150+ Conversation Starters for Speaking Practice in Any Language

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Starting a conversation in a language you’re learning can feel exposing. You may know enough vocabulary to answer a question but still freeze when you have to make the first move.

Introversion is not something you have to overcome. I’m an introvert myself, and I’ve learnt to work with that part of my personality. These conversation starters give you a bank of small, practical moves for the moment when you do want to speak.

The examples are in English. Treat them as conversation functions to adapt, rather than lines to translate word for word: opening politely, asking a follow-up question, changing the subject, checking whether the other person wants to continue, and closing the exchange.

A useful phrase still has to fit the person, place, and culture. Start with a low-pressure topic, listen to the answer, and leave room for the other person to opt out. If you are learning another language, check your translation and level of formality with a tutor or native-speaking conversation partner before you rely on it.

You’ll find more than 150 prompts below for one-to-one conversations, groups, everyday locations, events, texting, and video calls. Pick a handful that suit your real life; you do not need to memorise the whole list.

A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away with a native speaker for at least 15 minutes with the “Fluent in 3 Months” method. All it takes is 90 days. Tap this link to find out more.

Table of Contents

• Starting a Conversation When You Feel Nervous
• One-to-One Conversation Starters
• Joining a Group Conversation
• Conversation Starters by Location
• Conversation Starters at Events
• Random Conversation Starters
• Conversation Starters for Texting
• Conversation Starters on Video Calls
• How to Practise Your Conversation Starters

Starting a Conversation When You Feel Nervous

The aim is not to eliminate every nervous feeling before you speak. Give yourself one small job: say an opener, listen to the answer, and decide what to do next.

You may be worried about seeming awkward, choosing the wrong word, or getting a cold response. That feeling can be stronger when you are speaking a language you are still learning.

The response is not fully in your control. Some people are busy, tired, private, or simply not in the mood to chat, and that is useful information rather than a verdict on your language ability.

To be honest, I still experience moments of fear when I start conversations in a language I’m learning. It sometimes takes me a few minutes to get into the flow.

I treat that discomfort as part of the first few minutes, then focus on the next thing the other person actually says.

These five habits make the phrase lists easier to use.

Conversation Tip #1: Make Your Opener Easy to Answer

A simple greeting and a question about the shared situation are enough. You do not have to perform confidence or charm.

Use a tone and distance that fit the setting. Friendly communication does not require a particular facial expression, eye contact, or amount of small talk.

Keep the first question easy to decline. If the answer is brief and the person turns back to what they were doing, let the conversation end there.

Conversation Tip #2: Take the Pressure Off

Pressure builds when you decide in advance that the conversation has to last, lead to friendship, or prove something about your language level.

Set a smaller target: make one respectful attempt and pay attention to the response.

A short exchange can still count as speaking practice. If it does not develop into a longer chat, you have not failed.

Do not force a topic or keep pushing after a hesitant answer. Change the subject once, or close the conversation.

This one person does not determine your progress. If you want repeated speaking practice, a planned language exchange gives both people clearer expectations than approaching a stranger.

You can try again another day.

Conversation Tip #3: Listen for the Response

A good conversation moves in both directions. Ask about the other person, share enough of your own experience to give them something to respond to, and listen for the words they choose.

If they ask you a question, answer it and return the question when that feels natural. You can also follow up on one detail from their last answer.

Do not assume that every question is an invitation to ask the same thing back. Topics such as work, family, money, health, politics, and relationships can be personal in some contexts.

Clear words matter most. If someone says they need to go, declines a question, gives repeated short answers, or stops replying, respect that signal without asking them to justify it.

Conversation Tip #4: Be Honest

Do not make something up just because you memorised a particular phrase.

If the model sentence says, “I love cats too!” but you do not like cats, change the example. The point is to practise the language you need for a real exchange.

Say what is true, even if you have to pause and search for a word. That gives you useful vocabulary to review afterwards.

