Hello! Welcome to your first English lesson. Your goal is to become confident in everyday conversations and understand English media better, and this course is designed to guide you there step by step.
Today, we will begin with the most fundamental skill: starting and ending a simple, casual conversation. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use common greetings and farewells correctly in different situations. This is the first building block for all the conversations we'll practice.
Formal vs. Informal: Choosing the Right Words
Before we dive into phrases, it's important to understand the difference between formal and informal situations. Think of it like a "protocol" for communication.
- Formal: Used with people you don't know, in professional or academic settings (like your other English courses), or with people in positions of authority (e.g., a manager, a professor). Formal language is more polite and respectful.
- Informal: Used with friends, family, and sometimes colleagues you know well. It's more relaxed and casual.
Choosing the right level of formality is key to making a good first impression.
Starting a Conversation: Greetings
Let's begin with the most common ways to say hello. The podcast-style video below explains the basic greetings and when to use them. The hosts speak clearly, which will be great practice for your listening skills.
How to Start a Conversation in English | Daily English Practice (A2–B1) | English Podcast
Watch these clips from the "Mr. English Channel" video to learn the most essential greetings.
First, listen to the explanation of "hello" and "hi" to understand the slight difference in formality. Next, learn about greetings for different times of the day, like "good morning," "good afternoon," and "good evening". Pay close attention to the explanation of "good night". This is a very common point of confusion for learners. "Good night" is used for saying goodbye late in the evening, not for greeting someone. Finally, listen to the quick summary of greetings.
As you heard, "Good morning," "Good afternoon," and "Good evening" are generally more formal, while "Hi" and "Hello" are very versatile. "Hello" can be used in almost any situation, making it a safe choice if you're unsure.
Greetings in Action
Now let's see these phrases in the context of a conversation. We will look at two short dialogues from the "Everyday Conversations" guide provided by the U.S. Department of State.
First, a formal example. Imagine a student, James, talking to his professor.
Read this short dialogue to see how formal greetings and introductions are used.
Find "Dialogue 1-1: Formal Greetings" on page 3. Read the exchange between James, Professor Austin, and Emma. Notice how they use "Good morning," "How are you doing?", and "It's a pleasure to meet you." These are all standard phrases for a formal or professional setting.
Now, let's look at an informal example between two friends, Jane and Helen.
This dialogue shows a more casual and relaxed way of speaking.
Find "Dialogue 1-2: Informal Greetings and Farewells" on page 5. Read the conversation between Jane and Helen. Pay attention to phrases like "Hi!", "How's it going?", and the response "Fine, thanks — and you?". This is a very typical and natural exchange between friends.
Ending a Conversation: Farewells
Just as important as starting a conversation is knowing how to end it politely. Abruptly stopping can feel awkward or rude. Common farewells include "Goodbye," "Bye," "See you later," and "Have a nice day."
Basic English for Beginners: Your Step-by-Step Guide
This article provides a simple list of phrases you can use to end a conversation smoothly.
Scroll down to the heading "Making Small Talk." Just below that section, find the subheading "Ending a Conversation" and review the list of phrases. "I should get going" or "I have to run" are useful for signaling that you need to leave.
Putting It All Together
Let's see how all these pieces—greetings, a brief exchange, and farewells—fit together in one conversation. The next video shows two strangers meeting at a bus stop.
How to Start a Conversation in English | Daily English Practice (A2–B1) | English Podcast
Watch this role-play from the "Mr. English Channel" video. It's a perfect example of a short, polite, and complete conversation.
Watch the clip from "at a bus stop". Notice how the conversation flows: Greeting: "Hello." / "Oh, hi." Small Talk: They talk about the weather. Introduction: "By the way, my name is Paul." / "It's nice to meet you, Paul. I'm Emily." Closing: "Well, it was very nice talking to you..." Farewell: "Have a good day." / "You, too. Bye."
Your Turn to Practice
Now, it's time for you to practice. Read the two scenarios below and write a very short dialogue for each one. Try to use different phrases from the lesson.
- Scenario 1 (Informal): You see a friend you know from your neighborhood in a park in the afternoon.
- Scenario 2 (Formal): You meet a new colleague for the first time near the coffee machine at work in the morning.
This exercise is just for you to apply what you've learned. Don't worry about making it perfect; the goal is to start using the language.
Key Takeaways
In this lesson, we covered the essential skills for starting and ending a conversation:
- The difference between formal (polite, professional) and informal (relaxed, friendly) language.
- Greetings for any time ("Hello," "Hi") and for specific times of day ("Good morning," "Good afternoon," "Good evening").
- Remember that "Good night" is only used to say goodbye.
- Simple follow-up questions like "How are you?" and "How's it going?".
- Polite phrases to end a conversation, such as "It was nice talking to you," "See you later," and "Have a nice day."
Mastering these simple phrases will give you the confidence to start conversations in English.
In our next lesson, we will build on this by learning how to ask and answer basic personal questions about your name, job, and where you're from. This will allow you to move beyond the initial greeting and get to know someone.