How to Keep a Conversation Going in English

Have you ever been in a conversation where everything starts out fine—you say hello, you ask a question, you smile politely—but then… silence?

Awkward silence?

You start to panic, your brain freezes, and suddenly you wish you could teleport out of the room?

You’re not alone.

Even native English speakers sometimes struggle to keep a conversation flowing.

But for English learners, it’s even more nerve-wracking.

You worry about grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary—and on top of that, you’re expected to sound natural and friendly?

Let’s take the pressure off.

In this post, I’ll walk you through simple, powerful ways to keep a conversation going in English—based on over a decade of teaching English to learners from all over the world.

I’ll share strategies I’ve seen work again and again, real stories from my classroom, and expert-backed insights that will give you both confidence and clarity.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Why Do Conversations Fizzle Out?

Before we talk solutions, let’s understand the problem.

Conversations often die for three main reasons:

Lack of vocabulary – You can’t find the right word, so you stop.
Fear of mistakes – You’re too nervous to keep talking.
No idea what to say next – You’re not sure how to move the conversation forward.

Sound familiar?

I once had a student—Raj—from India, who was brilliant in grammar drills but avoided speaking in class. One day, after some encouragement, he opened up during a roleplay. When he got stuck after asking, “What do you do?”, he looked at me helplessly. We paused, practiced a few strategies together, and the next week? He spoke confidently for a full five minutes. No script.

The point? It’s not about perfection—it’s about having tools you can rely on when the conversation gets stuck.

Let’s build that toolkit now.

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Closed questions are fine for starting a conversation:

“Do you like coffee?”
“Are you from Brazil?”

But they often lead to short answers—yes, no, maybe.

Open-ended questions, on the other hand, invite the other person to say more. That gives you more material to work with.

Try this:

“What kind of coffee do you like?”
“What was it like growing up in Brazil?”
“How did you get into photography?”

These kinds of questions show interest and encourage stories.

💡 Pro tip: Start your questions with what, how, why, when, who—not just “Do you…” or “Is it…”

And if the other person still gives a short answer? No problem. That brings us to the next trick.

2. Use Follow-Up Questions

One of my favorite strategies—follow-up questions—is like adding fuel to a fire. It keeps the conversation warm and alive.

Let’s say someone says:

“I love hiking.”

You could ask:

“Oh nice! Where do you usually go?”
“What do you enjoy about it?”
“Have you ever gone on a really difficult hike?”

Now the conversation has direction.

When I taught students from Thailand, I used to run a “Follow-Up Challenge” with my intermediate students. They had to keep a conversation going for at least 3 minutes by only asking follow-ups. It was fun, and it worked! They learned how to dig deeper—and how to actually listen, not just wait to speak.

3. Use the “Echo” Technique

This one’s incredibly simple and super effective.

Just repeat part of what the other person said, with a questioning tone.

Example:

“I just started learning guitar.”

You: “Guitar? That’s awesome! What made you want to start?”

Or:

“I work in digital marketing.”

You: “Digital marketing? That sounds interesting. What kind of projects do you do?”

This technique works like a charm. It shows interest, gives you time to think, and keeps things flowing.

4. Add Your Own Thoughts (Don’t Just Ask)

Conversations aren’t interviews. If you only ask questions, it can feel one-sided.

So share a little about your own experiences, even if it’s short.

Let’s say your partner says:

“I love spicy food.”

Instead of just asking, “Why?”, you might say:

“Same here! I tried this insanely spicy curry once in Mumbai—sweated the whole time but loved it. Do you cook spicy food at home?”

It’s a natural way to connect. You’re not just exchanging facts—you’re building a relationship.

5. Use Fillers and Connectors

Sometimes, a conversation dies simply because people don’t know what to say while they’re thinking. That’s where fillers and connectors help.

These are short, natural expressions that give you a second to breathe while keeping the flow.

Examples of fillers:

“Well…”
“Let me think…”
“That’s a good question…”
“You know…”

Examples of connectors:

“By the way…”
“Speaking of that…”
“Actually…”
“That reminds me…”

These small words buy you time, and they make you sound more fluent.

6. React Naturally

Sometimes the best way to keep the conversation going is to simply react like a human being.

Someone says:

“I just got a new puppy.”