Conversation Tip #5: Mix Open and Closed Questions

A closed question can often be answered with “yes,” “no,” or one short fact. An open-ended question invites a fuller answer. Those are the standard terms; “closed-loop question” is not the usual label.

Open-ended questions can help a conversation develop, while closed questions are useful when you need a clear piece of information or want to make the first turn easy.

Compare these pairs:

Closed: “Do you like apple juice?” Open-ended: “What kinds of juice do you like?”

Closed: “Do you like spaghetti?” Open-ended: “What Italian food do you enjoy?”

The CDC’s active-listening guidance recommends open-ended questions, but the wording alone does not create a good conversation. Listen to the answer and follow the other person’s lead.

With those habits in place, you can choose phrases for each stage of a conversation.

Conversation Starters for Speaking One-on-One

It helps to think in functions rather than memorised scripts: start, follow up, explore a shared topic, change direction, check whether to continue, and close. The CEFR Companion Volume also treats initiating, maintaining, turn-taking, and ending a conversation as parts of interaction.

Real conversations will skip or repeat stages. Use the sequence below as a menu, not a formula.

Here are the eight functions with sample wording.

If you would rather see the approach in action first, this Fluent in 3 Months video covers conversations while you are out and about:

Phase 1: Begin with a Low-Pressure Opener

One useful way to approach someone you do not know is to ask a question about the shared setting without getting personal.

Here are some examples of polite questions you can ask to get things going:

• “Excuse me, do you have the time?” or “Do you know what time it is?”
• “Hi. Is this seat taken?” If the answer is “no”, you can follow up with “Do you mind if I sit here?”
• “Pardon me. Do you know what time this place closes?” (Here, “place” can be replaced with “restaurant”, “café”, or “shop”.)

Another option is a genuine comment about an item they have chosen, such as a hat or phone. Avoid comments about somebody’s body, identity, or perceived background.

Text in [brackets] is a slot to replace with something true and appropriate to your conversation.

• “That is a really nice [hat]. Can I ask where you got it?”
• “I really like your [shoes]. Did you get them near here?”
• “That's a cool looking [phone]. Is it easy to use?”

Phase 2: Follow Up on the Topic

If the person gives an engaged answer, ask one follow-up question about a detail they mentioned.

These examples stay with the original topic:

• “Is that shop near here?”
• “Was it good value?” (Questions about exact prices can be sensitive, depending on the person and culture.)
• “Do they have other colours available?”

You can then explain briefly why you asked:

• “The reason I asked is because I've been thinking about replacing my phone.”
• “I've been looking for a hat like that to give to my friend.”
• “Yeah, the shoes I have are getting worn out. It's time to get a new pair.”

If someone has helped you, thank them:

• “Thanks for the suggestion.”
• “I appreciate the information.”
• “Thank you. That was really helpful.”

Phase 3: Check Whether to Continue

Do not rely on mind-reading. A person may be quiet for loads of reasons, so use both their words and the pattern of the exchange.

If they give fuller answers, ask you questions, or explicitly say they have time, you can offer another topic. If they decline, stop replying, or say they need to go, close the conversation.

These general questions may fit, though work and personal background can be sensitive:

• “Are you from this area?”
• “So, what do you do for a living?”
• “What brings you here today?”
• “Do you come here a lot?”

Choose one that fits what you already know rather than firing through the list.

When they mention something that also matters to you, you have a natural shared topic.

Phase 4: Explore a Shared Topic

When the conversation reaches a topic you can discuss in your target language, stay with it for a few turns.

If you discover that you both have cats, you might ask what their cat is like and offer to show a photo of yours.

If you are both vegetarian, you could ask about a favourite recipe or local restaurant.

These patterns share one relevant detail, then invite the other person to continue:

• “Really? I'm a [vegetarian] too! What made you decide to [stop eating meat]?”
• “I love [cats]! In fact I [have two]. What type of [cats] do you have?”
• “[Football] is my favourite sport! What team do you support?”
• “You're kidding! I [drive a motorcycle] as well. What type of [bike] do you have?”

