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Module 1 Small Talk

What are they doing ？

Do you know small talk? 闲谈

What is small talk? Discussion

small talk ： informal conversation about things that are not important Macmillan English Dictionary 《麦克米兰英英词典 》

small talk ： light conversation that people make at social occasions about unimportant things: We stood around making small talk Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary 《柯林斯基础英语词典 》

small talk ： polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 《朗文英文当代大词典 》

small talk ： conversation about ordinary or unimportant matters, usually at a social event: He has no small talk (i.e. he is not good at talking to people about ordinary or unimportant things). Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 《牛津高级英语词典》

What are the features of small talk? features? Place it happens?

After reading the dictionary definitions of small talk and find out some adjectives ( 形容词） to describe small talk(P1,books):

What are the features of small talk? features informal unimportant light polite friendly ordinary social… Place it happens ？ Informal

In which photo do you think they are making small talk? A. B. at a political meeting at home

In which photo do you think they are making small talk? C.D.

In which photo do you think they are making small talk? E. F. business meeting cafe

What are the features of small talk? features informalunimportant polite friendly light ordinary matter … Place it happens party Kara OK trip playground café cinema park bus stop restaurant … Informal Informal places

Answer the questions. 1 Which definitions make small talk sound like a positive thing? The Longman definition. 2 Which definitions refer to places where small talk might take place? The Collins/Oxford definitions.

3 Why is it a problem if someone has no small talk? They find it difficult to make new friends. 4 What do you think is the Chinese for “small talk”? 闲谈，聊天。

Activity 2 Look at the conversation topics below and answer the questions. careers sport travel weather food cars examinations film stars music politics ideal Which of the topics do you like talking about with your friends? Which of them do you talk about with your parents?

Activity 2 Look at the conversation topics below and answer the questions. careers sport travel weather food cars examinations film stars music politics ideal Which of them do you like talking about with your teacher? Which of them do you never talk about?

Activity 2 Look at the conversation topics below and answer the questions. careers sport travel weather food cars examinations film stars music politics ideal If you talk about these topics, is the conversation serious or small talk?

film stars, music, sport, travel, food, weather careers, politics, examinations small talk serious talk careers cars examinations film star music politics sport travel weatherfood

2.Where do you think we can make small talk? 3. What are the topics of small talk ？ 4. Do you know how to make a successful small talk? 1.What are the features of small talk? Review :

Questions (Activity 1): 1.Which definitions make small talk sound like a positive thing? 2. Which definitions refer to places where small talk might take place? 3. Why is it a problem if someone has no small talk? 4. What do you think is the Chinese for “small talk”?

Discussion: Do you think “Small Talk” is necessary? Are you good at “Small Talk”?

Reading How Good Are Your Social Skills?

confidently make friends lack (be) nervous about advance think of nod adv. 自信地 交朋友，建立友谊 v. 缺乏，缺少 对 …… 焦虑不安 adj. 预先的，在前的 想起，回忆起 v. 点头 Words Preview

body language yawn sigh look away from social rules in addition find out opportunity 身体语言，肢体语言 v. 打哈欠 v. 叹气，叹息 把目光从 …… 移开 社交规则 除此之外，另外 了解，找到（信息） n. 机会

Skimming: Read the passage and decide what kind of book it is from. Choose from the list. an English teaching book a business course a book which tells you what to do at social events a book to help you prepare for a speaking examination

Careful-reading

Read para 1 to find how many situations the author refers to.

Cross the road Go to a party Make new friends with strangers At a social event in another country Situations Avoid talking to a friend Lack the Confidence to talk Being nervous Can not talk confidently with guests

Read para 2 to find the key to these situations you may face.

Social skills How to have a conversation LL earn how to do small talk DD evelop your listening skills LL earn the social rules book SOLUTIONS

How do you make small talk when you greet to people or make new friends? 1

Do small talks Having low-risk conversation openers ready : Think of A recent news story Something about your studies (subjects) Ask people’s opinion about Mu, Sp, Fi… Avoid talking about topics you dislike (personal questions)

Are you good at listening to other people speaking? 2

Develop your listening skills Communication is a two-way process-involving Speaking & listening. Do… Don’t…

Do… Give encouraging words and gestures Keep eye contact Use positive body language Ask further information to show your interest Don’t… Look at your watch Yawn Sigh Look away from the speaker Change the subjet Interrupt

Do you know any social rules? 3

Learn some Social rules Arrive on time at a party in other countries; You need to know how long you should stay and when to leave; Prepare small gifts for your host if necessary… Do in Rome as Rome does

Good Bye!