Since you are chatting with someone you have just met, maybe you can introduce yourself to him/her and then ask him/her politely to do the same. The real conversation begins after the introduction. I always love to talk about the "hobbies". It is because everybody has hobbies. Besides that, we are good at talking about what we like to do, aren't we? "Weather" is a good topic for small talks too, especially when you are talking to an English. "Food" is a topic that most people like. Everybody eats!! "Culture" is an interesting topic to discuss when you are chatting with a person from another country with a different background. If you want to appear to be more knowledgeable, perhaps you can talk about current news. Ask him/her about what he/she thinks about the UK new Prime Minister. (have to be careful not to ask too difficult questions,though) Anyway, the first talk need not be too long, but interesting and fun so that the both of you would be excited about the next meet-up. Good luck!

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Art isn't learnt. Self-introduction, topical news, interests, whatever. What is 'useful small talk'? Then what are you supposed to talk about after the small ones running out? You are not gonna talk about big talks? You feel unnatural, you don't talk to him/er.