The Power of Fillers:
In English conversations, awkward silences can make people uncomfortable. Native speakers use filler phrases to keep conversations flowing smoothly, transition between topics naturally, and give themselves time to think. These aren't "bad habits" - they're essential communication skills!
Today's Focus: Small Talk & Conversation Fillers
Native speakers rarely have perfectly smooth conversations without any pauses or transitions. Instead, they use
conversation fillers to bridge gaps, change topics, and keep dialogue natural.
Today you'll learn 6 essential filler phrases that will make your English conversations flow effortlessly.
What You'll Learn Today
3 phrases to transition between topics smoothly
3 phrases to give yourself thinking time
How to avoid awkward silences
Small talk strategies for any situation
Practice with 9 random conversation topics
5-minute "keep talking" challenge
Why This Matters
Being able to keep a conversation going is just as important as having good vocabulary. These filler phrases help you:
Buy time to think of what to say next
Change topics without seeming rude
Sound more natural and fluent
Prevent awkward silences
Show you're engaged in the conversation
Conversation Flow
Natural Conversation Pattern
Topic A
"So, how was your weekend?"
→
Transition
"That reminds me..."
→
Topic B
"Have you seen that new restaurant?"
Lesson Structure
Smooth Topic Transitions
Click each expression to see the meaning and example
These phrases help you change topics naturally without awkward jumps. Use them when you want to shift the conversation to something related.
3 Ways to Transition Topics
1. "Speaking of which..." / "Speaking of..."
Meaning: Connects to something just mentioned - signals you're moving to a related topic Formality: Neutral (works everywhere) When to use: When the current topic reminds you of something related
Example conversation:
A: "I had such a busy week at work."
B: "Yeah, I can imagine. Speaking of work, did you hear about the new office opening downtown?"
2. "That reminds me..." / "That makes me think of..."
Meaning: Shows a mental connection to something else - very natural way to switch topics Formality: Informal/Casual When to use: When something in the conversation triggers a memory or related thought
Example conversation:
A: "I love Italian food. That pasta was amazing."
B: "That reminds me - have you been to that new Italian place on Main Street? I heard it's fantastic."
3. "By the way..." / "Oh, by the way..."
Meaning: Introduces a new or slightly different topic - signals a shift in conversation Formality: Neutral/Casual When to use: When you want to mention something important you just remembered or move to a new topic
Example conversation:
A: "So that's what happened at the meeting."
B: "Interesting. By the way, did you get my email about the project deadline?"
Practice Topic Transitions
Practice flowing between these topics using transition phrases:
Scenario 1:
Someone mentions their vacation → You want to talk about travel tips Try: "Speaking of..." or "That reminds me..."
Scenario 2:
You're discussing movies → You remember you need to ask about borrowing a book Try: "By the way..." or "Speaking of which..."
Scenario 3:
Talking about the weather → You want to mention weekend plans Try: "That reminds me..." or "By the way..."
Pro Tip: After using a transition phrase, briefly explain the connection:
"Speaking of work... (I wanted to mention something about my project)"
"That reminds me... (We were talking about restaurants and I just remembered)"
This makes the transition feel more natural and less abrupt.
Thinking Fillers & Pauses
It's OK to Think! Native speakers use these phrases constantly to give themselves a moment to think.
They prevent awkward silences and show you're engaged in the conversation. Don't feel guilty about using them - they're natural and expected!
3 Ways to Buy Thinking Time
4. "You know what..." / "You know..."
Meaning: Emphasizes what you're about to say or gives you time to organize your thoughts Formality: Informal/Casual When to use: When you want to make a point or need a second to think
Example conversation:
A: "What do you think about working from home?"
B: "You know what, I actually think it depends on the person. Some people love it, others hate it."
5. "Anyway..." / "But anyway..."
