Small Talk Beginner
Small Talk
1. Is small talk common in your country? Why or why not?
2. What is difficult about small talk?
3. Do you like small talk? Why or why not?
Emily: The weather is so __________ today, isn't it?
Sarah: Yes, it's beautiful! I enjoy spending time outdoors when it's like this.
Emily: Me too. Do you come to this park _____________?
Sarah: Not as much as I want to, but I try to visit when the weather is _____________. How about you?
Emily: I love coming to the park on sunny days but I am usually ____________. By the way, I'm Emily. What's your name?
Sarah: Nice to meet you, Emily. I'm Sarah.
Emily: What do you like to do in the park?
Sarah: I usually take a walk or find a nice place to ____________. How about you?
Emily: I love just sitting on a bench or having a picnic on the ____________. It's so relaxing.
Sarah: That sounds fun.
Emily: Well, I need to go now. It's been nice chatting with you. Maybe I will see you in the ___________ again.
Sarah: Yes, I hope so. Enjoy your day!
Emily: The weather is so nice today, isn't it?
Sarah: Yes, it's beautiful! I enjoy spending time outdoors when it's like this.
Emily: Me too. Do you come to this park often?
Sarah: Not as much as I want to, but I try to visit when the weather is good. How about you?
Emily: I love coming to the park on sunny days but I am usually busy. By the way, I'm Emily. What's your name?
Sarah: Nice to meet you, Emily. I'm Sarah.
Emily: What do you like to do in the park?
Sarah: I usually take a walk or find a nice place to read. How about you?
Emily: I love just sitting on a bench or having a picnic on the grass. It's so relaxing.
Sarah: That sounds fun.
Emily: Well, I need to go now. It's been nice chatting with you. Maybe I will see you in the park again.
Sarah: Yes, I hope so. Enjoy your day!
1. What does Emily love doing in the park?
2. Does Sarah visit the park a lot?
3. What does Sarah like doing in the park?
4. What does Sarah hope will happen?
1. Sitting on a bench or having a picnic on the grass.
2. Not as much as she wants to. Mostly when the weather is good.
3. Take a walk or find a nice place to read.
4. She will see Emily in the park again.
1. Which topics are polite and impolite for small talk?
2. Which small talk topics do you like and dislike talking about?
3. Are you good or bad at small talk? How so?
Outdoors: In or into the open air; outside.
Picnic: A meal eaten outdoors, usually in a park or other scenic area, where participants bring their own food.
Chatting: Engaging in informal conversation with others.
Bench: A long seat, typically made of wood or metal, designed for seating multiple people.
Step 1: Introduce the topic of small talk and give a definition of it. Talk about how small talk is a good way to practice English and it can be important for business or meeting new people. Describe how small talk can be 'awkward' and 'uncomfortable' in certain situations.
Step 2: Have the students discuss the warm-up questions. Ask for some answers after they are done.
Step 3: Play the audio. Have your students listen and fill in the missing words in the script.
Step 4: Have the students complete the vocabulary worksheet before or after the listening. This will depend on teacher preferences.
Step 5: Let the students discuss the discussion questions and elicit answers from them after they are done. You should get them to use the vocabulary in their discussions.