Small Talk
Everything (discussions, presentations, job interviews, meetings) starts with small talk.
It is important to be good at this, so we will start every class with practice.
Simple
- Hiroko: Hi, how’s it going?
- Emi: Good. You?
- Hiroko: Not bad. Did you do anything at the weekend?
- Emi: Not really. How about you?
- Hiroko: Not much.
- Emi: Hey, MAIN TOPIC QUESTION <–
- Hiroko: <–
- Answer.
- ADD DETAIL!
- Ask a new question
- Emi: <–
- Answer.
- ADD DETAIL!
- Ask a new question
- Hiroko: Oh, I’ve got to go. Class is starting.
- Emi: Mine too. See you later. Bye!
- Hiroko: Bye!
(Skip the <– part for “five second elevator” small talk)
Make your own!
A conversation has 6 parts: A, B, C, D, E, & F. Do all 6 every time you change partners
A) Hello + greeting
| Hello | Greeting |
|---|---|
| Hi | How’s it going? |
| Hey | How are things? |
| Morning | How’ve you been? |
| Afternoon | What’s new? |
| Evening | What’s up? |
There are many more, but usually:
- A safe answer to “How” questions is “Good. You?”
- A safe answer to “What” questions “Not much. You?”
B) Small talk question
Examples for people you just met:
- What’s your name?
- Where are you from?
- Where do you live ?
- What’s your major?
- What classes are you taking?
- What circles are you in?
Examples for people you see every week:
- How was the weekend?
- Any plans for the weekend?
- Do anything last night?
- What are you up to tonight?
- How was the holiday?
- What will you do in the holiday?
- How are classes going?
- How’s work?
- Or see ask good questions sheet
C) Change the topic
- Hey,
- So…
- By the way, …
- Anyway….
- Oh!
- That reminds me…
- Oh yeah, did you hear about (+ news)
D) Fill your silence
Can’t think of how to say something? Give yourself some time! Use English sounds!
| Any time | Beginning | Middle | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ummmmm | It’s like | sorta | , yeah? |
| Uh | Well, | kinda | , yknow? |
| Er | Maybe, | like | , right? |
- e.g. “I went to the park” = “Well, I like uhh just sorta went ummm to the park, yknow?”
- This is not good, but it’s better than silence
- Use more than one! Not “like…like…like…like…like…like…like…like”
- You can sometimes stretch sounds (“I think you shouuuUUUld read more”)
E) Active Listening
Maybe you learned this in another class. Use it here too! e.g. “Uh-huh”, “I see”, “Really”, “Do you mean?”
F) Finish the conversation (three parts)
| Stop signal, reason | Promise to contact | Goodbye |
|---|---|---|
| Alright, I have to go. | See you around! | Bye |
| Oh, my class starting. | See you at lunch? | Goodbye |
| Sorry! My mum’s calling me. | I’ll call you later. | Bye then |
| OK, this is my floor | Let’s go to X later? | Cheerio (UK) |
| Got to run, my bus is coming. | Speak to you after |