk-speak-english. Accessed on October 20, 2026. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2026. All rights reserved.