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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 16 · Basic · A2
Small talk with coworkers and neighbours
Start and keep a short, friendly conversation going.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What do you talk about with your neighbours or coworkers?
Key phrase 1 of 8
Did you have a good weekend?
The classic Monday question.
Key phrase 2 of 8
Not bad, thanks. Pretty quiet.
A relaxed, normal answer.
Key phrase 3 of 8
Up to anything exciting?
Asking about someone's plans.
Key phrase 4 of 8
Oh, nice! Where did you go?
Show interest and ask a follow-up.
Key phrase 5 of 8
That sounds great.
A simple, friendly reaction.
Key phrase 6 of 8
How about you?
Ask the question back.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Anyway, I'd better get going.
A polite way to end the chat.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Catch you later!
Casual goodbye.
Conversation
Coworker and Ana
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Coworker
Morning, Ana! Did you have a good weekend?
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Coworker: Morning, Ana! Did you have a good weekend?
Ana
Yes, thanks! We went to the Blue Mountains.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Ana: Yes, thanks! We went to the Blue Mountains.
Coworker
Oh, nice! Where did you go?
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Coworker: Oh, nice! Where did you go?
Ana
We did the walk to the Three Sisters. The views were amazing. How about you?
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Ana: We did the walk to the Three Sisters. The views were amazing. How about you?
Coworker
Pretty quiet. I just did some gardening and watched the footy.
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Coworker: Pretty quiet. I just did some gardening and watched the footy.
Ana
That sounds relaxing.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Ana: That sounds relaxing.
Coworker
It was. Anyway, I'd better get going. Meeting at nine.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Coworker: It was. Anyway, I'd better get going. Meeting at nine.
Ana
No worries. Catch you later!
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Coworker. Student B is Ana. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
Did you have a good weekend?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
Oh, nice! Where did you go?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Anyway, I'd better get going.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
What's a good follow-up when someone tells you about their weekend?
- A OK.
- B Oh, nice! Where did you go?
- C Why?
✓ B: Show interest with a follow-up question.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
Which phrase ends a conversation politely?
- A Anyway, I'd better get going.
- B Go away.
- C Stop talking.
✓ A: 'I'd better get going' is a polite exit.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
What does 'Up to anything exciting?' mean?
- A Are you doing anything fun?
- B Are you standing up?
- C Are you angry?
✓ A: It asks about someone's plans.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
What should you do after answering a question?
- A Ask it back: 'How about you?'
- B Leave
- C Change the subject
✓ A: Small talk works like tennis: back and forth.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
What does 'Catch you later' mean?
- A See you later
- B I'll call the police
- C Wait for me
✓ A: A casual goodbye.
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Basic · A2 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What do you talk about with your neighbours or coworkers?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Coworker and student B is Ana. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Coworker is read by Josh and Ana by Mel. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Small talk with coworkers and neighbours. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 16: Small talk with coworkers and neighbours
Start and keep a short, friendly conversation going.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: about · anything · better · later · nice · sounds · thanks · weekend
- Did you have a good ? (The classic Monday question)
- Not bad, . Pretty quiet. (A relaxed, normal answer)
- Up to exciting? (Asking about someone's plans)
- Oh, ! Where did you go? (Show interest and ask a follow-up)
- That great. (A simple, friendly reaction)
- How you? (Ask the question back)
- Anyway, I'd get going. (A polite way to end the chat)
- Catch you ! (Casual goodbye)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Coworker: Morning, Ana! Did you have a weekend?
- Ana: Yes, thanks! We to the Blue Mountains.
- Coworker: Oh, nice! Where you go?
- Ana: We did the walk to the Three Sisters. The views were . How about you?
- Coworker: Pretty quiet. I just did some and watched the footy.
- Ana: That sounds .
- Coworker: It was. Anyway, I'd better get . Meeting at nine.
- Ana: No . Catch you later!
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
What's a good follow-up when someone tells you about their weekend?
a) OK.b) Oh, nice! Where did you go?c) Why?
Which phrase ends a conversation politely?
a) Anyway, I'd better get going.b) Go away.c) Stop talking.
What does 'Up to anything exciting?' mean?
a) Are you doing anything fun?b) Are you standing up?c) Are you angry?
What should you do after answering a question?
a) Ask it back: 'How about you?'b) Leavec) Change the subject
What does 'Catch you later' mean?
a) See you laterb) I'll call the policec) Wait for me
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- Did you have a good weekend?
- Oh, nice! Where did you go?
- Anyway, I'd better get going.
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/small-talk-with-coworkers-and-neighbours/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 16: Small talk with coworkers and neighbours
A. Key phrases
- Did you have a good weekend?
- Not bad, thanks. Pretty quiet.
- Up to anything exciting?
- Oh, nice! Where did you go?
- That sounds great.
- How about you?
- Anyway, I'd better get going.
- Catch you later!
B. Conversation gaps
- good
- went
- did
- amazing
- gardening
- relaxing
- going
- worries
C. Quiz
- b) Oh, nice! Where did you go?
- a) Anyway, I'd better get going.
- a) Are you doing anything fun?
- a) Ask it back: 'How about you?'
- a) See you later
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/small-talk-with-coworkers-and-neighbours/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach small talk with coworkers and neighbours to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Basic level, about CEFR A2. It is lesson 16 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/small-talk-with-coworkers-and-neighbours/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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