1. Conversation Skills: Getting Started

3. Decide: Who You are Going to Talk To? Is it a good time to start a conversation? In a hurry? Supposed to be working?

4. Decide: Who You are Going to Talk To? Is he/she approachable? Open vs. closed body posture Busy? Talking privately?

5. Which situation is better to start a conversation?

7. Which are more approachable? Why?

8. Which person is more approachable?

9. Starting a Conversation Greet the other person Hi hey What’s up? What’s new? How ya doin’?

10. Starting a Conversation Greet the other person Ask or say something about PRESENT, PAST or FUTURE From: Social Skills Training – Jed Baker

11. PRESENT “ What are you (doing, eating, reading)?” “How do you like this (class, lunch, project, game)?” “I like that (shirt, hat, book). Where did you get it?” PAST “How was your (day, week, weekend, vacation)? “I saw our science teacher at the store yesterday” “Did you hear about (something in the news, TV show, a sports game)?” FUTURE “What are you going to do (after school, Friday night, this evening, this weekend, during the summer, next year)?” “I’m going to camp next summer.”

12. Starting a Conversation Greet the other person Ask or say something about PRESENT, PAST or FUTURE Or, Ask something about the other person’s interests

13. “How Do I Know What the Other Person is Interested In?” Something they are wearing, doing, or watching. Something you know about them from the past Common interests Same class Favorite TV show Same club or group Favorite music group “Friendly Files” From Inside Out by Michelle Garcia Winner

14. Starting a Conversation Greet the other person Ask or say something about PRESENT, PAST or FUTURE Or, Ask something about the other person’s interests Listen – Show you are interested

15. Show You Are Interested Give Feedback “hmm” “uh-huh” “really!” Nod your head Look at or face the other person

16. Starting a Conversation Greet the other person Ask something about PRESENT, PAST or FUTURE Or, Ask something about the other person’s interests Listen – Show you are interested If the other person seems interested, follow up with on-topic questions and/or comments

17. How Do I Know When the Other Person is Interested?” Expression – Friendly? Interested? Eye contact – facing you or turning away? Busy?

18. Interested or Bored?

21. Sentence Starters I can’t believe… Did you ever… What are you going to… Did you know… It would be great if… I wonder if… I can’t wait until…

22. So, what do you think? Are there some things that it’s better not to talk about? www.buzznet.com

23. Starting a Conversation Greet Ask or say something about PRESENT, PAST or FUTURE Ask about interests Listen – Show you are interested Follow up - questions and/or comments I can’t wait for… Did you know…? “Social Power” Point