(共104张PPT)
1. To get to know the definition and
features of small talk
2. To learn how to use the social skills in
communication by some reading skills
When you are at school, what do you usually do when you are in your spare time
Do you know small talk
small talk polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
《朗文英文当代大词典》
What is small talk
small talk conversation about ordinary or unimportant matters, usually at a social event
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
《牛津高级英语词典》
What are the features of small talk
features
Place it happens
What are the features of small talk
features
informal unimportant
light polite friendly
ordinary
In which photo do you think they are making small talk
A.
B.
at a political meeting
at an annual convention
C.
D.
business meeting
party
Places it happens
party Kara OK trip playground café cinema park bus stop restaurant …
Informal places
Below are some conversation topics:
careers cars examinations film stars food music politics sport travel weather
If you talk about these topics, is the conversation serious or small talk
It depends. In general, careers, examinations and politics are not part of small talk.
2. Which of the topics do you like
talking about with your friends
3. Which of them do you talk about with your parents
4. Which of them do you talk about with your teacher
5. Which of them do you never talk about
Small talk is a good way to kill time and make friends. If you travel to other countries, do you know what to say to start small talk with foreign people
In Britain, the best topic is the weather. British weather changes quite often. It’s also a safe topic. You can start small talk simply by saying “It’s a lovely day today, isn’t it ”. Besides weather, it’s good to talk about gardens. For example, you can say, “Those roses look really beautiful, don’t they ”
English people also love their pets. So it’s also nice to start with “What a lovely dog! What is his name ”
In America, people like to talk about sports, such as American football. They also talk about clothes by saying “It’s a nice shirt! Where did you get it ” Weather is a safe topic there, too. Of course, there are also a lot of topics to avoid during small talk in Western countries, for example, age. Never ask “How much money do you make ” It makes people uncomfortable.
Don’t ask strangers whether they are
married or if they have girlfriend or
boyfriend. Politics or religion is not a good
topic for two people that have just met
either.
What kind of book is it from Choose from the list.
an English teaching book
a business course
a book which tells you what to do at social events
a book to help you prepare for a speaking examination
Structure-analyzing
Divide the passage into several parts.
Part 1 Para. _____
Part 2 Para. _____
Part 3 Para. _____
Part 4 Para. _____
1-2
3
4-6
7
Introduction to the passage by asking questions
How to do small talk
The social rules
Dos and don’ts while listening
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.
Have good social skills
Learn how to have a conversation
Learn how to do small talk
Develop your listening skills
Learn the social rules
SOLUTIONS
How do you make small talk when you greet to people or make new friends
Do
small talks
Having low-risk conversation openers ready:
Think of
A recent news story
Something about your studies
Ask people’s opinion
about music, sports, films
Avoid talking about
topics you dislike
(personal questions)
Which of the following topics should you not choose
A a story about a film star or sports star
B things about your studies
C your political opinions
D other people’s ages and salaries
Are you good at listening to other people speaking
Develop your
listening skills
Communication is a two-way process—involving
speaking & listening.
Do…
Don’t…
Do…
give encouraging words and gestures
keep good eye contact
use positive body language
ask for more information to show your
interest
Don’t…
look at your watch
yawn
sigh
look away from the speaker
change the subject
finish other people’s sentences for them
Do you know any social rules
Learn some
social rules
Do in Rome as Rome does
Arrive on time at a party in some countries;
You need to know how long you should stay and
when to leave;
Prepare small gifts for the hosts if necessary…
don’t take flowers of a certain colour.
Which of the following social skills is wrong
A. you should arrive on time at a party in
some places
B. you should pay attention to the color of the
flowers you bring
C. you can stay at a party as long as you like
D. you needn’t take gifts in some countries
1. According to the passage, should
people plan what they’re going to say
at parties
Yes, they should prepare some topics
to talk about.
Read the passage again and answer the questions.
2. What do people think about those
who talk too much
They are not impressive.
3. Describe two things you shouldn’t do in a conversation.
Look at your watch, yawn (sigh, look away, change the subject, finish other people’s sentences).
4. Why is it a good idea to nod and smile when the other person is talking
To show that you are listening.
5. What does the quotation from Benjamin Disraeli tell you about people
People like talking about themselves.
Problems talking to or meeting people may be due to a lack of 1. _________ (confident), in which case improving your social skills will help. They can easily 2. _________ (learn) and put into practice if you plan ahead. Small talk is an important social skill and can prepare you for more serious conversations. Start by 3. ________ (talk) about a recent light-hearted news story you’ve heard or talk about music, sport or films.
课文语法填空。
confidence
be learned
talking
You also need 4. _________ (develop) your listening skills. Smile and nod to show you are 5. ________ (interest), keep eye contact and ask 6. ________ more information. Don’t look at your watch, yawn, look away, interrupt, 7. ________ change the subject. Finally, things like 8. ________ you should arrive on time, how long you should stay, and 9. ________ gifts you should or shouldn’t give to hosts at social events may differ from country 10. ________ country. Learn the rules.
interested
for
or
whether
what
to
to develop
Make a small talk with your partner:
1 You meet an English-speaking foreigner
in the street who needs help in finding his/
her way
2 Congratulate on your friends’ good
results of exam
3 Praise your friends’ new hairstyle
small talk
make friends
think of
look away from…
social rules
in addition
find out
prepare for…
in advance
lack for
闲谈,聊天
交朋友,建立友谊
想起,回忆起
把目光从……移开
社交规则
除此之外,另外
了解;找到(信息)
为……做准备
事先,预先
缺乏,缺少
Suppose your friend Amy is going to visit our
headmaster (校长) next week. Please write a
letter to give her some advice on “what she
should or shouldn’t talk about in small talk,
and tell her some listening skills while having
communication”.