What do you think of…?

Objectives:

Practice expressions used in making small talk.

Provide further practice of question tags.

Starting point

What do you notice first when you meet someone new?

Do you agree or disagree? “You can’t judge the book by its cover.”

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Reading:

The Big Value of Small Talk

Vocabulary:

1) bearing – connection or relationship2) come up with – to produce3) keep abreast of– to have the most recent information

about something

A study at the Stanford Univer-sity School of Business tracked MBAs 10 years after they graduated.

The result? Grade point aver-ages had no bearing on their suc-cess -- but their ability to converse with others did.

Being able to connect with oth-ers through small talk can lead to big things, according to Debra Fine, author of "The Fine Art of Small Talk." She offers the fol-lowing tips for making small talk:

1. As you prepare for a function, come up with three things to talk about as well as four generic questions that will get others talking.

2. Stay focused on your conversational partner by actively lis-tening and giving feedback. Maintain eye contact.

3. Have something interesting to contribute. Keeping abreast of current events and culture will provide you with great conversation builders.

Discussion questions:

How much do you socialize with people from work? What do you usually do?

Do you think the ability to converse has any bearing on your job’s success?

What are the possible topics can you come up with to get others talking?

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Tag questions

A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence, which we use to find out information or check information that we already have. Tag questions are a typical feature of spoken English.

This is how you form question tags:

Positive sentence - negative tag

She is happy, isn’t she?

Negative sentence - positive tag

You don’t like me, do you?

Main verb - use 'do' We went to the party, didn't we?

INTONATION

RISING: When confirming information (sounds like a real question)

FALLING: When adding emphasis (sounds more like a statement that doesn't require a real answer)

Small talk

In most English-speaking countries, it is normal and neces-sary 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.

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Speaking:Have we met before?

Exercise 1 – Practice Dialogue

Read the following dialogue which takes place at a party. First, read it without tag questions. Then read it again and complete the statement by putting the correct question tag.

Rob: Hi there, I’ve met you before, (1) _____________?

Sue: No, I don’t think so.Rob: But your name’s Sarah, (2)

_____________?Sue: No, it’s Sue! Anyway, this is a really

lively party. There’s a great atmosphere, (3) _____________?

Rob: Yes, definitely. The hosts know how to host a party, (4) _____________?

Sue: Oh yes. Pete and Anna have always loved having parties, (5)_____________?

Rob: Yes, and at this dull time of year, it’s great to have a party, (6) _____________?

Sue: Yes… Mind you, you should be able to have a good party at any time of the year, (7) _____________?

Rob: As long as you invite the right people. It wouldn’t work with the wrong people, (8) _____________?

Exercise 2 - Role-play

Situation: You are sitting next to someone at a conference dinner in a city you both know well, and have just sat through an incredibly long opening speech. You have not been properly introduced.

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Speaker 1: (Start the conversation). I think that must be the longest opening speech I've ever heard! I'm ____________ (name), by the way. I don't think we've met.

Speaker 2: Pleased to meet you. I'm___________ (name). Continue the conversation by asking about one or more of the following:

What your partner thought of the conference (fun? dull?) Talks/seminars your partner’s been to (any interesting

ones?)

Speaker 1: Continue the conversation by asking about one or more of the following:

Your partner’s company (location, main activities) or job (how long he/she’s had it)

Where your partner’s staying (service, comfort, convenience)

Speaker 2: Continue the conversation by asking about one or more of the following:

The city (architecture, people, prices, local economy) Shopping (the best places to buy presents)

Speaker 1: Continue the conversation by asking about one or more of the following:

Sightseeing (a place of interest you’ve visited) Recent item of news (politics, sports, scandal)

Speaker 2: (Break off the conversation). Oh, wait a minute. It looks like the next speaker is going to begin. Let's hope this one's better than the last.

Exercise 3 – Role-play

Engage in a small talk. Choose from the topics below:

Current events

Upcoming events

TV shows and movies

Common interests

Food Travelling Shopping Book

Favorite websites

Fashion The

weather

Possible situations:

1) You’re waiting at a doctor’s clinic

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2) You’re waiting for the bus to arrive3) You’re having a stroll in the park

Conversation Starters for Small Talk

Talking about the weather Beautiful day, isn't it? We couldn't ask for a nicer day, could we? It looks like it's going to snow.

At a social event Pretty nice place, huh? Are you enjoying yourself? So, how do you know John? It looks like you could use another drink.

Talking about current events Did you catch the evening news? Have you heard…? I read in the paper today that ….

At the workplace Have you worked here long? I can't believe how busy/quiet we are today,

can you? What do you think of the new computers?

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