View Content #26394

By Leila Tamini Lichaei, CASLS Fellow

Lesson Objectives: Learners will be able to

• Identify the characteristics of small talk and the occasions it’s used
• Subjectively compare small talk in the US with own cultures
• Engage more effectively in small talk

Modes: Interpersonal, Interpretive, Intercultural

Materials: Small Talk Worksheet, Agree/Disagree Worksheet, Small Talk Worksheet #2, and ability to play YouTube video (see below) for class

Procedure:

Warm up

To introduce the topic, ask students if they have any idea what small talk is. Then ask the following questions and write the students’ answers on the board. You can add other possible answers. This will help students review their previous knowledge regarding the topic of the lesson. Here is an example of how your board might look. 

Then, explain briefly that small talk is a way of conversation to make people feel better or to be friendly and polite. Give some examples to make it more clear.

Examples

• Are you having a great day? Yes very good thank you. How about you? (at a store)
• It's a lovely weather, isn't it? Yes, indeed. It's really beautiful! (in a park)
• Did you watch the football game last night? Oh yes it was a great game! (coworker)
• I like your jacket! It's very pretty.- Thank you very much! (at a party)

Observe

Next, play the first 20 seconds of the YouTube video about small talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpA_o3G0hGM

Ask students:

• What is the occasion?
• What are those people doing?

In the video, Barry Petersen talks with experts in social cognition and chit-chat to find out the do's and don't’s of making small talk at your next festive gathering.

Watch the first 20 seconds again, and ask students to focus on what is being said.

• Cheers!
• What are you guys doing for the holidays? Anything spectacular?
• I’m Berry!
• I’m Tracy. I’m Joe’s wife.

Watch the video from 00:20 to 01:35 and ask learners to take notes on the Small Talk Worksheet.

Then, ask learners to compare their notes in groups/pairs and discuss if they agree or disagree with the comments that were made in the video.

Watch the last part of the video from 06:35 to 07:13 and ask learners to take notes. Then students will do the next agree/disagree activity in pairs/groups and discuss their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.

Have students work in pairs/groups and answer the following questions. Ask them to share personal information and discuss how small talk works in real life situations.

Work in groups/pairs and write a possible small talk question and a preferred answer for each topic and then practice role playing it with partners.