1. English Conversation Course: lesson 2

2. QUIZ INSTURCTIONS: Make groups of 4 - 5 students and seat together.
Take a piece of paper and a pen.
Answer to the following 10 review questions.
You will have approximately 2 minutes to answer it.
Discuss the answers together quietly, but do not talk to other groups.

3. A. The man is arranging goods in a warehouse B
A. The man is arranging goods in a warehouse B. The man is in a cardboard factory C. The worker is opening a box D. The boxes are in a shop

4. Content: Check the website and download the slides:
How to efficiently learn English from the movies?
Idiom of the day!
TOEIC: Listening part 2
Small talk:
Introduction to the topic
Who, what, where, when, why
Conversation starters
Practice

5. How to learn efficiently from the movies?
Just watching movies or TV Shows won’t help you to improve your English skills
What do I mean by that?
If you are watching it without understanding it, you will quickly lost the attention and you will become bored.
That is why I have better way to improve it, so let’s check the next slide what is this all about.

6. STEP 0:
Choose a movie or TV Show that you like. This means you will choose a type that you are interested in.
For example: I like superhero movies. So, the best way for me is then to download something related to this topic. I will download or buy a TV Show like The Arrow, The Flash,… or a movie like The Iron Man, The Avengers,…
You might like something else so buy or download movies or TV Shows you are into.
Now back to the point – you will watch this movie for the first time in your own language or with subtitles in your own language. Just to get insight of what it is about, to understand it completely.

7. STEP 1:
Choose only the first scene, around 2-3 minutes of a movie, and turn on the English subtitles now.
Watch it for 2-3 minutes and then pause it. As you are going along, it is a time for you to write down the vocabulary and phrases that you don’t know or understand yet.
Stop the movie and find the meaning of the vocabulary and phrases with a help of your dictionary of any kind.
Rewind the scene, go back to the beginning , review your vocabulary, and then play the scene again. *English subtitles are still turned on. You will now notice the words more.
When the scene ends, go back to the beginning and repeat the process. Relax before you watch it again and review the vocabulary.
Repeat this step as many times you want. Only the first scene, 2-3 min of the movie!

8. STEP 2:
Watch the first scene again, but this time you turn off the English subtitles.
Listen very carefully! You will remember most of the words, but those you don’t, quickly review it.
Rewind the scene and play it from the beginning as many times you need. After looking it for 5 times you will remember most of the words.

9. STEP 3: Here you will work on your pronunciation.
You will use the same first scene and keep English subtitles on. However, this time you are going to play it sentence by sentence. I mean you play one sentence and pause.
Then try to copy the actor. Try to say the sentence the same way he/she does.
Use the same emotions.
Repeat it as many times you need.
Master it!

10. STEP 4: You are still at the same first scene
Here you are going to “shadowing it”
Without pausing the scene after each sentence, you will now keep playing it and speak along.
Turn on the English subtitles. Reading will help you to follow along.
Don’t forget to use the same emotions as the actor or actress.
Repeat it as many times as you need.

11. STEP 5: “Shadowing” again! The same first scene!
This time “without” English subtitles
Use the same emotions, gestures, voices as the actors.
Repeat it as many times you need

12. STEP 6: This step is optional, but very beneficial. First scene again!
Here you are going to record yourself. While speaking along the scene, you will use your smartphone and record it.
After the scene ends, you will compare it to the original.
Note down what is different
SPEED, EMOTIONS, ACCENT,…
Don’t worry, your brain will automatically understand what is wrong and correct it

13. STEP 7:
Now it is time to move to the next scene. Again just use 2-3 minutes.
Repeat all the steps again, this time with the second scene.

14. You will become a master
It will definitely take a few months to just finish one movie, but you will master it in every way, such as grammar, pronunciation, listening and speaking.
just take 15 minutes of your free time every day and after a while you will notice how much you have improved.
Instead spending too much time on Social media, do something good for yourself and master your English.
Practice, practice, practice, practice makes perfect!!!!

15. Idiom of the day! 2. “Break the ice”
- do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going at the start of a party or when people meet for the first time.

16. TOEIC Listening: part 2
In this part of the test you will need to choose the best respond to the given questions.
ACTIVITY ONE: Listen the question and decide what types are they.
*This will help you to recognize the different types of questions that you will hear on the test. Note that this also works in real life.
FUNCTION QUESTION
NEGATIVE QUESTION
INFORMATION QUESITON
ALTERNATIVE QUESTION
YES/ NO QUESTION
QUESTION 1
QUESTION2
QUESTION3
QUESTION4
QUESTION5

17. Vocabulary
Function - an activity or purpose natural to or intended for a person or thing. Synonyms: purpose, task
Negative - a word or statement that expresses denial, disagreement, or refusal. Synonyms: refusal, denial, rejection
Information - facts provided or learned about something or someone. Synonyms: details, facts
Alternative - available as another possibility. Synonyms: another, different

18. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO MEET? CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THE MANAGER IS?
FUNCTION QUESTION
NEGATIVE QUESTION
INFORMATION QUESITON
ALTERNATIVE QUESTION
YES/ NO QUESTION
QUESTION 1
QUESTION2
QUESTION3
QUESTION4
QUESTION5
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO MEET?
CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THE MANAGER IS?
WHY WEREN’T WE TOLD IN ADVANCE?
WOULD YOU CARE FOR SOME COFFEE OR TEA?
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND I DO?

19. Decide what kind of respond can we expect
Decide what kind of respond can we expect. - suggestion/advice, - reason, - time reference, - yes/no/natural response, - a choice of the two, both, neither, or even natural response
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO MEET?
CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THE MANAGER IS?
WHY WEREN’T WE TOLD IN ADVANCE?
WOULD YOU CARE FOR SOME COFFEE OR TEA?
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND I DO?

