Be Interesting & Cool in English
Have you ever thought about how to be interesting in English conversations? Do you worry that you don’t sound cool or that people feel bored talking to you?
You’re not alone in this fear. We all want to be interesting; we want people to enjoy talking to us.
Ending a conversation feeling like you bored someone is the absolute worst!
But the good news is, it might be easier than you think to be interesting in English… and the secret to it might surprise you. That’s exactly what I’m going to share with you today: 6 Easy Steps to Be Interesting and Cool in English.
And here’s why this is so important:
- It makes us feel great about ourselves when we know someone enjoyed talking to us.
- A great conversation is the opportunity for the beginning of a friendship.
I want to make both of those easier for you in English!
6 steps to be interesting in English conversation.
Lesson by Annemarie
Be Interesting in English—6 Easy Steps
To be interesting in English, there are 6 things you can do. So let’s look at what those 6 strategies are and try some examples so you’ll know exactly what to do in your next English conversation.
Step 1: Be a passion detective
Everyone loves to talk about themselves, their ideas, and what they love. All you need to do is find out what someone is into and let them talk about it. Even if it is not something you are a fan of, giving them a chance to talk about their passion will make them feel good, and then you’ll feel good too.
Here are 3 good questions to ask:
- What do you wish you had more time for?
- If you could be doing anything right now, what would it be?
- What makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
Step 2: Find common ground
Finding out what you both enjoy is even better! When two people talk about something they both love, it makes for great conversation and may lead to friendship. You might not figure it out right away. It might take a few tries, so be patient and keep searching by asking questions that lead to that common interest.
For example:
- What do you usually do for fun?
- Are you into…? (movies/cooking/gardening/cycling/yoga etc.)
- Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time… (hiking in the mountains) Have you ever… (gone hiking in the mountains on vacation)?
Step 3: Ask conversational questions
Showing someone you are interested in what they have to say means asking really great questions. Asking a great question takes careful skill. For example, if you ask:
Do you like…? Then the answer may simply be ‘no’ and sadly your conversation ends. And you certainly were not interesting.
Instead, ask questions that avoid yes or no answers open up the conversation. Great ways to start an open-ended question are to use question words, for example:
- What…? E.g. What do you like about fishing?
- How…? E.g. How would you love to spend a free afternoon?
- Why…? E.g. Why do you love yoga?
- If…? E.g. If you could only choose one fun activity to do for the year, what would it be?
Step 4: Give great answers
In addition to asking great questions, being ready to give great answers really makes you much more interesting to talk to.
We have all been in those conversations where we try to ask questions but get nowhere as the person answers ‘no’ to everything. For example: When asked “what have you been doing lately?” and the response is “not much”, the conversation really dies, and no one is interesting!
Here are two tips for giving great answers in a conversation:
- Be prepared to answer, “And what about you?” In other words, be prepared to answer questions that you ask.
- Use question words (who, what, when, where, why, how, etc.) to think about what to say in your answer and activate vocabulary.
Step 5: Be open to different perspectives
To be interesting in English conversation means going in with an open mind, being ready to hear about different ideas.
If we want someone to leave the conversation thinking we were interesting that means sometimes holding back on our opinions and opening up to hear alternative views.
We can let people feel comfortable in their views without agreeing, here are some techniques to do that:
- I hadn’t thought of it like that.
- That’s an interesting point of view.
- I can see you are really passionate about that.
Step 6: Short and sweet
Finally, keeping it short and sweet is a winner when it comes to being interesting and cool.
Talking on and on when it is your turn to speak is boring. So keep it short and succinct, don’t worry about tiny details, stick to the main points and share the conversation evenly and you will be much more interesting!
❤️this lesson? Here are some similar topics:
How to Have Small Talk in English
How to Start a Conversation with Anyone
Great Questions for Talking about Travel
After you’ve watched the video and the lesson, it’s time to practice!
Using what you learned, how would you answer these 2 questions:
-
Imagine, you start talking to someone in a busy cafe. What could you ask to find a common interest?
-
And with an old friend you know well, what could you ask that could show them you are interested in talking to them?
The best place to share, get feedback, and learn from others in the Confident English Community is in the comment section below. Have a fantastic Confident English Wednesday!
~ Annemarie
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Dear Annemarie, thank you very much for your lessons, they are useful for improve my English. fallowing are my answers about your questions from the video. situation number one: Are you into movies? are you into cooking? what are you enjoy more sightseeing or hiking? have you ever visited north America? for the second situation, the questions are: what have you been up to? how is your family? how is your job? where did you move to? have you stared a new job? what is you job about? have you taken the project your school propose you? could you tell… Read more »
Hi Annemarie! I greatly enjoy your class–thank you!
1- Hi, this coffee place has a great vibe. It’s my first time here. Do you have any recommendations?
2- Hi stranger! I haven’t seen you in a very long time. How are things with you and the family? Let’s catch up soon!
