Small Talk - Chatting Naturally in English 

Focus: making friendly everyday conversation about recent life, work, free time, and plans

Goal: by the end of this lesson, participants will be able to use present perfect in small talk, react naturally, and keep a short conversation going.

1. Grammar Focus: Present Perfect for Small Talk

We often use present perfect when we talk about recent life and experiences.

Structure: have / has + past participle, Use it with: recently, lately, this week, this month

Examples:

I’ve been really busy recently.

I haven’t had much free time lately.

Have you done anything interesting recently?

Have you been to any nice cafés lately?

2. Exercise

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. I’ve ______ really busy recently. (be)

2. I’ve ______ a good film this week. (watch)

3. I haven’t ______ much free time lately. (have)

4. Have you ______ anything interesting recently? (do)

5. I haven’t ______ out much lately. (go)

3. Useful Phrases (Small Talk)

How’s your week going?
Example: How’s your week going? Have you been busy?

Have you done anything nice lately?
Example: Have you done anything nice lately, or just work?

What about you?
Example: I’ve been quite busy. What about you?

4. Natural Reactions (More Native-Like)

Oh really?
Example: Oh really? What happened?

That sounds nice.
Example: That sounds nice. Was it relaxing?

I know what you mean.
Example: I know what you mean — I’ve been busy too.

5. Roleplay (Real Situation)

Person A: Hi! How’s your week going?

Person B: (Say your week is okay, but you’ve been busy.)

Person A: Oh really? Have you had a lot of work recently?

Person B: (Say yes, you’ve had a lot of work this week.)

Person A: I know what you mean. I’ve been busy too. Have you done anything nice lately?

Person B: (Say you met a friend for coffee.)

Person A: That sounds nice. How was it?

Person B: (Say it was relaxing and you had a good chat.)

Person A: Nice. I haven’t gone out much lately, but I’ve watched a good film recently.

Person B: (Ask what it was about.)

Person A: It was a comedy. It was quite relaxing. Anyway, it was nice talking to you.

Person B: (End the conversation politely.)

Continue naturally for 2–3 minutes, then switch roles.

Vocabulary (B1+/B2 Level)

6. Discussion Questions

1. Have you been busy recently?

2. Have you watched anything good lately?

3. Have you tried any new cafés or restaurants recently?

4. Have you met any friends this week?

5. Have you had a relaxing weekend recently?

6. Have you learned anything interesting lately?

7. Have you done anything just for yourself recently?

7. Example Answers

1. Yes, I’ve been quite busy recently because I’ve had a lot of work.

2. Yes, I watched a good crime series lately. It was really interesting.

3. Yes, I tried a new café this month. The atmosphere was very nice.

4. Yes, I met a friend for coffee this week and we had a good chat.

5. Not really. I haven’t had much free time lately.

6. Yes, I’ve learned a few useful English phrases recently.

7. Yes, I watched a film and relaxed at home.