Welcome to Michele ESL : Have fun!
Learn English! Welcome to Michele ESL http://english-teacher-to-go.com
teacher.michele.chester@gmail.com
Slide 2 : PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
Slide 3 : THE FINE ART OF ENGLISH CONVERSATION LESSON OBJECTIVE
To discuss appropriate small talk topics
To learn common small talk expressions
To discuss the role of small talk in different countries
To have fun speaking English (of course!)
Slide 4 : SMALL TALK What do the words mean to you?
Slide 5 : CULTURE & SMALL TALK Is it common to make small
talk in your country? If so, what
are some common small talk
topics? What are some topics that should
be avoided in casual conversation?
YOU & SMALL TALK : YOU & SMALL TALK Do you enjoy making small talk?
Why or why not? In what situations do people use
small talk?
Slide 7 : Small talk is casual conversation. It is a very important social skill which can
create and strengthen friendships and it can be useful in developing
business relationships.
Small talk with acquaintances is different (and easier) than small talk with
total strangers. With strangers, one of the goals of small talk is to find what you
have in common with the other person. If you are already acquainted,
you probably have something in common; for example, work, your neighborhood,
or school.
Today you are going to learn some expressions in English that you can
use with acquaintances like your co-workers, neighbors, classmates, or the
other people that you see frequently but don’t necessarily know very well.
NOTE: In the United States, relationships are informal and it is common for
strangers to begin talking to each other in public areas (waiting for the elevator,
standing in line at the post office, in the reception area of the doctor’s office, etc.).
Slide 8 : We can divide small talk into 3 steps.
1. The Beginning.
2. The Middle
3. The End
Slide 9 : Small Talk
1. The Beginning Greeting
1. How are you?
2. Hey, how’s it going?
3. Hey, how’re things going?
4. Hey, long time no see.
5. What’s up?
6. What’s new? Response
Good and you?
Pretty good and yourself?
Great. Pretty good. How about you?
Yeah, it’s been a long time. How’s it going?
Not much. How about with you?
Not much. How about with you? Note: In most situations, you will not use
these greetings with strangers.
Slide 10 : Small Talk
2. The Middle How was your weekend? Great. /Pretty good. /Okay.
What did you do? I went to my friend’s house.
How about you?
Do you have any weekend plans? No, I don’t have anything
planned yet.
How is work going? Good. I just finished a project
so it’s not so busy right now.
I like your necklace. Thanks, I bought it in Korea.
Have you ever been there?
It’s hot today. I know. It’s always so hot
during this time of year. This is where you will try to find
the “small talk topic”.
Slide 11 : Small Talk
3. The End Well, it was nice talking with you. Thanks, you too. See you later.
Have a good day. Thanks, you too. Bye.
Have a good one. Thanks, you too. See ya.
Well, I have to go to a meeting. Me too. See you later.
I’ve got to go. See you later. Okay. Have a good day.
I’ve got to run. Me too. Have a good one!
Slide 12 : ACTIVE LISTENING In English, we often use non-verbal behaviors like nodding and
eye contact to show we are listening.
We also use phrases to show that we are paying attention. I see
Right…right…right.
Really?
Exactly.
That sounds …stressful/fun.
I totally agree./diasagree
Amazing.
Slide 13 : Small talk is like ping pong. Bob: Hey, long time no see!
Jane: Yeah, it’s been a long time. How’s it going?
Bob: Pretty good. That sure is a beautiful necklace.
Jane: Thanks. I bought it in Korea.
Bob: Korea? When did you go to Korea?
Jane: Last month. I went on a business trip and stayed
to do some sightseeing.
Bob: Really?
Jane: If you haven’t been, you should go. It’s a beautiful country.
Bob: I’d like to hear more about your trip. We’re trying to decide
where to go for our next vacation.
Jane: Well, stop by when you have a minute. I’ll show you the photos I took.
Bob: Sounds great.
Jane: Well, it was nice talking to you.
Bob: Thanks, you too. Have a good one! Where are some places this
conversation could take place?
2. Are Bob and Jane strangers or
acquaintances?
3. Who finds the “small talk topic”?
What is it?
4. When does this conversation
begin to end?
Slide 14 : 1. Respond with a greeting.
Bob: Hey, long time no see!
You: Small Talk. Now it’s your turn to play ping pong. 3. End the conversation.
You:
Bob: Thanks, you too. Have a
good one! 2. b. Congratulations! You found a small talk topic. Bob is answering your question. Now show you are interested. Use an active listening phrase.
Bob: I went to Italy last month.
I visited five cities in three days.
You:
Bob: I think I saw every monument in
the country. 2. a. Answer then ask a question.
Bob: Korea? When were you in Korea?
You:
Slide 15 : HOMEWORK During the week, practice your small talk skills
with your MicheleESL classmates.
Slide 16 : Next Week We will look at the kind of small talk that happens
when you have to introduce yourself to strangers
in situations like business meetings and social events.
Slide 17 : Michele EFL Please let me know how I can improve your class.
Leave a comment at the end of this session or
contact me at teacher.michele.chester@gmail.com THANK
YOU!