20. Practice
Are you going to the marketing meeting? A. It was about the new annual plan. B. Yes, he is at the market. C. No, I have too much to do.
Do you know of a good mechanic? A. No, I'll get you the number. B. I prefer a different mechanic. C. I use a garage in the next town.
You have just started here, haven't you? A. No, it ended last night. B. No it hasn't started yet. C. Yes, this is my first week.

21. Small talk: Introduction
It is normal and necessary to make “small talk”
Are casual conversation to “break the ice” and avoid silence
It is considered rude to say nothing
Choose appropriate time and topic for a “small talk”

22. Small talk: Who, what, where, when, why
Usually people who do not know each other at all
Office employees who work in the same department, but are not really good friends
Customer service representatives with their customers:
Postman
Receptionist
Waitress
Hairdresser

23. Cont. 2. What do people make “small talk” about?
SHOULD BE ABOUT SHOULDN’T BE ABOUT
1. Weather Religion
2. Current events 2. Salaries
3. Entertainment news 3. Divorce
4. Things around 4. Person’s body

24. Cont. 3. Where do people make “small talk”? At the bus station
On the bus
In the waiting room
Elevator
Lunchrooms
Party
Bar or Pub

25. Cont. 4. When do people make a “small talk”?
First time you meet someone
First time you see someone on a given day

26. Cont. 5. Why do people make a “small talk”?
To break uncomfortable silence
To simply fill the time
In order to be polite
In order to show interest in getting to know people better

27. Talking about the weather
Beautiful day, isn't it?
Can you believe all of this rain we've been having?
It looks like it's going to snow.
It sure would be nice to be in Hawaii right about now.
I hear they're calling for thunderstorms all weekend.
We couldn't ask for a nicer day, could we?
How about this weather?
Did you order this sunshine?

28. Talking about current events
Did you catch the news today?
Did you hear about that fire on Fourth St?
What do you think about this transit strike?
I read in the paper today that The Mall is closing.
I heard on the radio today that they are finally going to start building the new bridge.
How about those Reds? Do you think they're going to win tonight?

29. At the office
Looking forward to the weekend?
Have you worked here long?
I can't believe how busy we are today, can you?
Has it been a long week?
You look like you could use a cup of coffee.
What do you think of the new computers?

30. At a social event
So, how do you know Justin?
Have you tried the cabbage rolls that Sandy made?
Are you enjoying yourself?
It looks like you could use another drink.
Pretty nice place, huh?
I love your dress. Can I ask where you got it?

31. Out for a walk
How old's your baby?
What's your puppy's name?
The tulips are sure beautiful at this time of year, aren't they.
How do you like the new park?
Nice day to be outside, isn't it?

32. Waiting somewhere
I didn't think it would be so busy today.
You look like you've got your hands full.
The bus must be running late today.
It looks like we are going to be here a while, huh?
I'll have to remember not to come here on Mondays.
How long have you been waiting?

33. Practice
This page is a practice session based on the language of small talk in English, in this case at a bus stop.
Read the small talk below and find the 10 mistakes. Then check your answers.

34. Woman: We could ask for a better day, could we?
Man: I know. There isn't a cloud in the sky. I love this time of year.
Woman: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, you think?
Man: They sure are. But I heard he is calling for rain all weekend.
Woman: Really? Oh well. I have to work all weekend anyway. I'm a doctor.
Man: Wow. I'm sure you make good money with that diamond watch you have on.
Woman: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long of a wait is it already?
Man: I've been here for at least fifteen minutes now.
Woman: Where are you heading today?
Man: Actually, I'm going to the City Hall to cast my vote for mayor.
Woman: Oh, what a coincidence. So am I! Who are you voting for?
Man: Um, well...I'm still thinking about it.
Woman: Here comes a bus now.
Man: Oh good. Wait, that's not the bus we want. That bus goes downtown.
Woman: Well, it looks like we'll be waiting a little longer. I guess, I'll use this time to catch up on my reading.
Man: I love reading. Right now I'm reading a Stephen King book. Do you like Stephen King?
Woman: Not really.
Man: Oh, here's our bus.
Woman: Oh great. I thought it would never come. Well, have a nice day.
Man: Say, did you catch the news today?

35. Correct answers
1. Woman: We could ask for a better day, could we? Correction: We couldn't ask for a better day, could we?
2. Woman: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, you think? Correction: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, aren't they?
3. Man: They sure are. But I heard he is calling for rain all weekend. Correction: They sure are. But I heard they are calling for rain all weekend.
4. Woman: Really? Oh well. I have to work all weekend anyway. I'm a doctor. Correction: During small talk with a stranger, it is not common to discuss personal information relating to work.
5. Man: Wow. I'm sure you make good money with that diamond watch you have on. Correction: It is not acceptable to discuss salaries while making small talk.
6. Woman: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long of a wait is it already? Correction: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long have you been waiting?
7. Woman: Where are you heading today? Correction: Too personal.
8. Woman: Oh, what a coincidence. So am I! Who are you voting for? Correction: Politics is not a "safe" subject to discuss.
9. Man: I love reading. Right now I'm reading a Stephen King book. Do you like Stephen King? Correction: The woman suggested that she wanted to end the conversation. The man did not take the hint.
10. Man: Say, did you catch the news today? Correction: Thanks. You too. This is not an appropriate time to start a new conversation. The bus's arrival indicates that it is time to stop talking.

36. Thank you very much!!!