Small Talk

Casual Greetings

Hey, Hi, Hello How are you? Whats up? How's it going?

Small Talk

Nice conversations about common interests. Usually to fill small amounts of time or silence.

When do We Make Small Talk?

On the elevator On the bus/train In passing; in the hallway, on the street, etc. When we're waiting... for food, for the bus, for

a game of basketball, for class to start, etc.

Brainstorm

What do Chinese people make small talk about?

American Small Talk

Greetings The Weather, Health, Family, Food, Hometown,

Jobs, Hobbies, Holidays, Sports, Fashion, etc. Location- Where are you? Plans - What are you doing later?

Activity: Lets Make Small Talk

Work with a partner. I will show you a topic. You have 30 seconds to start talking about it.

Talk about the topic for as long as you can.

Topic 1: Hometown [Example]

Student 1: ...Where are you from, anyways? Student 2: Wisconsin. I lived in Madison from the time I

was two until I was eighteen. Student 1: Are you serious? My little brother goes to

school there. I just went to visit him last month. I stayed in his dorm by the lakeshore.

Student 2: Haha! I have so many friends that have lived there. I've spent a lot of time there. Where are you from?

Student 1: Not too far away. I grew up in Iowa. Have you ever been there?

Topic 2: Hobbies

Topic 3: Food

Family

Jobs

Brainstorm

What should you not talk about?

Bad Topics for Small Talk

Religion Politics Death Salary ($$$) Gossip

Gossip Game

Choose a Foreign Teacher, or a Celebrity to Gossip About

Example: Mr. Kane

Kane's clothes look very wrinkly today. Did he sleep in them last night? Does he ever wash them?

Mr. Kane's reminds me of a dog. First, he had long hair. Then, he has a beard. Now, he just smells bad.

Gossip about Lady Gaga

Complaining

To express pain, unhappiness, or other problems you are having.

Complain about this Class

Complain about the School

Complain about anything

Other Ideas

Gossiping, Complaining, “Hitting on”

Complaining with Idioms

Its too _____ Its too hot ou here. Wow, its hot.

Idioms: I'm melting. This line is too slow. Whats taking so long? Idioms: My hair is turning gray. Idioms: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

Optional Game

Make fun of the teacher - See who can say the funniest thing about the

teacher. Be clear that it is not acceptable to disrespect

each other, but it is okay to make fun of the teacher during the game

Would also work as an impromptu game if a student ever makes fun of another student particularly harshly in class, or if there is a general trend towards students being mean to one another.