Let them know what you have in common, then ask one follow-up question.

Keep an eye on the balance. If you have been speaking for several turns, pause and give them room to take the floor.

Phase 5: Ask for an Opinion

An opinion question can extend a topic when the other person seems interested. Start with something low-stakes before moving towards politics, religion, or another sensitive subject.

Here are some questions you can ask to get the other person's view on a situation or topic:

• “I don't know. What do you think?”
• “Has that been your experience too?”
• “Has that ever happened to you?”
• “Why do you think that is (the case)?”
• “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

Use the answer to choose the next question, and accept it if they would rather not discuss the topic.

Phase 6: Change the Topic with a Connector

When a topic has run its course, a short connector helps you change direction.

If the other person has stopped engaging with your snow-globe collection, try one of these conversational connectors.

Here are some ways you can switch to other topics:

• “That reminds me…”
• “Oh hey. Did you hear that…”
• “Speaking of [horses], I found out that…”

Or, if you want to make a more abrupt change, you can just say it directly with:

• “Okay, I'm totally changing the topic now, but I was wondering…”
• “Not to go off-topic, but I recently heard that…”

Phase 7: Check That They Have Time

There is no fixed minute when you need to check in. If the conversation is running longer than the original situation suggested, ask whether they still have time.

These phrases make it easy for them to leave:

• “I'm not keeping you from something, am I?”
• “Sorry for taking up so much of your time. Do you need to take off?”
• “I just realised you're probably in the middle of something. Do you have time to chat?”
• “Let me know if you need to get going. I don't want to take up all your time.”

Take the answer at face value. A polite ending is an ending, not a prompt to persuade them.

Phase 8: Close the Conversation

Closing clearly is part of the skill.

If you would like to talk again, you can offer your contact details without asking them to hand over theirs. Keep your own privacy and safety in mind too.

• “I’m usually here [every Monday afternoon], if you ever want to chat again.”
• “Would you like my email address? No problem if not.”
• “I enjoyed talking with you. If you’d like to stay in touch, I can give you my number.”

You can also end with a simple thank-you:

• “I really enjoyed our chat. Thanks so much.”
• “It was really nice meeting you.”
• “I had a great time talking with you. Hope to see you again soon.”

Joining and Talking in a Group Conversation

In a group, you have to find a turn without cutting across somebody who is already speaking.

Listen for a pause, then use a short phrase to show how your point connects: “That happened to me too,” “Can I ask something about that?” or “That reminds me…”

The earlier phrases still work. You can also share a relevant experience, ask the whole group a question, or connect two people who have mentioned the same topic.

Use these patterns as starting points.

Share an Experience or Idea

A short connection gives the group room to invite more detail:

• “Actually, that happened to me once. It was really [annoying].”
• “I totally agree. The same thing happened to me too.”
• “That's pretty common. I heard that a lot of people had the same experience.”

Give the relevant part first. If people want more detail, they can ask.

Ask the Group a Question

A question to the whole group lets people decide whether to answer.

Try one of these:

• “Has anyone ever … ?”
• “How many of you think that …?”
• “Do a lot of you … ?”
• “Which one of you … ?”

You can direct a question to one person when you already know they have something relevant to add. Give them an easy way to pass.

• “What do you think [Diana]? Has that ever happened to you?”
• “Hey [Carlos]. Didn't you also … ?”

Make a Connection Between Two People

If two people have mentioned the same interest, you can connect their points.

For example:

• “Actually, [Navvab], didn't you go there last year too?”
• “You should ask [Samson] about that. He had the same thing happen to him.”
• “[Makoto] has the same [phone]! Where'd you get yours, [Makoto]?”

Only share information the person has already made public in that group. Do not volunteer private details on their behalf.

