Having Your First English Conversations

Feeling nervous about speaking? Learn practical phrases and strategies for starting conversations in English with confidence.

9 min read Beginner Level February 2026

Two young friends having a casual conversation at an outdoor café in Malaysia, demonstrating natural English conversation practice in a relaxed setting

Why Your First Conversation Matters

The biggest hurdle for English learners isn’t grammar or vocabulary — it’s actually speaking. You can memorize 1,000 words, but if you’re too nervous to use them, what’s the point? We get it. That first conversation feels huge. Your heart races, you second-guess every word, and you worry about making mistakes.

Here’s the thing though: native speakers make mistakes constantly. They pause, they use filler words like “um” and “uh,” and they sometimes fumble through sentences. What matters is that they keep going. That’s what we’re teaching you today — how to start conversations and keep them flowing, even when you’re nervous.

This guide covers 30+ practical phrases, real-world conversation starters, and techniques that actually work. Most of these come from conversations we’ve heard in Malaysian coffee shops, malls, and classrooms. They’re authentic, they’re simple, and they’re ready for you to use.

Student confidently speaking with instructor in casual English conversation practice session in bright, welcoming classroom environment

Opening Lines That Actually Work

Forget the textbook “How do you do?” — nobody talks like that in real life. We’re going to teach you openers that sound natural because they are.

For Meeting Someone New:

“Hi, I’m [name]. What’s your name?”
“Have you been here before?”
“Do you know what’s good to order here?”
“I’m still getting used to this place. What do you usually do around here?”

The magic here is that these questions invite the other person to talk. You’re not just throwing information at them — you’re asking them something. That takes pressure off you and gives you time to listen and respond.

Pro Tip:

Start with a question about YOUR environment. “This coffee’s really good” shows you’re noticing things. But “What’s your favorite coffee here?” makes them feel like you’re actually interested in them.

Two people meeting for first time at café table, smiling and shaking hands, casual conversation setting in warm afternoon light

Young woman practicing English conversation with focused expression, hand gestures while speaking, natural conversational moment in modern setting

Keeping the Conversation Going

So you’ve said hello. Great. Now what? This is where most learners freeze. They run out of things to say or don’t know how to respond. The trick is learning transition phrases that help you move from one topic to another smoothly.

Essential Transition Phrases:

“By the way…” — shifts to a new topic
“Speaking of which…” — connects to something related
“That reminds me…” — brings up a related memory
“Oh, before I forget…” — adds something you just remembered
“Anyway…” — gets back on track if conversation wandered

These phrases aren’t fancy, but they work because they’re honest. Native speakers use them constantly. When you use them, you’re thinking like a native speaker — naturally steering the conversation forward without awkward pauses.

Responding When You Don’t Understand

Here’s something they don’t always teach in textbooks: it’s totally okay to ask someone to repeat themselves. In fact, it’s expected. Native speakers do it all the time, especially in noisy cafés or over video calls.

Phrases for When You’re Lost:

“Sorry, could you say that again?”
“I didn’t catch that. What did you say?”
“Can you slow down a bit? I’m still learning.”
“What does that word mean?”
“Sorry, I’m not sure I understood. Could you explain differently?”

The last one is gold. You’re not saying “I’m confused” — you’re saying “Help me understand this another way.” It shows maturity and keeps the conversation collaborative. Most people are genuinely happy to help.

In our experience working with learners in Malaysia, the ones who progress fastest are the ones who ask for clarification. They’re not afraid to say “I don’t know” or “Could you rephrase that?” That confidence — not arrogance, but genuine confidence in your learning — is what gets you fluent.

Person in conversation looking thoughtful, listening carefully to someone speaking, engaged in meaningful dialogue in comfortable social setting

Group of students having animated discussion together, laughing and enjoying conversation practice session in classroom setting

Common Conversation Starters in Malaysia

You’ll notice Malaysians have their own conversation rhythm. We’ve spent time in KL, Penang, and Johor Bahru, and there are phrases that come up constantly. Learning these makes you sound more natural in local conversations.

What You’ll Hear (And Can Use):

“Where are you from?” — super common greeting
“Have you eaten?” — genuinely asks if you’re doing okay
“What do you do?” — polite way to ask about your work
“How long have you been here?” — if you’re new to the area
“That’s cool, man” — casual affirmation (very Malaysian English)

Notice these aren’t overly formal. Malaysian English is friendly and direct. You don’t need perfect grammar — you need authenticity. When someone asks “Where are you from?” they’re not testing your English. They’re genuinely interested in you.

Your First Conversation Starts Today

You’ve got the phrases. You understand the structure. Now here’s what we actually want you to do: have one conversation today. Not tomorrow. Today.

It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It could be 30 seconds with a barista. It could be asking a stranger about their book at a café. It could be calling a friend and chatting for 5 minutes in English. Just do it.

Your 3-Step Starter Plan:

Pick a Person

Could be someone you know or a stranger. A cashier, a classmate, a friend. Doesn’t matter. Just someone to talk to.

Use One Opener

Pick one phrase from this article and say it. “Have you been here before?” or “What’s your favorite coffee?” Simple. Real. Works.

Listen & Respond

They’ll answer. Listen to what they say. Ask a follow-up question. You’re having a conversation now.

That’s it. That’s how you start. You’re not aiming for eloquence. You’re aiming for connection. And connection happens when you show up and try, even imperfectly.

The learners we’ve worked with who got comfortable speaking weren’t the ones with the biggest vocabularies. They were the ones who actually started conversations. They made mistakes. They laughed at themselves. And then they tried again.

You’ve got this. Go have that conversation.

A Note on Learning

This article provides educational information about starting English conversations. Everyone’s learning journey is different — you may progress at your own pace depending on your current level, practice frequency, and individual learning style. These phrases and strategies are based on common conversational patterns, but actual conversations will vary. Consider combining these tips with structured lessons, conversation partners, or language exchange for the best results. Making mistakes is a normal and important part of language learning, not something to avoid.