1. Dr. Nazmi Abd Al-Salam Al-Masri Faculty of Arts - English Department
Unit 1: Small Talk
Dr. Nazmi Abd Al-Salam Al-Masri
IUG
Faculty of Arts - English Department
Jan 2018

4. Warm up activity (in pairs/ groups)
What is Small Talk?
List 2 purposes for Small Talk.
List 3 situations where small talk is used.
List 3 expression you may use to start a conversation with someone you know?
List 3 expression you may use to start a conversation with someone you do not know?

5. Video (1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ght_qKdF2PY
Small Talk - Video (1)
Video (1):
What is the name of the speaker?
Is the speaker British or American?
What is meant by small talk?
What common small talk topics do British use?
What common small talk topic do Americans use?
List 5 new words you learned & give their synonyms, antonyms, or definitions
List 5 new phrases or expression you learned.
What common small talk topic do Palestinians use?

6. Small Talk - Video (2)
Video (2) :
According to Randall, which question would probably NOT be the best one to start a conversation?
A. Where are you from? B. What do you do? C. What's your name?
2. You should avoid __________ when introducing yourself.
A. discussing your marital status B. mentioning all of your good points C. talking about your personal problems
3. Randall also advises caution not to _______________.
A. give out your contact information B. discuss religion or politics C. make negative comments about people

7. Small Talk - Video (2)
According to Randall, which question would probably NOT be the best one to start a conversation?
A. Where are you from? B. What do you do? C. What's your name?
2. You should avoid __________ when introducing yourself.
A. discussing your marital status B. mentioning all of your good points C. talking about your personal problems
3. Randall also advises caution not to _______________.
A. give out your contact information B. discuss religion or politics C. make negative comments about people

8. Speaking (1)
In Pairs, which of the following statements are acceptable or unacceptable to discuss with someone you meet for the first time. Give reasons.
It is common to use small talk when you are waiting in a long line-up (queue).
Religion is a "safe" topic when making small talk.
It is rude for both children and adults not to make small talk with strangers.
Sport is not a safe topic when making small talk.
One should never compliment another person's clothes in order to make small talk
Politics is a controversial subject according to society.
It is common to discuss the weather in an elevator.
One reason people use small talk is to eliminate an uncomfortable silence.
It is rude to interrupt a conversation in order to make small talk.

9. Speaking (2)
When you meet someone for the first time, which of the following information is impolite to ask about? Why? Write (P) for polite and (R) for Rude ones. When you finish, compare and discuss your answers with your partner.
How old are you? (Age)
Are you a student at this university? (current status)
How much is your salary?) (personal/private issues)
Are you married? (marital status)
What do you do/ work? (job)
Is this your first time here in Gaza? (Travelling)
How long have you been working for this company? (work)
What’s your birth date? When were you born? (personal/private issues)

10. Speaking (3)
With a partner, practice starting and keeping the conversation going. Think carefully about what questions you would ask in each situation:
at a bus stop waiting for the next bus
on the first day of class right before school begins
on a plane waiting for takeoff
at a friend's house for a barbecue

11. Speaking (4)
Work in pairs and try to agree on 4 acceptable (safe) topics and 4 unacceptable (taboo) topics for small talk.

12. Pronunciation: Confusing Minimal Pairs /ɪ/ or /e/
Problem
English sound
e.g.
Common error
Fix problem
Minimal Pairs /I / or /e/
/I/
"sit"
/e/
"set"
Move front of tongue a little higher
Listen & practice, practice, practice

13. Audio 1: Confusing Minimal Pairs
(1) Part 1: You will listen to 3 words, which one is different (1, 2, or 3) 1. First, second or third word 2. First, second or third word 3. First, second or third word 4. First, second or third word 5. First, second or third word 6. First, second or third word

14. Audio 1: Confusing Minimal Pairs
Part 1: You will listen to 3 words, which one is different (1, 2, or 3)
1. sit – set – set 2. let – let – lit 3. kept – kit – kept 4. mit – met – mit 5. net – knit – knit 6. pit – pit – pet

15. Audio 1: Confusing Minimal Pairs
Part 2: Recognition: Which do you hear? I’ll say a word. Is it the /i/ or /e/ sound?
1. lit let 2. mit met 3. nit net 4. bet bit 5. bet bit 6. kneck knick 7. heck hick 8. peck pick

16. Audio 1: Confusing Minimal Pairs
Part 2: Recognition: Which do you hear? I’ll say a word. Is it the /i/ or /e/ sound?
1. lit let 2. mit met 3. nit net 4. bet bit 5. bet bit 6. kneck knick 7. heck hick 8. peck pick

17. Audio 1: Confusing Minimal Pairs
Part 3: Which do you hear?
1. a. He has a big knick. b. He has a big neck.
2. a. The chickens were pecking b. The chickens were picking. 3. a. She made a little bit. b. She made a little bet. 4. a. She doesn’t like that knit b. She doesn’t like that net.
5. a. They found a large pet b. They found a large pit.

18. Confusing Minimal Pairs (practice)
Complete the table below with10 similar examples of confusing sounds of /I/ & /e/ and practice saying them.

19. Confusing Minimal Pairs (practice)
Practice: Tongue twister:
Did Ed wed Liz or did Liz wed Ed?
These six silly sisters are sweet to meet.