Welcome

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 informal unimportantpolite 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 foodcars examinations film stars musicpolitics 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 foodcars examinations film stars musicpolitics ideal

Which of them do you like talking aboutwith 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 foodcars examinations film stars musicpolitics 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 talksmall talk serious talkserious talk

careers cars examinations film star careers cars examinations film star music politics sport travelmusic politics sport travelweatherweather foodfood

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 1.Which definitions make small talk sound like a positive thing?like a positive thing?

2. Which definitions refer to places where 2. Which definitions refer to places where small talk might take place?small talk might take place?

3. Why is it a problem if someone has no 3. Why is it a problem if someone has no small talk?small talk?

4. What do you think is the Chinese for 4. What do you think is the Chinese for “small talk”?“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 booka business coursea book which tells you what to

do at social eventsa 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

Learn how to do small talk

Develop your listening skills

Learn 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-involvingSpeaking & listening.

Do… Don’t…

Do…Give encouraging words and gesturesKeep eye contactUse positive body languageAsk further information to show your interest

Don’t…Look at your watchYawnSighLook away from the speakerChange the subjetInterrupt

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!