英会話カフェで使える英語表現

Phrases for English Conversation Cafes

Speak naturally with people you’re meeting for the first time

An English conversation cafe is a place where you can practise speaking English in a relaxed environment. You might feel nervous when talking in English with someone you’re meeting for the first time, but if you learn a few useful phrases, you can enjoy communicating with confidence! In this article, we’ll introduce some helpful phrases.

Phrases for introducing yourself

You’ll often have to start by introducing yourself if you go to an English conversation cafe. Use the following phrases to introduce yourself smoothly:

• Hi, my name is [~]. Nice to meet you!
• Where are you from?
• What do you do for work?
• How long have you been learning English?
• I found this place by searching the internet.

For a more detailed self-introduction:

• I’m from [~], and I’ve been living in [~] for [~].
• I enjoy [~], and I’m also interested in learning about different cultures.

Starting a conversation

Simple questions are great for starting conversations with people who you’ve just met.

Asking about hobbies:

• What brings you to this English cafe today?
• Have you been to this cafe before?
• What do you usually do in your free time?
• Finding common interests
• Do you like travelling? Where have you been recently?
• Have you watched any good films or shows recently?

Keep the conversation going with reactions and comments:

In order to keep the conversation going, it’s important to show interest and ask questions.

Showing interest:

• That sounds interesting!
• Really? Tell me more about it.
• I see what you mean.
• Right. I see. OK.

Questions for deepening the conversation:

• How do you say [~] in English?
• How did you get into that?
• What do you like most about it?
• Have you ever tried [~]?

Phrases for chatting and small talk

Casual conversation topics are perfect for the atmosphere of an English conversation cafe.

About the weather:

• “It’s such a nice day, today, isn’t it?”

Everyday topics

• “What’s your favourite place to hang out in this city?”
• “Have you tried any good restaurants recently?”

For when you can’t speak as smoothly as you want:

• “Hold on.”
• “Could you say that again?”
• “Come again?”
• “How can I explain this?”
• “Am I making sense?”
• “Do you know what I mean?”

Ending a conversation

When it’s time to leave, or you need to move on to the next conversation, it’s best to end the conversation well.

• “I’d better be off now.”
• “I think it’s time for me to leave.”
• “It was great talking with you!”
• “I hope to see you again next time.”
• “Thanks for sharing! Have a great day.”

Some more tips for English conversation success:

• Don’t forget to smile and make eye contact. A relaxed attitude leaves a good impression.
• Don’t worry about mistakes. English cafes are places to practise – it’s ok if your English isn’t perfect!
• Be proactive in starting conversations. You might feel nervous at first, but your conversation partner probably feels the same way too. Let’s be proactive and take the first step!

If you can remember these phrases, your conversation will go more smoothly, and you’ll have more fun. Feel free to use this article as a reference, and get the most out of your next English conversation cafe visit.

Here at Connect, in Imaike, Nagoya, we are currently offering free taiken lessons. If you would like to start learning English, or if you want to brush up on your English skills, sign up for our free trial lesson! You don’t need to worry if you’re someone who gets nervous easily. After a short level check, our experienced teachers will find the trial lesson that is the right fit for you, and take you through it in a relaxed, at-home atmosphere. If you have any questions or you would like to know more, please contact us.