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In this free IELTS Speaking lesson on the topic of Socialising, you will learn how to talk about different styles of making friends and developing conversations.
Table of Contents
IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Socialising
Here are some useful words you need to know to talk confidently about the topic of Socialising.
To socialise (v.) = to meet other people
Socialising (n.)
I don’t mind socialising!
Society (n.)
Social (adj. to describe things)
- A social worker
- Social benefits
- A social club
- Social media
- Social networks
Sociable (adj. to describe a person)
I am a sociable person
Here are some synonyms for the adjective sociable
- friendly
- gregarious = outgoing
- affable / amiable = friendly
- approachable = easy to talk to
Of course, we are not sociable all the time, sometimes we may be in the opposite mood. In this case we may say,
He’s rather unfriendly,
Here are some synonyms for the adjective unfriendly
- solitary = likes to be on their own
- aloof = to be distant (cold)
- cold
IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Making friends
Below we have some useful phrases to talk about meeting new people and making friends.
- To meet new friends
- To make friends
- To get to know someone
Be careful, an acquaintance is not a synonym of friend.
An acquaintance is someone you know, but is not a friend.
- I would like to make some new friends
- I like to hang out with friends
- I love to chit chat with friends over coffee
- I love to have a good chit-chat with my friend, Adlay.
- Let’s catch up soon (make contact, meet and go out)
To connect = to get along well
= to click with someone
= to get on like a house on fire
We really connected!
Finally here are some informal ways to say ‘to visit a friend’
- Pop over
- Pop by
- Drop in
- Drop by
- Stop in
- Stop by
- Swing by
Why don’t you pop over tomorrow for a coffee?
Can I drop by tomorrow morning to have a chat?
Swing by anytime, I am always happy to catch up.
IELTS Speaking topic: Socialising at work or university
Socialising and meeting new people is a key part of both university life and also working life. In this section, we will see some phrases and collocations you can use to discuss this topic.
To make contacts = to meet people because they can be useful
- To build relationships with people
- Build a connection with someone
- To network (v.) (at a party or an event) = to meet people for work reasons
- To mingle (v.) (at a party or an event) = to chat informally to people
There is a famous book by Dale Carnegie all about making friends and influencing people. Here are some of the main pieces of advice he gives about how to successfully make friends.
- Be helpful
- Listen
- Don’t complain
- Build rapport = having the same emotion, being on the same page
- Smile
- Remember names
Find out more in Dale’s book, it is well worth reading.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
IELTS Speaking topic: Small talk
When we meet people and talk about unimportant things, usually to break the ice and just start a conversation, this is called small talk.
When meeting someone new, it’s a way of finding common ground (= find something you have in common).
What do you talk about when you meet new people in your country?
Depending on the country and culture, certain topics maybe very popular, and others maybe taboo (=a topic you must not talk about).
Here are some common topics and taboos for many British people.
Popular Small Talk
Small Talk to Be careful with
- Family
- Religion
- Politics
- Age
- Salary
English speaking tips: Developing conversations
Often in real life, as well as in IELTS, we don’t know how to keep a conversation going. We run out of ideas or just don’t know what it is appropriate to talk about.
Here are some tips and language to help you develop conversations in English.
Listening and Encouraging Others
Say the following to encourage the other person to keep talking:
- Tell me more
- Uh huh
- Really
- No way
- That’s interesting
When you don’t really understand
- Be open and say,
I didn’t quite understand, can you repeat that?
- Be native and say,
I don’t really follow…(silence)
I don’t fully get it, can you explain that again?
What do you mean exactly?
Winding up – Finishing the Conversation
Anyway…
- It has been nice meeting you
- It’s been nice chatting
- I’ll let you get on
- I don’t want to keep you
- I need to make a move (=leave)
- I’m off, catch you late
- I need to run
IELTS Speaking idioms about socialising
To break the ice = to start a conversation easily, help people relax
When I meet people at a party I never know how to break the ice!
A fair-weather friend = a friend only when times are good
Jack didn’t help me at all when I was in trouble. I realised he is just a fair-weather friend
To chew the fat = to chit chat informally
Let’s go for a coffee and chew the fat
To be a moaning Minnie (=someone who always complains)
Don’t be a moaning Minnie
To give someone the time of day = to give someone your time and to listen to them.
More Free Lessons
If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!
There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.
HEALTH in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary and collocations to talk about health.
FRIENDS in IELTS Speaking Listening practice about friends and essential vocabulary to talk about your friends.
SOCIAL MEDIA in IELTS Speaking. Improve your listening and speaking skills for the topic of social media.
