Small talk

• English
• Secundair onderwijs

Small talk

What is small talk?

Who makes small talk?

Who makes small talk?

• People who don't know each other.
• People who don't know each other well.
  

Where do people make small talk?

Where do people make small talk?

- anywhere

Why do people make small talk?

Why do people make small talk?

* To break the silence

* To fill time

* To get to know someone

What are small talk topics?

What are small talk topics?

- weather

- sports

- food

- travel

- movies /TV

- current events

- ...

Watch the next video and make the exercise on your handout.

What would be a good way to start small talk?

What would be a good way to start small talk?

What would be a good way to start small talk?

What would be a good way to start small talk?

What would be a good way to start small talk?

Choose the best answer:

Hello, how's it going?

1. I'm going to the market, thanks.
2. I will be going by bus.
3. Excellent, I just got a new job!
4. I am going to do an English test

Choose the best answer:

Hey, what's up?

1. I'm over 6 feet tall.
2. Nothing much, you?
3. The bird is up in the tree.
4. If you look above, there are clouds in the sky.

Choose the best answer:

Hi, how are you doing?

1. I am doing my English homework now.
2. We are going to the mall right now.
3. We are not doing anything here.
4. Great, thanks. I just passed my exam.

Choose the best answer:

Long time, no see!

1. I can't see anything right now, I forgot my glasses.
2. Yes, it certainly has been a while.
3. I will see you soon.
4. See you later!

Choose the best answer:

How have you been?

1. I've been to many places since we last met.
2. There are several diffent ways to go.
3. I have you to thank for that!
4. Just a little under the weather recently.

Choose the best answer:

Have you heard the news?

1. No, I haven't. What's going on?
2. Yes, I have heard the news, thanks, and you?
3. The news is on TV every evening at 6pm.
4. There is no news to report to you.

Choose the best answer:
(It is raining) Do you know if it's going to clear up soon?

1. I listened to the weather report today.
2. I haven't heard anything, sorry.
3. There are many clouds in the sky.
4. It is raining right now, don't you think?

Choose the best answer:

What's the weather like were you live?

1. Yes, I like the weather here very much.
2. I do not like climate change.
3. It is quite hot now.
4. There is no weather at all.

Choose the best answer:

What do you do for a living?

1. I am a carpenter, and I work at a small company.
2. I am making a living, thanks.
3. I am living near the hospital downtown.
4. My living room is very small.

Choose the best answer:

What kind of films do you like?

1. A am happy when I watch films very often.
2. There are popular films in the cinema now.
3. I have seen several films that I like.
4. 3D animation fims are my favourite.

What can we talk about?

Put the topics in the correct column.

Things you can talk about

Things you should avoud talking about

Family

Films

Current events

Work

Hobbies

Sports

The weather

Clothing

Religion

Death

Politics

Salary

Health

I'm taking my driving test tomorrow

Have a good weekend

This is Abbey my new flatmate.

I got married last week!

AAAtchooo!!!

Would you like a cup of coffee?

Can I have another slice of cake?

Come in and make yourself at home.

Can you give me a hand?

How's it going?

I didn't get the job.

Is everything OK?

Are you going to Li's party?

I've heard a lot about you.

Thank you.

Good luck!

The same to you.

Pleased to meet you.

Congratulations!

Yes, please.

Help yourself.

Of course.

Bless you!

Not bad.

Oh, sorry to hear that.

Thank you.

Yes, everything is fine.

I want to, but I can't.

Really? All good I hope.

You're welcome!

An important aspect of making small talk is to encourage someone to speak and to show interest in what they are saying. The following techniques will help you to accomplish this.

• Echo questions.
• Echo words.
• Showing attention and agreement.
• 'Wh' follow-up questions.
  

Echo questions:

To make echo questions, repeat the verb to be, auxiliary verb, or use 'to do' in the correct tense if there isn't an auxiliary verb.

Examples:

A) I can speak three languages. ---------- B) Can you?

A) They went to Japan last week. -------- B) Did they?

Reply to the statement using an echo question:

I like pop music.

Reply to the statement using an echo question:

She works as an accountant.

Reply to the statement using an echo question:

It's a really nice place to visit.

Echo words

Repetition of key words back to the speaker also helps to show interest in what the speaker is saying. Echo words can also be used to direct the conversation, depending on which echo word is used.

Example:

* I have just bought a new car. It cost £100,000. --------- £100,000!

* I travelled around Asia for six months. -------------Six months!

Reply to the statements with echo-words:

• I'm going to Italy next week.
• It took me two hours to get here.
• Harry is looking for a new job.
• I saw Sophia yesterday.

Showing attention and agreement.

When making small talk, it's a good idea to show agreement and sound curious about what the speaker is saying. You can use words like:

Really?              Yeah.                Uhuh.                Yes.

Right.                 Sure.                How interesting.

I see.

'Wh' follow-up questions.

To keep a conversation going and to help show interest, ask 'Wh' questions, otherwise it may sound like you are 'grilling' the other person.

Example:

I went to the hospital yesterday.

•  Really? Why was that, then?
• Which hospital did you go to?
• I see. What did the doctor say?
  

She teaches.

Whatch the vidio and make the exercise on your handout.

Start a conversation by showing interest. Choose a sentences to start:

• Where do you live?
• What are you going to do at the weekend?
• Do you like going to the cinema?
• Have you ever been abroad?
• How long have you studied English?
• Where do you come from?
• How do you come to class?
• What is your favourite food?
• What do you do when you're not working/studying?
• Where will you go on holiday?