Meaning: Returns to the main point or wraps up a digression - signals refocusing Formality: Neutral When to use: When you got sidetracked and want to return to your original point, or to move forward
Example conversation:
A: "So we went to three different stores looking for the right paint color..."
B: "Wow, that's dedication!"
A: "Yeah. Anyway, we finally found the perfect shade and finished the living room this weekend."
6. "So..." / "Well..."
Meaning: The most basic fillers - give you time to think and signal you're about to continue Formality: Universal (works everywhere) When to use: Anytime you need a brief pause to gather your thoughts
Example conversation:
A: "How do you feel about the new proposal?"
B: "Well... I think it has some good points, but I'm concerned about the timeline. So, my main issue is..."
The Art of Natural Pausing
Natural vs. Awkward Silence
❌ Awkward (No Fillers):
A: "What did you do this weekend?"
B: [long silence] "I went hiking."
✅ Natural (With Fillers):
A: "What did you do this weekend?"
B: "Oh, well, you know... I actually went hiking up in the mountains. It was beautiful!"
Practice Using Fillers
Try answering these questions using filler phrases:
Question 1:
"What's your opinion on electric cars?" Try starting with: "You know what..." or "Well..."
Question 2:
Tell a story but go off on a tangent, then return to the main point Use: "Anyway..." to get back on track
Question 3:
"Why did you choose your career?" Use: "So..." and "Well..." while thinking
Important: These fillers work best when combined with good eye contact and an engaged tone.
If you look away and mumble, they sound uncertain. If you maintain eye contact and use them confidently, they sound natural!
Choose Your Small Talk Topics
How this works: Select 2-3 topic cards below. These are common small talk topics you might encounter anywhere -
at work, at parties, with strangers, or with friends. Practice using your transition phrases and fillers to keep conversations flowing naturally.
Select Your Topics (Click 2-3 Cards)
Weekend Plans
Talk about what you did last weekend or what you're planning for the next one. Practice transitioning to related topics naturally.
Recent News
Discuss something interesting you heard in the news recently. Use fillers to express opinions and keep the conversation going.
Weather & Seasons
The classic small talk topic! Discuss weather, seasonal changes, or how weather affects your plans. Transition to other topics smoothly.
Food & Restaurants
Talk about favorite restaurants, cuisines you enjoy, or cooking experiences. Use "That reminds me..." to share food stories.
Movies & TV Shows
Discuss what you're watching, favorite shows, or movies you'd recommend. Practice keeping the conversation flowing with fillers.
Travel Stories
Share travel experiences or dream destinations. Use transition phrases to connect different travel stories naturally.
Technology Trends
Talk about new apps, gadgets, or tech trends you've noticed. Use "By the way..." to shift between different tech topics.
Hobbies & Interests
Discuss what you do in your free time or new hobbies you want to try. Practice using fillers when explaining why you enjoy them.
Local Events
Talk about concerts, festivals, or events happening in your area. Use "Speaking of..." to connect to related activities.
Your Selected Topics:
Click 2-3 cards above to select your small talk topics...
Discussion Instructions
For each topic you selected:
Round 1: Start the Conversation (1 minute):
Introduce your chosen topic naturally. Use a filler like "So..." or "Well..." to begin.
Round 2: Keep It Going (2-3 minutes):
Your teacher will respond and ask questions. Practice using transition phrases to shift between subtopics. Use thinking fillers when you need time.
Round 3: Topic Bridge (1 minute):
Smoothly transition from one selected topic to another using "Speaking of...", "That reminds me...", or "By the way..."
Challenge: Try to connect all your selected topics in one flowing conversation!
This is exactly how native speakers chat - jumping naturally from topic to topic using these transition phrases.
Transitions:
Speaking of which...
That reminds me...
By the way...
Fillers:
You know what...
Anyway...
So... / Well...
"Keep Talking" Challenge
The Ultimate Fluency Test! Your goal is to talk continuously for the full time without long awkward silences.
