Small Talk Intermediate
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?Steven: Hi there! I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Steven. How _____________
Charlie: Hi Steven, nice to meet you! I'm Charlie.
Steven: What _________ you to this event?
Charlie: Oh, I heard about it from a friend and thought it would be a great opportunity to meet ______________. How about you?
Steven: Same here! I'm always up for meeting new folks.
Charlie: Have you been to events like this ____________?
Steven: Yeah, I've been to a few. I always enjoy the ____________ to socialize. Do you usually attend these kinds of gatherings?
Charlie: This is my first time, actually. I'm trying to step out of my ________________ a bit.
Steven: That's great! What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Charlie: I love hiking and reading. How about you?
Steven: I'm into photography and cooking.
Charlie: That's interesting! I bet your photos are amazing. Any ______________ cuisine you enjoy cooking?
Steven: Lately, I've been trying to master Italian dishes. How about you? Any favourite hiking trails?
Charlie: Your choice of cuisine sounds delicious! As for hiking, I love ________________ trails with scenic views.
Steven: Nice! Well, it's been great ______________ with you. Let's exchange numbers and we can catch up again sometime. Maybe we could go on a hike together?
Charlie: Definitely! I'd like that, here's my number. It was a pleasure meeting you.Steven: Hi there! I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Steven. How about you?
Charlie: Hi Steven, nice to meet you! I'm Charlie.
Steven: What brings you to this event?
Charlie: Oh, I heard about it from a friend and thought it would be a great opportunity to meet new people. How about you?
Steven: Same here! I'm always up for meeting new folks.
Charlie: Have you been to events like this before?
Steven: Yeah, I've been to a few. I always enjoy the chance to socialize. Do you usually attend these kinds of gatherings?
Charlie: This is my first time, actually. I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone a bit.
Steven: That's great! What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Charlie: I love hiking and reading. How about you?
Steven: I'm into photography and cooking.
Charlie: That's interesting! I bet your photos are amazing. Any particular cuisine you enjoy cooking?
Steven: Lately, I've been trying to master Italian dishes. How about you? Any favorite hiking trails?
Charlie: Your choice of cuisine sounds delicious! As for hiking, I love exploring trails with scenic views.
Steven: Nice! Well, it's been great chatting with you. Let's exchange numbers and we can catch up again sometime. Maybe we could go on a hike together?
Charlie: Definitely! I'd like that, here's my number. It was a pleasure meeting you.1. For what reason is Charlie at the event?
2. What hobbies do Charlie and Steven have?
3. What kind of cuisine is Steven trying to master?
4. What does Steven suggest him and Charlie do together in the future?1. To meet new people.
2. Hiking, reading, photography, and cooking.
3. Italian.
4. Go hiking together.1. How can small talk be useful? Do you think small talk can be a waste of time? How so?
2. Are you good or bad at small talk? How so?
3. What topics are polite and impolite for small talk in your culture?Folks: A term for people, group or community.
Socialize: To interact with others, and make connections in a social setting.
Gatherings: Events or occasions where people come together, often for a specific purpose or celebration.
Comfort Zone: A state or situation where one feels familiar, safe, and at ease, without experiencing stress or anxiety.
Scenic: Having beautiful or picturesque views, often related to landscapes or places with visually appealing features.
Catch up: To reconnect or update someone on recent events, news, or personal matters; also, to spend time together and share experiences.
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.