Leave the Group Conversation

You do not need an elaborate excuse to leave:

• “I’d better get going. I have a long day tomorrow.”
• “Sorry, I have to run. It was lovely chatting with you all.”
• “It’s getting late, so I’d better head out.”
• “Time for me to go. Have a good evening, everyone.”

Conversation Starters in Context: On Location

The shared location gives you a topic, but it also changes what is appropriate. A question that works at a language exchange may feel intrusive at an airport gate or workplace.

Use the examples below only when the other person is available to talk. Do not block somebody’s route, interrupt staff who are serving people, or keep trying after a refusal.

Topics to Talk About in a Restaurant or Café

Food and the menu give you a shared, low-pressure topic:

• “Do you have a recommendation for a good dish?”
• “What would you recommend for someone who hasn't eaten here before?”
• “Which drink do you like here?”
• “Do you know if the [chow mein] is any good?”
• “Have you ever had the [asparagus]?”
• “If you had to eat just one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?”
• “What is your favourite dessert?”
• “What is your favourite spicy dish?” If they do not like spicy food, ask what they prefer.

You can close with:

• “Enjoy your pasta!”
• “Have a good meal!”

Conversation Starters at Someone’s Home

If you are a guest in someone’s home, ask about the area or an object they have chosen to display. Questions about the price of the home, who lives there, or security may be too personal unless you already know each other.

• “How long have you lived here?”
• “Do you like the area?”
• “Where did you get this [bookshelf]?” (or television, chair, porcelain fountain, etc.)
• “What is your favourite thing about this house?”
• “How many people live here?”
• “Is this house close to [your work]?” (or school, or the park, or the airport, etc.)
• “How far away is the [supermarket]?”

When you leave, thank your host:

• “Thank you for having me over!”
• “Thanks for inviting me to your home.”
• “I had a wonderful time.”

Conversation Starters in Public Places

A practical question can start a short exchange in a park, queue, or at a bus stop. Choose someone who appears available rather than interrupting a call, reading over their shoulder, or following them.

Try a question about the place:

• “Do you know where a [bakery] is around here?”
• “What street is this?”
• “Do you know what time [bus 37] comes by?”
• “Where can I buy a [bottle of water]?”
• “What is your favourite thing about [this park]?”
• “How crowded are the buses when they get to this stop?”
• “Can you recommend a good restaurant around here?” This can be followed by “What is your favourite dish there?”

Questions to Ask People at the Airport

From personal experience, I know that airports are often a place where you have to “hurry up to wait”.

Once you are at the gate, a delay or destination can provide an easy topic. Keep documents, travel plans, accommodation details, and other personal information private.

If another passenger seems open to talking, try:

• “Have they announced the boarding time for this flight?”
• “Is there a place to charge a phone nearby?”
• “So, where are you headed today?”
• “Do you know what time we arrive at the destination?”
• “Is this your preferred airline?” followed by “why is that?”
• “Are you flying home or are you flying away from home?”
• “Where is the favourite place you've ever visited?”
• “Have you ever had the chance to fly in first or business class?” then “what was it like?”
• “Can you recommend any good restaurants or sights in [Buenos Aires]?”

A brief airport chat is still a real interaction. Treat it with the same respect you would give someone you expect to meet again.

They may also have a useful suggestion for your destination, though check practical details against a current source.

Conversation Topics at Work

If colleagues use your target language, a break or shared task may give you a natural opening. Respect workplace hierarchy, confidentiality, and the fact that somebody may need to focus.

These questions stay close to work and the local area:

• “How did you come to work here?”
• “What is your favourite place to eat lunch near the office?”
• “What do you enjoy most about your job?”
• “What are you working on this week?”
• “Is there anything you wish you had known when you started here?”

What to Talk About at School

If you are studying abroad, the course and campus give you ready-made topics:

• “How long have you been a student here?”
• “What are you studying?”
• “What do you recommend to eat on campus?”
• “Do you know a good, quiet place to study?”
• “What do you plan to do when you finish your studies?”

