English conversation B1–B2: stories and opinions
For B1–B2 English conversation, combine a short story with follow-up questions. At B1, work on event order and reasons; at B2, compare options and respond to an objection. Use invented situations and agree whether corrections come at the end.
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- Reading time
- 4 min read
B1: tell an experience with a beginning and end
Choose an everyday experience: learning a recipe, finishing a book or trying a game. Describe what happened, the difficulty and how it ended. Invent a situation to practice without revealing personal history.
Start with a one-minute story. Your partner can ask What happened next? or Why did you choose that? Prioritize clear sequencing.
- At first… — Al principio…
- Then I realised that… — Introduce a realization.
- In the end… — Al final…
- The most difficult part was… — Describe the main difficulty.
B2: compare two options and acknowledge a limit
Choose two options with different benefits, such as cooking at home or eating out. Explain your criterion: time, variety or imaginary cost. The task is to argue a case, not persuade your partner.
Add an exception with It depends on… and listen for a different criterion. Disagreement can give you material to rephrase your opinion.
| Function | Ejemplo |
|---|---|
| Contrastar | Cooking at home is flexible, whereas eating out saves preparation time. |
| Añadir un límite | That works for a short visit, but it may be difficult for a longer stay. |
| Pedir razones | What makes that option better for you? |
| Cambiar una condición | Would your answer change if you had less time? |
Exercise: organize an imaginary weekend
Choose between a cultural activity and a trip. Use a fictional budget and approximate duration; do not share bookings or your real location.
- 1
Describe
Each person presents a plan for one minute. At B1, describe activities in order and give a reason.
- 2
Ask
Ask two follow-up questions about the plan: What would you do first? and What could go wrong?
- 3
Contrast
At B2, compare both options using a shared criterion and raise a respectful objection.
- 4
Summarize
Explain your partner's preference before your own. Request a specific correction only if agreed.
Review coherence before adding vocabulary
After practice, write three sentences: your initial idea, one reason and the conclusion. If a connection was missing, find a connector and repeat the story.
Also note a follow-up question you could not form. Avoid recording your partner's personal details. If comfortable comparing, the C1 guide offers more detailed rephrasing and nuance.
Bring your practice to notmegle
notmegle offers browser-based 1:1 video conversations for adults 18+ and requires an account. Before searching, prepare your camera and microphone, review available preferences and agree on the topic and language with your partner.
A preference does not guarantee an immediate match or establish someone's level or native-speaker status. The service does not replace lessons, assessment or a teacher. You can move on, block or report when needed.
Sources consulted
Primary sources reviewed for this guide. The consultation date appears beside each link.
- CEFR levelsCouncil of Europe · accessed on
- CEFR: companion volume and language versionsCouncil of Europe · accessed on
Frequently asked questions
How do I adapt the same exercise to B1 and B2?
At B1, explain a plan in order and give a reason. At B2, compare plans, add a condition and answer an objection. The topic can stay the same; the communication task changes.
Must I debate controversial topics to practice B2?
No. Food, leisure or fictional plans allow comparison, reasoning and nuance. Choose topics both accept and switch if someone feels uncomfortable.