Talk it out!

 

Every culture around the world has different customs and ways of communicating. When you learn a language, you learn more than words. You also learn a lot of rules. You learn what kind of greetings to use in different situations. For example, in English, we use formal and informal greetings. In China, a traditional greeting is: Have you eaten today? In addition, there are rules for making small talk when you meet a person for the first time. Once you have learned the rules of the language, you can communicate more easily and avoid misunderstandings.

People in different cultures also have different ways of using their bodies to exchange messages. Body language includes head nods and hand gestures. But there is one kind of expression that is universal all over the world. A smile can always connect people!

A. What of the subjects below would make good small talk and which wouldn't? Why? Add yours. 

school    income    family    food    work    sports    religion    ___________    __________

Watch the video to check your answers. 

Do you enjoy small talk or are you an introvert? Whichever way, what are some tips you have kept?

B. Speak more fluently! Use already, (not) yet, ever, never/ Make your own sentences. 

• I've already been to Italy twice.
• My husband hasn't traveled abroad yet.
• Has your daughter ever learned a foreign language?
• I have never made small talk with a Chinese person.

C. Starting a conversation. Choose a situation 

Imagine you are meeting your partner for the first time ( on the first day in class, in a cafe, waiting for a meeting to start, presenting in the Get to Know Us) Talk for two minutes.

How do you like this weather?

Are you enjoying this class?

Did you hear about________?

Have you lived here for a long time?

When did you start working here?

How long have you been waiting (for the elevator/the bus/ the meeting to begin?)

Let's play Kahoot! 

www.kahoot.it  PIN: 2668327