Dear Annemarie, thank you for the lesson. Question 1: Hello, my name is Denise. I live near this cafe, and you? I never saw you here. I love come here drink cooffe and eat sandwiches. What do you like?
Question 2: Hello, my friend. How long time! How are you? What do you doing? Tell me about you and your children.
Question number ONE, I never try before I’m sorry for about that Mrs Annemarie, I wish you forgive me for about question no.1 . Whenever I reach coffee shop, in the time someone look at me, I only smile to them and I said nothing.
Question number TWO, hey guy, where have you been, it’s so long not to meet you. How thing go, everything is okay. Do you marriage or are we still the same single.
Hey Annemarie, Thank you for the lesson. If someone starts talking to me in a busy café, I would say “Hi Susan, nice to meet you. Do you come here often? I am new to this place and so I don’t know many places where you get good coffee. What do you like to do in your downtime? Wow, you like reading fiction! Could you please tell me where the library is located? Are you into joining readers’ clubs? In that case I would like to join one too.” If I meet an old friend after a long time, I… Read more »
Hey Annemarie, What a nextlevel lesson is this one for sommeone like me! I’m very interrested and still listening to it. My answers to questions: suppose I wanna know the common ground between you and I. “Hey annemarie, nice to meet you once more. Lately I’ve been singing with wellknown singers like RIHANA. Are you into music concert or what would you choose to do if a only chance is given to you right now? 2.to show I’m interrested to what you do: It has been so long that I haven’t seen you. we used to learn english together. nowadays,… Read more »
Hi Annemarie,
Thanks for your lesson. I have learn a lot of from your lesson. And hope that my english will be beter with your help.
Thank you for the lesson today I always feel stuck starting a small talk
hey, long time where have you been..
1. Of all places why you chose this busy cafe? There is another cafe that offers the same services and good food but not this kind of busy place.
2 hey long time no see! When did you come home? How long are you planning to stay here? (Continues curious questions about life.)
Hi *Thnaks to share with us this lesson,
To reply at your questions, please find below my comments:
1-
2-
Dear Annemarie, thanks for your helpful lesson, as always. For me, Q1: Wow, it’s a good business! They must have a very coffee here. That’s why they are always busy and have a lot of customers. Q2: OMG, it’s so nice to see you here! It has been such a long time! How have you been doing? How are your family and the kids? Then we will keep talking, and I am sure she/he will ask me the same questions. In the end, I would say I hope we will meet again sometime soon. Let’s keep in touch…hugs :):)
Thank you. This lesson is useful.
Then how should I let the person who is kept talking about she/him too much, and that is kind of annoying.
Thank you so much for your helpful tips. I really enjoyed your teaching specially your attractive videos. I appreciate it. About two questions you considered as challenge: 1. For your first question, I would ask, what kind of coffee do you like? light or dark? or how often do you come to this busy cafe? or how many cups of coffee do you drink a day? 2. For your second question, since I had not seen my old friend, I would ask, wow! long time no see! where have you been for a long time? I am so happy to… Read more »
Thank you for the tips for confident English! If I talk to someone in a coffee shop, I would ask “What made you drink coffee for the first time?”, “How long have you been drinking coffee?” or ” What do you like about coffee?” I like the aroma of coffee but don’t drink it much because I like a sweet taste more than a bitter one. If I meet a high school friend, I would say “Wow, long time no see! How long has it been?” and ask “Where have you been after graduation? How have you been doing? Do… Read more »
Thank you for your amazing lesson. I like it a lot. As for the challenge questions,situation number 1.I may ask questions like How do you like your coffee?? or i can initiate by asking Do you often drink coffee in this coffee shop? Of course she will ask me what about you? How much coffee you drink every day?. so these questions can pave the way to share some common grounds. As to situation number 2… if i suddenly met a friend that i haven’t seen for a long time. The best answer with a surprise.!! .. Long time no… Read more »
Hi Anne Marie Here is my answers for today lesson. 1. Hi, it is a busy day today, everywhere I go are long queues and I am afraid I am on lunch, but when did you arrived? Let’s hope that their services are fast. 2. Hi Mary it’s you after such a long time since our graduations. I am so happy to see you girl, am l not day dreaming? How is life in that side of the world? Is it really you? Any way how is life in general (business, marriage, kids). It was good to talk to you.… Read more »
Well done, Makhotso!
1- Can you suggest me which kind of drink may I have?
2- D you remember that situation when we were together?
1)What kind of drink do you want me to try ?
2)We had a great time in university and miss that time.
Very professional and authentic, thanks a lot! It’s a pleasure to watch your video.
I met an old friend . She was with a little boy . I asked her (can you remember our preferred song . Is this boy yours?)
Thank you for the lesson and for your efforts
Thank you so much for lesson and question.
1. Hey, How are you? Why do you like this cafe shop?
2. I haven’t seen you a long time. Where you have been going on holidays?
What makes you like this coffee shop?
I haven’t seen you for years. Where have you been all these years?
Thank you very much Annemarie, your lessons are very educative and informative
Question No. 1. Hi how are you, do you mind telling me what you enjoy or like about this cafe?
