Chapter 2: Small Talk and Conversational Phrases
1.
Engaging in Small Talk
Objective: Learn to initiate and engage in small talk by discussing common topics like weather, hobbies, and interests.
Content:
- Discussing Weather:
- Example Phrases:
- “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t
it?”
- “Looks like it’s going to
rain.”
- “It’s quite chilly today,
don’t you think?”
- Discussing Hobbies:
- Example Phrases:
- “Do you have any hobbies?”
- “I love reading. What about
you?”
- “In my free time, I enjoy
hiking. How do you spend your free time?”
- Discussing Interests:
- Example Phrases:
- “What are you interested in?”
- “I’m really into photography.
How about you?”
- “Are you interested in
sports? Which ones?”
Practice Activity:
- Pair up with a classmate and engage in small talk about
the weather, hobbies, and interests. Focus on asking questions and sharing
information.
2.
Asking About Someone’s Weekend or Holiday
Objective: Learn how to ask and respond to questions about someone’s weekend or holiday to build rapport.
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Content:
- Asking About the Weekend:
- Example Phrases:
- “How was your weekend?”
- “Did you do anything fun over
the weekend?”
- “What did you get up to this
weekend?”
- Asking About Holidays:
- Example Phrases:
- “Did you go anywhere for your
holiday?”
- “How was your vacation?”
- “What did you do during the
holiday?”
Practice Activity:
- Practice asking and answering questions about the
weekend or holiday with a partner. Share genuine experiences and listen
actively to your partner’s responses.
3.
Using Conversational Phrases to Keep the Conversation Flowing
Objective: Learn and use conversational phrases to keep conversations going smoothly.
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Content:
- Showing Interest:
- Example Phrases:
- “Really? Tell me more about
that.”
- “That sounds interesting!”
- “Wow, I’d love to hear more.”
- Agreeing and Disagreeing Politely:
- Example Phrases:
- “I agree with you.”
- “That’s a good point.”
- “I see what you mean, but…”
- Transitioning to New Topics:
- Example Phrases:
- “By the way, did you hear
about…?”
- “Speaking of [previous
topic], what do you think about…?”
- “That reminds me of…”
Practice Activity:
- Engage in a conversation with a classmate using the
provided conversational phrases. Focus on showing interest,
agreeing/disagreeing politely, and transitioning to new topics.
4.
Role-Playing Exercises for Practicing Small Talk in Different Scenarios
Objective: Practice small talk through role-playing exercises in various scenarios to build confidence and fluency.
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Content:
- Scenario 1: Meeting a New Colleague
- Example Dialogue:
- Person A: “Hi, I’m Emma. I’m new
here.”
- Person B: “Hi Emma, I’m Jack. Nice to
meet you. How’s your first day going?”
- Person A: “It’s going well, thanks!
Everyone’s been very welcoming.”
- Person B: “That’s great to hear! So,
what do you like to do in your free time?”
- Scenario 2: Chatting at a Social Event
- Example Dialogue:
- Person A: “Hi, I don’t think we’ve
met. I’m Sarah.”
- Person B: “Hi Sarah, I’m Michael. Nice
to meet you. Are you enjoying the event?”
- Person A: “Yes, it’s been great so
far! The food is amazing. How about you?”
- Person B: “I’m having a good time too.
Have you tried the dessert table yet?”
- Scenario 3: Talking to a Neighbor
- Example Dialogue:
- Person A: “Hi, how are you today?”
- Person B: “I’m good, thanks! How about
you?”
- Person A: “I’m doing well. Did you see
the weather forecast for this weekend? Looks like it’s going to be
sunny.”
- Person B: “Yes, perfect for a
barbecue. Do you have any plans?”
Practice Activity:
- Role-play each scenario with a partner, taking turns to
be Person A and Person B. Focus on using small talk strategies and
conversational phrases to keep the dialogue engaging and natural.
Summary
In this chapter, you learned how to
engage in small talk, ask about someone’s weekend or holiday, use
conversational phrases to maintain the flow of conversation, and practice these
skills through role-playing exercises. Mastering small talk is essential for
building rapport and developing strong communication skills in English.
Homework
Activity: Write a short dialogue between two people making small talk
at a coffee shop. Use the techniques and phrases discussed in this chapter to
create a natural and engaging conversation.
Additional
Resources
Videos:
Books:
- “Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Truly Connect
with Others and Make a Killer First Impression” by Diane Weston
- “The Fine Art of Small Talk” by Debra Fine
By regularly practicing these small
talk and conversational skills, you’ll become more confident in your ability to
engage in meaningful and enjoyable conversations in English