Small Talk at Work: English Conversation Practice

Intermediate · B1–B2 Episode 26 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

small talk short, friendly conversation about easy topics
open question a question that needs more than yes or no
build trust help people feel they can rely on you
avoid stay away from
I'd better... I should...
remind me help me remember
No way! an informal way to show surprise

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 26: Small talk with a new co-worker

Intermediate (B1–B2) · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

small talk: ________________________
open question: ________________________
build trust: ________________________
avoid: ________________________
I'd better...: ________________________
remind me: ________________________
No way!: ________________________

2. Questions

Why is small talk important at work?
☐ It builds trust ☐ It's in your contract ☐ It saves time
Which is an open question?
☐ Do you like it here? ☐ How long have you been working here? ☐ Are you busy?
Which topic should you avoid at first?
☐ The weekend ☐ Salary ☐ Food
What is the 'answer, add, ask' trick?
☐ Answer, add a detail, then ask a question back ☐ Ask three questions in a row ☐ Answer with one word
How can you end the chat politely?
☐ Bye. ☐ Anyway, I'd better get back to work. Nice chatting with you! ☐ Stop talking.

3. Talk or write about it

Start a conversation with a new co-worker. Introduce yourself, ask an open question and use 'answer, add, ask'.

Transcript

Josh: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Josh.

Mel: And I'm Mel. Today: small talk at work, those little chats in the kitchen or before a meeting.

Josh: Small talk feels unimportant, but it's how people build trust at work.

Mel: Exactly. So how do you start? Something simple: 'Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Mel, I just started in marketing.'

Josh: Then ask an open question. Not 'Do you like it here?' but 'How long have you been working here?'

Mel: Open questions start with how, what, where or why. They get longer answers.

Josh: Safe topics: the weekend, the weather, travel, food, and work itself. 'How was your weekend?' is a classic.

Mel: Topics to avoid at first: money, salary, religion and politics.

Josh: Now, the trick to keeping it going: answer, then add, then ask.

Mel: Like this. 'How was your weekend?' 'Great, thanks. I went hiking with my sister. Do you like hiking?'

Josh: Answer, add a detail, ask a question back. It's like passing a ball.

Mel: And show you're listening: 'Oh really?', 'That sounds fun!', 'No way!'

Josh: How do you finish the chat politely?

Mel: 'Anyway, I'd better get back to work. Nice chatting with you!' Or, 'See you at the meeting.'

Josh: And remember people's names. If you forget, it's okay: 'Sorry, remind me of your name?'

Mel: Everyone forgets names. Asking is better than avoiding someone for six months!

Josh: Ha! So: open questions, safe topics, answer-add-ask, and a friendly ending.

Mel: Thanks for chatting with us. See you next time!

Answers: 1. It builds trust · 2. How long have you been working here? · 3. Salary · 4. Answer, add a detail, then ask a question back · 5. Anyway, I'd better get back to work. Nice chatting with you!

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Intermediate (about B1–B2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

small talk, open question, build trust, avoid, I'd better..., remind me, No way!. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.