Lesson 36: Talking About Weather

In this lesson: Today we're learning weather vocabulary and expressions so you can talk about the weather and start simple small talk conversations.

🗣️ How to Say It

Weather = WETH-ur (two syllables, stress first one)

Raining = RAY-ning (two syllables, stress first one)

Snowing = SNOH-wing (two syllables, stress first one)

Sunny = SUN-ee (two syllables, stress first one)

Cloudy = KLOWD-ee (two syllables, stress first one)

🧠 What do you already know?

Say out loud 5 weather words you already know in English (rain, sun, snow, etc.)

☀️ Why Weather Matters

"Isn't it hot today?" / "Terrible weather we're having!" / "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

Weather is THE universal small talk. On buses, waiting rooms, coffee shops, elevators — strangers bond over weather. It's the safest topic that makes you sound natural and engaged.

🌧️ Weather Types & Expressions

☀️ Sunny / Clear: "It's sunny today" / "Clear skies" / "Bright sunshine"

🌧️ Rainy / Wet: "It's raining" / "It's pouring" / "Rainy weather" / "Wet"

❄️ Cold / Snow: "It's freezing" / "It's cold" / "Snowing" / "Icy roads"

💨 Windy: "It's windy" / "Breezy" / "Strong winds"

☁️ Cloudy: "Overcast" / "Cloudy" / "Grey skies"

✍️ YOUR TURN: Match the word

1. If it's wet outside: "It's (raining / freezing)"

2. If it's below 0°C: "It's (windy / freezing)"

💬 Weather + Opinions (Describing How Weather Feels)

Positive: "Beautiful day!" / "Perfect weather" / "Lovely sunshine" / "Gorgeous"

Negative: "Terrible weather" / "Awful rain" / "Miserable cold" / "Horrible wind"

Impact on you: "It's so hot I can't work" / "The cold is unbearable" / "Perfect for a walk"

Small talk formulas:

"Isn't it [adjective + weather]?"
"What [terrible/beautiful] weather!"
"I [love/hate] this [weather type]"

✍️ YOUR TURN: Complete these small talk starters

1. "Isn't it today?" (Use a weather adjective)

2. "The weather is so , I ." (Complete with how it affects you)

💬 Guided Dialogue Practice: How Small Talk Flows

See how weather conversations actually work — they're short exchanges, not long monologues.

Example 1: At a bus stop (sunny day)

Person A: "Isn't it hot today?"
Person B: "Yes! Perfect for the beach."
Person A: "Exactly. I love this weather!"

Notice: Short turns, agreement, natural flow.

Example 2: In a shop (rainy day)

Person A: "Terrible weather, isn't it?"
Person B: "I know. I got soaked coming here."
Person A: "Me too. At least it will cool things down."

Notice: Sympathy, common experience, quick resolution.

Example 3: With a friend (cold day)

Person A: "Brr, it's freezing!"
Person B: "I know. Did you see the snow?"
Person A: "Yes, schools might close tomorrow."

Notice: Exclamation, question, prediction (natural flow).

🎤 Your Turn: Create Simple Weather Dialogues

Now YOU say short 3-4 line weather conversations. Keep them simple — just like the examples above.

Dialogue 1: On a warm, sunny day

Two people greet each other and chat about the nice weather.

Person A:
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:

Dialogue 2: During rain

A stranger and you chat about the rainy weather.

Stranger:
You:
Stranger:
You:

Dialogue 3: Cold/snowy day

You meet a friend and comment on the cold weather.

You:
Friend:
You:
Friend:

🔄 Quick Review

From Lesson 19: Describing Things

Question: What adjectives did you learn for describing objects? (big, small, beautiful, ugly)

Answer: Any descriptive adjectives work (beautiful, terrible, lovely, awful, horrible, nice, pretty)

From Lesson 30: Unit 3 Review

Question: How do you give an opinion? What expressions start with "I think"?

Answer: "I think...", "In my opinion...", "I believe...", "It seems like..."

From Lesson 33: First Conditional

Question: Form a first conditional about weather: "If it rains tomorrow, ..."

Answer: "If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home" or similar (If + present, will + verb)

From Lesson 34: Questions

Question: Form a WH-question about the weather: "What ... the temperature?"

Answer: "What is the temperature?" or "What's the weather like?" (auxiliary before subject)

📝 Final Assessment: Weather Small Talk

Write a 4-line weather small talk dialogue:

You meet someone at a bus stop. The weather is cold and snowy. Write a short conversation where you start by commenting on the weather, and they respond. Keep each line short and natural.

Line 1 (You start):
Line 2 (They respond):
Line 3 (You continue):
Line 4 (They reply):

Reflection: Which weather expressions felt most natural to you?

✅ I can: Talk about the weather and start simple small talk conversations

🧠 Learning Tool

Which activity helped you most? The vocab? The examples? The practice conversations?

☀️ Lesson 36: Talking About Weather