small talk presentation eltau 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Small Talk – Big Results
‘Why we should be teaching everyone small talk all the time…’
19 October 2012Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
What to expect?
1. The diversity of small talk 2. Challenging intercultural perceptions3. Language areas4. Active listening5. Professional communication6. The basics, the sceptics and more
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
About me
• O’Connor Language and Communication for Business
• Teacher training/materials development• Locubrevisphobe - Latin: ‘locu’ – talk, ‘brevis’ - small
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
What do you think?
"You just need plenty of practice to be good at small talk”“I’m an expert, I don’t need to do small talk”“Small talk isn’t real talk”"As long as you know English grammar and plenty of English words you shouldn't have any trouble with small talk in English.""You only need small talk if you meet people at parties."
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Why is small talk important?
• Builds rapport• Create social cohesion • Awkward situations • Eases increased communication • Key business skill• Teaching ‘communication’ not perfection!
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
In which work situations do we use small talk?
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Staff appraisals•Nervous employee?•Giving bad/unpleasant news
Interview•Welcoming interviewee•Prior to commencement
Sales and negotiations•Developing trust and confidence•Close the distance: close the sale!Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
‘Why all the fuss?’
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Intercultural perceptions of small talk (Lara Rings)
Americans•Seek contact•See small talk as a ritual•Avoid silence•Associate it with good manners
Germans•Highly analytical•Value precision and facts•Value honesty•See it as superficial
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Cultural Differences in Business Life - Understanding German and American Business Culture, 2006 Ulrike Ditzel
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Approaches to teaching effective small talk
1. Determine perceptions - challenge them
2. Sensitise to cultural associations3. Demonstrate use4. Support with language5. Offer a crutch!6. Assess your success
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
What Language?• Appropriate subjects?• Open/closed questions• Story telling and telling jokes• Positive conversation style• Active listening• Vague language: mmm, yeah• Showing interest e.g mirroring language • Finding common ground and interests• Transitional language: from non-work to work
issues• Opening/closing/ending structures: routine phrases • Ask for opinions: agree/disagree diplomatically
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Active Listening
SIER Model Active Listening:
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Are you listening to me????
Active listening techniques used by hostage negotiators
• Minimal Encouragements• Paraphrasing• Emotion Labeling• Mirroring (or Reflecting)• Open-Ended Questions• Effective Pauses
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Telling an anecdote
Look again at the story and make a note of words or phrases which do the following:
•Engage the audience•Create excitement, emotion or interest•Demonstrate the stages in the story
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
•Give them a model•Provide language structures•Facilitate practice•Give feedback
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Sales and Negotiations
American Psychological Society:
‘People like people who like them’
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Lower levels? Sceptics?The crutch…
Debra Fine – The Fine Art of Small Talk (2006)
•Appearance•Behaviour•Location
Tomalin and Stempleski – Cultural Awareness (1993)
•Answer•Add•AskSmall Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Higher levels?
• Appropriate responses?Right… True… Absolutely… Definitely…
Perfect… Excellent… Blimey! Marvellous!• Vague language?Bits and pieces… …and stuff… what‘s her
name… stuff like that… anyway…• Tag questions, isn‘t it?• Sorry!!!!
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
Small talk?
• Beginners to advanced• Intensive sessions• As part of role plays• As part of productive skills• In partnership with active listening• Key element of ‘professional
communication’• All the time!
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012
It’s been lovely talking to you…
Small Talk Big Results - Gabrielle Jones
19 October 2012