Question No. 2. Hi, is been awhile and I missed you, what is happening around you?
1-As usually I prefer to get espresso at morning it makes me awake fully, what do you prefer to have?
2- Hi Sara I miss you, I have been asking you for many years, how are you?
I enjoy new challenge .so I hope I can getting better with my conversation with others , thank you for your help .
Great job with number 2, Carl! A perfect, casual way to spark a casual conversation with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
Thank you for this lesson.
1. Lina what types activities can you do in a Coffeeshop?
2. Hi Lina, where did you travel last summer and how was?
Dear Anne Marie, as you told me to answer the questions you asked me at the end of the lesson. They are like this. 1. Dear Angela, I know we both have something in common and that’s a taste of black coffee but I don’t think today it will be possible to have it because of many customers are in cafe standing in the queue. 2. Maria I want to know about the health of your daughter, as I saw you today walking in the garden, I just grab the chance to talk to you. These are the answers of… Read more »
Thank you Ann, for the informative lesson as always,
Thank you very much for another helpful lesson. I really enjoyed your teaching.
To practice the questions:
1) What do you order for your coffee? Why do you like it?
2) I missed our conversation since last talk! How have you been? Any updates?
Hi..first of all thank u so much for this lesson and task.
Hey! how do u feel when u r in this coffee shop? How is this place for enjoying?
Hey! Tell me something about u what were u doing in ur life? For a long time, I couldn’t see u where were u ?
Thanks for your lesson and the task 🙂
1.How is it going? That’s a really nice place! What is the best coffee you have ever tasted?
2.Would we become the best friends if we didn’t meet at school?
First of all, Thank you for this effort. Your videos had been so helpful to me.
1st situation: I’ve been working out recently. Which sport are you into?
2nd situation: It’s been a long time. How is everything? where have you been all this time?
Thank you Anne Marie I love your lessons they are very helpful, now I’m motivating to learn.
hey,good morning I’m craving for a delicious cup of coffee, which on do you recommend me
Hi friend it’s being a long time I haven’t seen you, what a nice surprise! How you being doing
It is not a problem for me to start a conversation with asking questions, my problem is that when they response my question I feel awkward while I can’t catch up with them and deepen the conversation.
Good morning, do you mind if I share table with you? I am a newbie here and have no idea with coffee, can you please introduce which coffee is the best in here?
OMG, what a surprise to meet you here! How have you been going these year? can we find somewhere to seat and have a chat? I’d like to hear your stories.
Dear. Author AnneMarie thank you for your tireless efforts to help learners.
for me I am overwhelmingly surge curious to continue learning your lessons.
answering the above mentioned questions.
1: hey welcone, what is your preferred coffee?
2:,wow it’s being a long time , where were you hiding your self ? tell me more about you and where ?
Dear, Annemarie.
Thank you for all your lessons, I’m learning a lot with your help. Answering these questions, I’d say something like this:
1. Hey, good morning! It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? Which one is your favourite coffee here?
2. Hey girl, long time no see! What have you been doing in your life? Please, tell me EVERYTHING!
Love these examples, Hayslla! The second one is great for someone you know but haven’t seen in a long time.
And I’m very glad to know my lessons are helpful to you!
Dear Annemarie,
Thanks a lot for your lessons. I can definitely say that I am improving my English.
This lesson was fantastic
Jeff
Hello Annemarie. Thank you for your lessons. It´s really funny and I can it good understand. Katerina from the Czech Republic
Hello Annemarie,i would like to thank you for your valuable lessons, it’s the first time I comment a lesson, it’s really helpful and surely it will help me in improve my English confident.Abraham from Spain.
Hi Annemarie, Thank you for your well thought out lesson. What you’d said in the intro deeply resonated with me. I’ve always thought that I’m the most boring person anyone could have a conversation with. I sometimes even felt sorry for the person who was unfortunate enough to have to endure having a conversation with me. Your suggestions sparked some ideas in me of how I can become a better (tolerable) partner in any conversation^^. I’ll always remember to apply those tips to my future conversation with someone. If I want to start a conversation with someone in a busy… Read more »
Hi Vanida, I love your expression of “what you said deeply resonated with me.” that’s fabulous! I know every words but I can’t express my idea as good as you.
Dear Annemarie, I really enjoyed your video! Your lesson is very practical and helpful. I tried to answer your challenge questions, but when I started, I found it more challenging than I had first expected! Here’s my answer to your challenge:) 1 Hi! Is it okay for me to talk to you? Do you come here a lot? What do you usually do when you are at a cafe? 2 Hi! How’re you doing? It’s been quite a long time, and I’ve been missing you. What’s happening in your life now? I am not confident in starting a conversation, because… Read more »
Dear Annemarie,
Thank you very much for your lessons, I love them.
Those are my challenges:
with thankfulness,
Paola
Hi Annemarie. Again it was fantastic time for me. Thanks a lot.
Greetings
Ania