Conversation is where English becomes useful. You can know vocabulary and grammar, but if you can't use them in real conversation, what's the point? This guide gives you actual dialogues to practice, memorize, and adapt.
Don't just read these. Speak them aloud. Practice both sides. Record yourself. These scripts become building blocks you'll use in real situations.
Basic Greetings and Responses
Every conversation starts with a greeting. Master these first.
Dialogue 1: Meeting Someone New
A: Hello! I'm Priya. Nice to meet you.
B: Hi Priya. I'm Rahul. Nice to meet you too.
A: Are you from Hyderabad?
B: Yes, I live in KPHB area. What about you?
A: I'm from Secunderabad. I work near here.
Key phrases to remember:
- "Nice to meet you" (first meeting)
- "Nice to see you again" (meeting someone you've met before)
- "What about you?" (returning a question)
Dialogue 2: Greeting a Colleague
A: Good morning, Sanjay! How are you?
B: Good morning! I'm fine, thank you. How about you?
A: I'm doing well. Busy day today?
B: Yes, we have a meeting at 11. Will you be there?
A: Yes, I'll be there. See you then!
Variations:
- "I'm good" / "I'm fine" / "I'm doing well" / "Not bad"
- "How are you?" / "How's it going?" / "How have you been?"
Self Introduction Dialogues
Introducing yourself happens constantly: new jobs, classes, social events. Have a smooth introduction ready.
Dialogue 3: Casual Introduction
A: So, tell me about yourself.
B: Sure! My name is Deepika. I'm from Vizag, but I've been living in Hyderabad for two years. I work as a software developer at TCS.
A: Oh, that's interesting. Do you like living in Hyderabad?
B: Yes, I do. The weather is nice, and there are many job opportunities here. What about you?
Dialogue 4: Professional Introduction
A: Could you introduce yourself to the team?
B: Of course. Hello everyone. My name is Arun Kumar. I'm joining as a marketing associate. I graduated from OU last year. Before this, I interned at a startup in Bangalore. I'm excited to learn and contribute to the team.
A: Welcome, Arun. We're glad to have you here.
Introduction structure:
- Name
- Where you're from / where you live
- What you do (work/study)
- Something interesting about yourself
Shopping and Restaurant Conversations
These everyday situations require specific phrases.
Dialogue 5: Shopping for Clothes
Customer: Excuse me, do you have this shirt in medium size?
Staff: Let me check. Yes, we do. Here you are.
Customer: Thank you. Can I try it on?
Staff: Of course. The trial room is on the left.
Customer: How much does it cost?
Staff: It's 899 rupees.
Customer: Okay, I'll take it.
Useful shopping phrases:
- "Do you have this in [size/color]?"
- "Can I try this on?"
- "How much is this?"
- "Do you have anything cheaper?"
- "I'll take it" / "I'll think about it"
Dialogue 6: Ordering at a Restaurant
Waiter: Good evening. Are you ready to order?
Customer: Yes. I'll have the paneer butter masala and two rotis.
Waiter: Would you like something to drink?
Customer: Yes, one lime soda, please.
Waiter: Anything else?
Customer: That's all for now, thank you.
Customer: Excuse me, can I have the bill, please?
Waiter: Of course. I'll bring it right away.
Restaurant phrases:
- "I'll have..." (ordering)
- "Can I get...?" (requesting)
- "What do you recommend?"
- "Is this spicy?"
- "Can I have the bill, please?"
Asking for Directions
Getting lost is common. Knowing how to ask and understand directions is essential.
Dialogue 7: Finding a Location
You: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the metro station?
Person: Sure. Go straight on this road for about 200 meters. Then turn left at the traffic signal. The metro station is on your right.
You: Straight, then left at the signal. Is it far?
Person: No, it's about a 5-minute walk.
You: Thank you so much!
Person: You're welcome.
Direction phrases:
- "Go straight" / "Walk straight ahead"
- "Turn left/right"
- "It's on your left/right"
- "Cross the road"
- "It's next to / opposite / near"
Dialogue 8: Taking an Auto/Cab
You: Hi, can you take me to Ameerpet?
Driver: Yes. Meter or fixed rate?
You: Meter, please.
Driver: Okay, please sit.
[During the ride]
You: Please stop here, near the hospital.
Driver: Here?
You: Yes, this is good. How much?
Driver: 150 rupees.
You: Here you go. Thank you.
Phone Conversations
Phone calls can be tricky because you can't see the other person. Practice these common scenarios.
Dialogue 9: Calling a Business
You: Hello, is this ABC Computers?
Staff: Yes, this is ABC Computers. How can I help you?
You: I want to ask about laptop repair. Do you repair HP laptops?
Staff: Yes, we do. What's the problem?
You: The screen is not working. How much will it cost?
Staff: We need to check the laptop first. Can you bring it to our shop?
You: Yes. What are your timings?
Staff: We're open from 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Saturday.
You: Thank you. I'll come tomorrow.
Dialogue 10: Making an Appointment
You: Hello, I'd like to make an appointment with Dr. Sharma.
Receptionist: Sure. Is this for a new consultation or follow-up?
You: New consultation.
Receptionist: Okay. Dr. Sharma is available on Thursday at 4 PM or Friday at 11 AM. Which works for you?
You: Thursday at 4 PM is fine.
Receptionist: Can I have your name and phone number?
You: My name is Ravi Teja. Number is 9876543210.
Receptionist: Done. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
You: Thank you.
Phone conversation tips:
- Speak clearly and slightly slower than usual
- Confirm important details by repeating them
- It's okay to say "Could you repeat that?"
Practice Methods at Home
Having dialogues is one thing. Practicing them effectively is another.
Method 1: Solo Practice (Both Roles)
Read the dialogue playing both roles. Switch voices or positions for each speaker. This feels silly but works well for building comfort with the phrases.
Method 2: Record and Compare
Record yourself doing both sides of a dialogue. Listen back. Compare with how a native speaker would say the same things (find similar dialogues on YouTube).
Method 3: Modify and Expand
Take a dialogue and change details: different names, different locations, different items. This forces you to actually produce language, not just repeat.
Method 4: Partner Practice
Find someone to practice with, family or friend. Take turns being each speaker. Try to continue beyond the scripted dialogue into natural conversation.
For more home practice methods, see our main guide on learning English at home.
Expanding Beyond Scripts
Scripts are training wheels. The goal is natural conversation. As you practice:
- Add your own sentences to the dialogues
- Improvise responses instead of following exactly
- Try to have longer conversations on the same topic
- Use the phrases in real situations
For everyday sentences you can use immediately, see our collection of daily use sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dialogues should I practice daily?
Quality over quantity. Master 1-2 dialogues before moving to new ones. Practice the same dialogue multiple ways (changing details, extending the conversation) rather than rushing through many different ones.
Should I memorize these word-for-word?
Memorize the key phrases and structure, not every word. The goal is being able to adapt these patterns to your real situations, not perfect recitation.
How do I practice if I don't have a partner?
Solo practice works well: read both parts aloud, record yourself, modify the scripts. You can also use AI chatbots for basic conversation practice.
What if people don't respond like the script?
Real conversations never follow scripts exactly. The dialogues teach you patterns and vocabulary. When real responses differ, use your knowledge to adapt. This is normal.
How long until I can have real conversations?
You can attempt simple real conversations immediately. Practice builds confidence. Start with low-stakes situations like ordering food or asking for directions. Progress to longer conversations as comfort grows.
Conversation skills develop through practice, not just study. Use these dialogues as starting points, then apply them in your real life.
For structured speaking exercises, see our guide on speaking practice for beginners.