22057 conversation lesson on small talk and finding something to talk about

Finding something to talk about.
In most __________-speaking countries, it is _________ and necessary to make
"__________________" in certain ____________. Small talk is a _________ form of
conversation that "breaks the ______" or fills an __________ ________ between
people.
There are ___ main, and very common, situations where you will have to make small
talk: with___________, with co-workers/classmates, and with __________________.
There are several very common _______ used to make small talk and a few topics you
should _________ talk about.

English speakers like to make small talk about:
*_______ *Movies *Current ______ *Work *Hobbies *_______ * The ________ *Clothing
You should __________ talking about:
* __________ * Politics * Death * ___________ * ___________
1) Which are good topics for talking to strangers, co-workers/classmates, and acquaintances?
2) What's a good starting question to ask if you want to talk about ______________?
3) Choose a topic and talk to your partner about it.
4)Read these 3 dialogues with your partner and answer the questions.
Where are the people? What is their relationship? Which topics do they talk about?
1
2
3
A: Hiya! How's it going?
B: It's alright, I'm so busy today.
A: You can say that again, I'm
swamped! Did you catch the
game last night?
B: Yeah, it was amazing! I can't
believe those plays! Even my
daughter enjoyed it.
A: How is your daughter doing?

What's she studying?
B: She's doing very well. She's in
her third year now, studying law.
Sorry... I have to run, talk later!
A: No problem, see you later!

A: Excuse me, how long have
you been waiting?
B: Umm... about 10 minutes. I
hope it comes soon.
A: Me too! It's so hot today.
B: I know! It was cooler this
time last year. Wow, that's a
fantastic bag. Where did you buy
it?
A: This? Oh thank you, I bought
it at a little shop downtown
called...hmmm... I think it's
called “Dolly's Bags.”
B: I really like it! Oh, here it
comes now! Finally!

A: Hey! It's been a long time!
How have you been?
B: I've been great! And you?
A: Wonderful, I just got back
from Argentina.
B: Where? Sorry... it's a little
loud, could we step outside?
Ok.. sorry. Where were you?

A: Argentina, I was there for 4
months.
B: WOW! That's so cool! What
were you doing?
A: I was studying dance. I love
dance movies so I decided to
take the plunge and learn how.
B: Wow. That's amazing. What's
your favorite dance movie?

5) Write a similar dialogue with your partner. Choose a situation and a few small talk topics to
talk about. Try to use casual language! When you're ready, we'll listen to you perform your
dialogue and then try to guess where you are and your relationship.


Finding something to talk about.
In most English-speaking countries, it is normal and necessary to make "small talk" in
certain situations. Small talk is a casual form of conversation that "breaks the ice" or fills
an awkward silence between people.
There are 3 main, and very common, situations where you will have to make small talk:
with strangers, with co-workers/classmates, and with acquaintances.
There are several very common topics used to make small talk and a few topics you
should never talk about.

English speakers like to make small talk about:
* Family * Movies * Current Events * Work * Hobbies * Sports * The Weather * Clothing
You should avoid talking about:
* Religion * Politics * Death * Salary * Health
1) Which are good topics for talking to strangers, co-workers/classmates, and acquaintances?
2) What's a good starting question to ask if you want to talk about ______________?

3) Choose a topic and talk to your partner about it.
4)Read these 3 dialogues with your partner and answer the questions.
Where are the people? What is their relationship? Which topics do they talk about?
1
2
3
A: Hiya! How's it going?
B: It's alright, I'm so busy today.
A: You can say that again, I'm
swamped! Did you catch the
game last night?
B: Yeah, it was amazing! I can't
believe those plays! Even my
daughter enjoyed it.
A: Ah. How is your daughter
doing? What's she studying?
B: She's doing very well. She's in
her third year now, studying law.
Sorry... I have to run, talk later!
A: No problem, see you later!

A: Excuse me, how long have
you been waiting?
B: Umm... about 10 minutes. I
hope it comes soon.
A: Me too! It's so hot today.
B: I know! It was cooler this
time last year. Wow, that's a great
bag. Where did you buy it?
A: This? Oh thank you, I bought

it at a little shop downtown
called...hmmm... I think it's
called “Dolly's Bags.”
B: I really like it! Oh, here it
comes now! Finally!

A: Hey! It's been a long time!
How have you been?
B: I've been great! And you?
A: Wonderful, I just got back
from Argentina.
B: Where? Sorry... it's a little
loud, could we step outside?
Ok.. sorry. Where were you?
A: Argentina, I was there for 4
months.
B: WOW! That's so cool! What
were you doing?
A: I was studying dance. I love
dance movies so I decided to
take the plunge and learn how.
B: Wow. That's amazing. What's
your favorite dance movie?

5) Write a similar dialogue with your partner. Choose a situation and a few small talk topics to
talk about. Try to use casual language! When you're ready, we'll listen to you perform your
dialogue and then try to guess where you are and your relationship.