Save two location-based questions that fit places you visit regularly, then practise them before you need them.

Conversation Starters at Events

At an event, the host, activity, or performance gives you a shared topic.

Start there, then follow whichever detail the other person seems happy to discuss.

Topics to Talk About at a Birthday Party

The host and celebration give you a straightforward opening:

• “How do you know [the birthday person]?”
• “What do you think of the [birthday cake]?”
• “What is the best birthday party you've ever been to?”
• “If you could re-live any year of your life, which one would it be?”
• “When is your birthday?”

Small Talk at a Wedding

At a wedding, ask how the guest knows the couple or what part of the day they have enjoyed.

Try:

• “How do you know the couple?”
• “What part of the day have you enjoyed most?”
• “Have you been to this venue before?”
• “Do you like dressing up for events?”
• “Do you know where they are going on their honeymoon?”

Conversation Starters at a Sporting Event

A match gives supporters an obvious shared subject, even if they back different teams.

Try:

• “Who do you think will win?”
• “Have you been following all the matches this season?”
• “Who is your favourite player?”
• “Do you play the sport yourself?”
• “What do you think the score will be?”

Questions to Ask at a Concert or Performance

Before or after a performance, ask about the artist, venue, or another show. During the performance, let the people around you listen.

• “What's your favourite song of theirs?”
• “Do you play music yourself?” or “Do you play an instrument?” or “Do you sing?”
• “How often do you go to a show?”
• “What do you like about this performer?”

Random Conversation Starters

These broader prompts suit a relaxed conversation once you already have some rapport. Skip any question that feels too personal for the relationship.

• “What’s your favourite thing in the world?”
• “If you could spend your time doing anything, what would you do?”
• “What’s your dream [job, holiday, etc.]?”
• “What’s your favourite number and why?”
• “Do you have pets?”
• “Are you a dog or cat person?”
• “If you were the star of a TV show, what would be your theme song?”
• “Who is your favourite actor?”
• “Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve visited?”
• “What’s your favourite place in the world?”
• “Where’s your favourite place to relax?”
• “Are you a morning person or a night owl?”
• “What’s your favourite season and why?”
• “What’s your biggest pet peeve?”
• “What was your favourite childhood TV show?”

Conversation Starters for Texting

Text removes tone and immediate feedback, so keep the first message specific and easy to answer.

Try:

• “Do you have plans this weekend?”
• “Working on anything interesting right now?”
• “Have you watched [show]?”
• “What are you up to today?”
• “How was your day?”
• “How did your [meeting, presentation, or project] go?”

Conversation Starters on Video Calls

On a video call, the purpose of the meeting tells you how much small talk fits. A social call can carry a broader question; a work meeting may need a quick check-in before the agenda.

Try:

• “How is everyone doing today?”
• “Has anyone watched a good film or series lately?”
• “What are you reading at the moment?”
• “Would anyone like to plan a virtual [game night or film night]?”
• “Has anyone tried a new recipe lately?”
• “What is everyone working on this week?”
• “Have you found a good podcast lately?”

The other question patterns in this article also work online. Leave a little more pause than you would in person, because audio delay can make turn-taking harder.

How to Practise Your Conversation Starters

You now have more than 150 prompts, but a smaller personal set will be much easier to retrieve in a real conversation.

Choose five phrases for situations you genuinely expect this week.

Translate them into your target language, then check the wording and register with a tutor, teacher, or conversation partner.

Role-play each phrase with two different answers, including a short answer that closes the exchange.

Use one in a real exchange, then write down what the other person said and any word you wished you had known. That becomes your next review session.

The goal is not to force a long conversation. It is to make a respectful attempt, notice the response, and adjust.

If you want a structured way to build that habit, the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp focuses on using your target language from the start.

Your first opener does not have to be clever. It only has to fit the moment and leave the other person free to answer, change direction, or decline.