Conversational English - Discussion: Small Talk

1. Learn Vocabulary<span class="normal" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.</span></h3>

<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">cliche</a></li>

<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">meaningful</a></li>

</ul>

<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">universal</a></li>

</ul>

<li style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">prepared</a></li>

</ul>

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2. Read and Prepare <span class="normal" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.</span></h3>

A stranger stands next to you at a bus stop. You wait in line at the bank. Your teacher is late for class. What can you do with this time? You can make <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">small talk</a>. When you meet a new person, you can have a short, simple conversation. This is small talk. It’s a way to <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">get to know</a> someone. Some of the most popular small talk topics include the weather, sports, family, and work. These are all <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">universal</a> topics that anyone can talk about.<br />

Some people think that small talk is difficult. They feel <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">shy</a>, or they don’t feel <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">prepared</a> to talk to strangers. Other people even think that small talk is <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">cliche</a>. They prefer to have more <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">meaningful</a> conversations, and they don’t want to talk about simple things like the weather. But small talk is a great way to meet new friends and learn new things. Sometimes, all you need is a smile to begin a conversation.<br />

Jessica is going to go on a date with her <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">secret admirer</a>, but she is nervous. Watch today’s English lesson to hear Sara’s small talk ideas.</div>

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3. Watch <span class="normal" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- Watch the video without reading the dialog.</span></h3>

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Dialog</h2>

1. Listen and Read <span class="normal" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.</span></h3>

2. Study <span class="normal" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.</span></h3>

<a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/lessons/speaker_detail/283" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Jessica</a></div>

</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/lessons/speaker_detail/293" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Sara_R" src="http://cdn2.englishbaby.com/dynamic/ebaby_speakers/image/0000/0002/2729/2729797_1423957837_722733.jpg" height="60px" style="border: 0px !important; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;" width="40px" /></a><br />

</td></tr>

</tbody></table>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>Marni said you have a <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">secret admirer</a>. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>Someone has been leaving me gifts. I’m thinking about meeting him for coffee this Friday. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>I am so bad at <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">small talk</a>. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>It’s normal to feel <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">shy</a> on a first date. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>Not just on first dates. I am always bad at small talk. I never know what to say to someone who I’ve just met. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>You can ask him about the weather. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>But that’s so <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">cliche</a>. I want to talk about more <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">meaningful</a> things. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>I <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">hear what you’re saying</a>. Hey, I have an idea! Make a list before you go of things to ask him about. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>Like what? </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>Ask him about his family. Ask him which countries he’s visited, or if he hasn’t traveled, where he wants to go. Ask about his job. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>But isn’t that kind of boring? </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>Not at all. Family, travel, work… those are all <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">universal</a> topics that everyone can talk about. It’s how people <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">get to know</a> each other, whether you’re on a date, or taking a class together, or waiting for the bus… </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>OK. But will you help me? I want to feel <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">prepared</a>. </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>Of course! Small Talk <a href="http://www.englishbaby.com/user/member_login_form" style="color: #0099cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">101</a>. Tomorrow afternoon? </div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jessica:  </strong>Great. Thank you, Sara.</div>

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sara_R:  </strong>I’m happy to do it.</div>

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