Free conversation lessons are a funny thing. Students ask for them because they want to “just talk,” but if neither of you is ready, those 25 minutes can stretch out like a slow Monday afternoon. I should know—I juggle two jobs, ESL tutoring and content writing, and about 30% of my lessons are pure free talk. That’s a lot of chit-chat. Some days, it feels like I’m running a small talk marathon.

The thing is, free talk isn’t as “free” as it sounds. Sure, you’re not following a strict lesson plan, but you’re still guiding the conversation, keeping it relevant, and making sure your student leaves feeling like they learned something. That’s the tricky balance—making it flow naturally while keeping it productive.

I’ve had sessions where the student takes off with a story about their pet parrot, and we barely stop laughing. I’ve also had sessions where my “So, how’s your week?” gets a one-word answer and a polite smile. In moments like that, you either have a plan… or you stare at each other until the timer runs out.

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for a magic list of ways to keep the chat alive, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about how to make free conversation lessons smooth, engaging, and—dare I say—fun for both you and your student.

Know Your Student’s Personality and Learning Goals

Free talk works best when you understand the person sitting across the screen. Some students are natural chatterboxes—they’ll happily fill the time with weekend stories, opinions on their favorite shows, and maybe even a debate about pineapple on pizza. Others? You’ll get short, polite answers that make you wonder if their microphone is working.

This is where a little detective work comes in. On your first few sessions, watch how they respond. Do they jump into topics with enthusiasm, or do they need a nudge? Are they learning English for travel, work, or just for fun? The more you know, the easier it is to steer the conversation in a way that feels comfortable for them.

That said, it can be a little tricky when the student is only there because it’s a requirement—maybe for school, work, or a program they signed up for. In those cases, their energy might be low, and their answers might sound like they’re just ticking a box. It’s not impossible to work with, but it means you have to dig deeper to find topics that wake them up and make them forget they’re “just doing this for class.”

For example, one of my regulars loves sports, but not just watching them—he’s obsessed with strategy. Once I figured that out, I stopped asking general questions like, “What did you do over the weekend?” and started asking, “So, how’s your team’s defense this season?” That tiny shift changed our sessions from polite exchanges to passionate debates.

Think of it like making a playlist for a friend—you wouldn’t just throw random songs in there. You’d choose the ones they’d actually enjoy. Free talk is the same. When you match the topics to their personality and goals, the conversation flows easier, and you don’t have to fight for every sentence.

Prepare a Flexible Topic Bank

Even though it’s called “free” talk, you can’t just wing it every time—at least, not if you want the session to run smoothly. Having a flexible list of go-to topics saves you from those awkward pauses when the conversation suddenly dies.

Your topic bank could be as simple as a list in your notebook or a digital file you update now and then. I keep mine organized by themes—food, travel, work, hobbies, pop culture, “what if” questions—so I can quickly pick something that suits the student’s mood or energy level.

These days, it’s much easier to keep that list fresh thanks to AI. If I need ten conversation starters about coffee culture, I can get them in seconds. Of course, I tweak them to match my students’ level and personality, but having that quick boost means I spend less time prepping and more time actually engaging during class.

Flexibility is key here. Sometimes you’ll prepare to talk about travel, but the student comes in excited about a movie they just saw. Don’t force your plan—ride the wave. The best free talks happen when you’re willing to follow the conversation wherever it naturally goes, while still having backup topics ready if things stall.

Start With Warm-Ups to Break the Ice

A quick warm-up sets the tone and gets students talking early. Try a “Question of the Day,” “Two Truths and a Lie,” or a fun picture prompt.

Keep it light and simple—just enough to loosen them up before diving into the main conversation. Think of it as a friendly stretch before the workout.

Ask Open-Ended and Follow-Up Questions

Skip yes/no traps. Go for questions that invite stories—“What was the best part of your weekend?” instead of “Did you have a good weekend?”

Then, dig deeper with follow-ups like “Why?” or “Can you give me an example?” That’s how small talk turns into real conversation.

Balance Speaking Time (The 70-30 Rule)

Aim for your student to talk about 70% of the time. Your role is to guide, prompt, and keep the flow, not dominate the chat.

A simple trick—answer briefly, then throw the question back to them. Think of yourself as the host, not the main guest.

Correct Without Killing the Flow

Fix big mistakes on the spot if it won’t break their confidence. For smaller ones, jot them down and review after.

Or, repeat their sentence naturally with the right grammar so the correction feels part of the conversation, not a pause button.

Handle Awkward Silences Gracefully

Keep a few “rescue” prompts ready for when the chat stalls. Switch topics, ask a fun question, or comment on something light.

A little humor works too—acknowledge the pause and move on. For example, if things go quiet, you could smile and say, “Looks like we just had a thinking break—shall we try this one?” It keeps the moment light, natural, and stress-free.

Final Thoughts

Free talk is a chance to connect, build trust, and make learning feel less like a lesson and more like a shared experience. The real magic happens when your student leaves feeling energized and eager to talk again.

So, next time you open that video call, what will you do to make the conversation one they’ll remember?