Making Small Talk

What small talk is and

techniques to show interest
Let’s Brainstorm: What is Small Talk? When Do You Use It?
 What Small Talk Is:
● Small talk is a way to connect with other people and a way for people to
feel comfortable with each other.

● Small talk is supposed to be innocent conversation that does not address

anything too serious or controversial

● Small talk can lead to deeper friendships

 Three Components to Small Talk
→ Follow-up questions are asked

→ Topics change quickly

→ It’s important to show interest in what someone is saying

 Where Do You Notice These Three Things?
Scott: So where do you come from? Alice: Yes! I am very lucky to see many places! What do you do for
a living?
Alice: Well, I was born in New Jersey, but my family is originally
from Italy. Scott: I’m an English teacher

Scott: Really, whereabouts in Italy? Alice: An English teacher, really? Do you enjoy your work?

Alice: Naples, have you been there? Scott: I do! I get to meet people from all over the world.

Scott: No, I haven't but I had a wonderful vacation in Rome last Alice: From all over the world? Wow, that sounds fascinating!
summer on school break.
What do you do for a living? Scott: Yes, most recently I had a student from Saudi Arabia!

Alice: I am a tour guide. Alice: So fascinating! Well, it was nice to meet you!

Scott: Are you? Scott: You too!

Small Talk Techniques to Show Interest
 Technique 1: Echo Questions
Example: ● Echo questions are essential when reacting
1- I am a tour guide. to what your conversational partner has said
to you.
Are you? ● They are used to show interest and
2- I love swimming! surprise.
● When said correctly, with the appropriate
Do you?
intonation, they will make your spoken
3- My new iphone cost 1,000. English sound very natural.
It cost what?! ● They help to avoid uncomfortable silences
mid-conversation
● They encourage your conversational partner
to keep talking
 Techniques to Make Echo Questions
The technique will change depending on what the other person says
1: repeat the verb to be
2: repeat the auxiliary verb
3: use “do” in the correct tense if there isn't an auxiliary verb

Examples on the next slide.

 Examples
Examples: I have been living here for 6 years.
Have you?
What are your hobbies?
→ Use “have” because have is the auxiliary
I have lots of hobbies but I love verb used in the sentence

swimming.
I am moving to Canada.
Do you (love swimming)?
Are you?
→ Use “do” because there is not → Use “are” because “am” is part of the
an auxiliary verb verb to be
 Practice
I like pop music. ___________________?

She works as a doctor. ___________________?

I should go to the dentist. ______________?

It is (it’s) a really nice place to visit in the summer. ___________________?

I arrived to the hotel last night. ___________________?

She finally graduated! ___________________?

 Practice
I like pop music. Do you?

She works as a doctor. Does she?

I should go to the dentist. Should I?

It is (it’s) a really nice place to visit in the summer. Is it?

I arrived to the hotel last night. Did you?

She finally graduated! Did she?

 Technique 2: Repetition
Examples:
Repetition of key words back to
the speaker also helps to show I just bought a new sports car! It cost
interest in what the speaker is $100,000.
saying.
$100,000?!

What else could you repeat? How would the

Echo words can also be used to conversation change?
direct the conversation down a
I just got back from traveling around the
certain road, depending on
world for a year!
which echo word is used.
A year?!

What else could you repeat? How would the

conversation change?
 Practice
I am going to Greece next week. ___________________?

It took me 3 hours to arrive! ___________________?

______________?

I saw Sophia yesterday. ___________________?

My husband is looking for a new job. ___________________?

 Technique 3: Showing Attention and Agreement
People uses short phrases to show they are paying attention and they agree with
what someone is saying. They might say these even if they are interrupting
someone. It shows you are listening.

Examples: Uhhuh, how interesting, really, sure, yes, right, absolutely, wow

Can you think of any others?

 Technique 4: Asking Questions
Ask Wh follow-up questions to keep a Example:
conversation moving.
I went to the hospital yesterday.

'Wh' follow-up questions:

Remember! Use the other
Really? Why was that?
techniques along with asking Wh
questions, otherwise it may sound Which hospital did you go to?
like you are 'grilling' the other person.
I see. What did the doctor say?
 Practice
Think of a question to ask to follow up. Try to also use another technique we
learned today.

● I went to the movies yesterday.

● I had to go to the mechanic today.
● My husband cleaned the house today!
 Mini Dialogues
A: He teaches English. B: English. Really? Where does he teach?

A: I'm thinking about moving. B: Are you? Where do you want to move?

A: She worked there for 10 years. B: Did she? How interesting. Why did
she leave?

A: I've (I have) bought a new computer. B: A new computer. Have you?

Which brand did you buy?
 What Techniques Were Used in the Mini Dialogues?
A: He teaches English. B: English. Really? Where does he teach?

A: I'm thinking about moving. B: Are you? Where do you want to move?

A: She worked there for 10 years. B: Did she? How interesting. Why did
she leave?

A: I've (I have) bought a new computer. B: A new computer. Have you?

Which brand did you buy?
What Techniques Were Used in the Mini Dialogues?
Echo questions, Repetition, Showing attention, Questions
Let’s Practice
 Role Play
Keep the small talk going for 1 minute!
1. Where do you live?
2. What are you going to do at the
weekend?
3. Do you like going to the cinema?
4. Have you ever been abroad?
5. How long have you studied English?
6. Where do you come from?
7. How do you come to class?
8. Where did you go on your last
holiday?
9. What's your favourite food?
10. What do you do when you're
not working/studying?
https://bit.ly/3BfYDWG
 Thank you!

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