Use all the fillers and transition phrases you've learned. It's OK to pause briefly - just use a filler and keep going!
Select Your Challenge
My Perfect Day
"Talk about your perfect day from morning to night"
My City Tour
"Describe your hometown or current city to someone who's never been there"
Topic Juggling
"Talk about three different topics and connect them naturally"
Weekly Routine
"Explain your typical week - Monday to Sunday"
Past, Present, Future
"Talk about your past, present, and future plans"
Mystery Topics
"Teacher assigns random topics - you must transition smoothly"
Click a challenge above to begin
5:00
Starting:
"So, let me tell you about..."
"Well, if I think about..."
"You know what, I'll start with..."
Continuing:
"And another thing is..."
"That reminds me of..."
"Speaking of which..."
When Stuck:
"Let me think... well..."
"You know..."
"So... where was I? Oh yes..."
Refocusing:
"Anyway, as I was saying..."
"But yeah, the main point is..."
"So to get back to that..."
Rules for Success:
• Use at least 4 different filler/transition phrases
• No silences longer than 3 seconds
• If you get stuck, use a filler and keep going
• It's OK to repeat yourself - just keep talking!
• Make eye contact and stay engaged
After the Timer Exercise
Reflection Questions:
• How many different filler phrases did you use?
• Were you able to keep talking without long pauses?
• Which fillers felt most natural for you?
• Did you successfully transition between topics?
• What was the hardest part of this challenge?
Bonus: Elevator Small Talk
2-Minute Challenge: Imagine you're in an elevator with a colleague or neighbor.
Start with weather or weekend plans, then transition to at least two other topics before the "elevator" reaches the destination.
Make it feel natural and comfortable!
Lesson Review
What You Learned Today
Topic Transitions
Speaking of which...
That reminds me...
By the way...
Thinking Fillers
You know what...
Anyway...
So... / Well...
The Complete Conversation Toolkit
How to Keep Any Conversation Going
1. Start naturally: "So..." or "Well..." 2. Give yourself thinking time: "You know..." or "Let me think..." 3. Transition topics: "That reminds me..." or "Speaking of which..." 4. Return to main point: "Anyway..." or "But yeah..." 5. Introduce new topics: "By the way..."
Your Practice Sessions
Today you practiced:
Key Takeaways
Remember these principles:
1. Fillers are natural and necessary: Don't feel guilty about using them. Native speakers use them constantly.
2. Transitions make you sound fluent: Smoothly moving between topics shows conversation mastery, not just vocabulary knowledge.
3. Confidence matters more than perfection: Use fillers confidently with eye contact, and they sound natural. Mumble them while looking away, and they sound uncertain.
4. Practice makes automatic: The more you use these phrases, the more naturally they'll come out in real conversations.
5. Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how often English speakers use these exact phrases in movies, podcasts, and daily life.
Homework (Optional)
Practice Task:
This week, focus on noticing and using conversation fillers:
Day 1-2: Notice when you want to pause or change topics in conversations. Mentally practice using English transition phrases. Day 3-4: Watch English content (YouTube, podcasts, TV) and count how many times you hear "You know", "So", "Well", "Anyway" Day 5-7: In actual English conversations (or practice), deliberately use 3 different fillers/transitions
Bonus Challenge: Have a 5-minute phone conversation in English where you use at least 5 of the expressions learned today!
Next in the Series
Speaking Naturally 05: Complaining & Dealing with Problems
In the next lesson, you'll learn how to express frustration and solve problems politely in English, including:
• 6 polite complaint expressions
• How to escalate issues diplomatically
• Problem scenario practice
• Cultural differences in complaining
Teacher's Notes
Space for teacher observations:
• Which fillers did the student use most naturally?
• Were topic transitions smooth or awkward?
• How comfortable was the student with silence vs. using fillers?
• Performance in "keep talking" challenge:
• Notes for next lesson:
Excellent work today!
You now know how to keep any English conversation flowing naturally!