Today we’re tackling a topic that many people who speak English as a second language secretly dread… small talk. Our last two episodes talked about the number one fear of many people, and that’s public speaking in front of a group. But, small talk and speaking one on one with someone you don’t know well can be just as intimidating.

If English is not your first language, small talk can feel confusing, unnecessary, or even exhausting. You might think, “Why am I  talking about the weather with this person when there’s real work to do?”
Well, here’s the answer: small talk isn’t small at all. It’s a social bridge—and learning how to cross it can completely change how confident and connected you feel with native English speakers.