You don’t need a perfect question or phrase. Just respond:

“No way! That’s so cute. What’s the name?”

Or:

“A puppy? You must be so busy! Is it your first one?”

Show emotion. Be curious. Be real. It makes you more relatable—and that keeps people talking.

7. Practice Small Talk Topics

In my experience, the most useful topics to prepare are:

Weather
Food
Travel
Hobbies
Work or school
Movies, TV, or music
Weekend plans

These are “safe zones”—everyone has something to say about them. And they work great for casual chats, like with coworkers, classmates, or people you meet at events.

✅ Tip: Prepare 2–3 simple sentences and a question for each topic. That way, you always have a “conversation starter kit” ready to go.

8. Use Body Language and Tone

A big part of conversation isn’t what you say—it’s how you say it.

Smiling, making eye contact (if culturally appropriate), and showing interest with your voice can make people feel comfortable.

Even if you say something simple like:

“Oh really? That’s cool.”

If you say it warmly, people will want to keep talking.

But if you look bored or nervous, even perfect grammar won’t help.

So relax your shoulders, breathe, and use your body to communicate interest.

9. Learn Set Phrases for Natural Transitions

Want to sound more fluent and confident? Use ready-made phrases to move the conversation along.

Here are some of my favorites:

“Speaking of that…”
“That reminds me…”
“Actually, that’s interesting because…”
“By the way, have you ever…?”
“Oh, before I forget…”

These phrases work like bridges between topics. They help you sound natural and keep things flowing without awkward stops.

10. Don’t Fear Silence

Here’s an important one: silence is not the enemy.

Sometimes in a conversation, there’s a pause. That’s okay. Pauses are natural. You’re not a talk-show host, and there’s no rule saying you must fill every second.

The key is to stay relaxed and confident during those moments. If the silence goes on too long, you can always switch the topic or use humor.

One of my students used to say:

“Okay, awkward pause! Let’s talk about something else…”

And you know what? People laughed, and the conversation moved on.

Bonus: What the Experts Say

Conversation skills aren’t just about words—they’re about connection. According to Harvard psychologist Dr. Carol Gilligan, active listening and empathetic responses are key to meaningful conversations.

Linguist Deborah Tannen also notes in her research that conversational style—such as how quickly you respond, how often you ask questions, or how much you self-disclose—can affect how connected people feel.

So, while grammar and vocabulary matter, don’t forget the human side.

Limitations to Be Aware Of

Let’s be real—keeping a conversation going takes practice, not just tips.

If your vocabulary is very limited, or your confidence is very low, even the best strategies might feel hard at first. That’s normal.

Here’s what I tell my beginner students:

“You don’t have to say something smart. Just say something. The goal is connection, not perfection.”

And if you’re still struggling? Pair these strategies with regular speaking practice—either in a class, a language exchange, or even by talking to yourself in front of a mirror. (Yes, really. It works.)

A Real Story: From Silence to Speaking

I had a student named Haritha, from Kerala, who rarely spoke in class. Her grammar was solid, but she often froze mid-sentence.

One day, we did a paired activity using just two strategies: follow-up questions and the echo technique.

She spoke for four full minutes with a partner.

Afterward, she said: “I didn’t know I could talk that much!”

Today, she works at an international hotel and confidently chats with guests daily.

No magic. Just practice + the right tools.

Conclusion: The Heart of a Good Conversation

Here’s the truth: Keeping a conversation going in English isn’t about speaking perfectly—it’s about staying engaged.

It’s about:

Showing interest
Asking the right kinds of questions
Reacting like a real person
Using simple tools to keep the energy alive

And most importantly? It’s about connection.

So next time you’re worried about saying the “right” thing, remember this:

People won’t remember your grammar. They’ll remember how you made them feel.

Try This Today

Here’s a little challenge for you:

Start one conversation today in English.
Use one open-ended question, one follow-up, and one personal comment.
Keep it going for at least two minutes.

You’ve got this. And if you mess up? Laugh, learn, and try again.

Because that’s what good communicators—and good learners—do.

If you enjoyed this post and want more real-world English tips from someone who’s been teaching for over 10 years, stick around.

I’ve got plenty more stories, strategies, and tools coming your way.

Now—go talk to someone. 😊

How to Keep a Conversation Going in English

Why Do Conversations Fizzle Out?