Class Aims

Discuss the importance and drawbacks of

small talk at meetings;
Learn some useful phrases for small talk;
Learn some useful phrases for starting a
meeting;
Provide practice and feedback of the
situation of starting a meeting;
Practice and make small talk;
Describe a busy schedule;
Develop your cultural awareness;
Discuss how culture changes over time;
Practice all the skills.
Ice Breaker
 Warm Up
Think about which subjects are appropriate to discuss in your country with friends, family,
and work colleagues. Complete the table with a Y if the subject is appropriate, or an N if it is
not.
Warm Up
 Small Talk:
(uncountable; make small talk) a
light, informal conversation,
usually with someone you do not
know well
 Discussion
Are you good at small talk?
In what situation do people
make small talk?
Which subjects do you
mostly talk about with each
person in your social
circle?
 Vocabulary
Complete the gaps below to explain the purpose of each sentence

Attention Belonging Boost Networking Question

a) “I’m all ears.” > giving somebody your full ……………......

b) “How did you get into the industry?” > doing professional
….......................................................................................... .
c) “How long did you stay in France?” > asking a follow-up
……………................................................................................ .
d) “My family have really supported me since I decided to
change careers.” > expressing a sense of
……………................................................................................ .
e) “I’ve been overjoyed ever since I got a dog.” >>> reporting a
……….......................................................…….. in happiness.
 Vocabulary - Answers
Complete the gaps below to explain the purpose of each sentence

Attention Belonging Boost Networking Question

a) “I’m all ears.” > giving somebody your full attention.

b) “How did you get into the industry?” > doing professional
networking.
c) “How long did you stay in France?” > asking a follow-up
question.
d) “My family have really supported me since I decided to
change careers.” > expressing a sense of belonging.
e) “I’ve been overjoyed ever since I got a dog.” >>> reporting a
boost in happiness.
How the phrases in the last exercise
might be linked to small talk?
 Exercise
Complete each sentence with a preposition.

Away up across in out

1. Starting a conversation with a stranger can come ________ as awkward.

2. Weddings are a great opportunity for single people to pair ________ to
dance, rather than dance alone.
3. At business events it’s good to reach ________ to people you don’t know.
4. Staying engaged ________ a conversation with a stranger can sometimes
be difficult.
5. People should put their phones ________ during small talk.
 Exercise - Answers
Complete each sentence with a preposition.

Away up across in out

1. Starting a conversation with a stranger can come across as awkward.

2. Weddings are a great opportunity for single people to pair up to dance,
rather than dance alone.
3. At business events it’s good to reach out to people you don’t know.
4. Staying engaged in a conversation with a stranger can sometimes be
difficult.
5. People should put their phones away during small talk.
 Brainstorm with the phrasal verbs
1. Starting a conversation with a stranger can come across as awkward.
2. Weddings are a great opportunity for single people to pair up to dance,
rather than dance alone.
3. At business events it’s good to reach out to people you don’t know.
4. Staying engaged in a conversation with a stranger can sometimes be
difficult.
5. People should put their phones away during small talk.

a) Join together.
b) Be perceived; be seen.
c) Put aside; put down.
d) Interested in; absorbed with.
e) Contact; connect.
Answers 1. B
2. A
3. E
4. D
5. C
 Decide whether or not you agree with
the statements from exercise and why.
 Let's watch!

How small talk can

make you happier
How do you think small talk can make us
happier?
Before you watch - Discuss the questions
What two things do people usually do if they don’t know
anyone at a party?
Do you what’s the ‘liking gap’?
When you make small talk, what can you do to be more
likeable?
What follow-up question could you ask when a person tells you
they like travelling?
What can come across as impolite during small talk?
 Let's watch! Without subtitles

1:21 PM
 Let's watch! With subtitles

1:21 PM
 After you watch - Discuss it again
What two things do people usually do if they don’t know
anyone at a party?
Do you what’s the ‘liking gap’?
When you make small talk, what can you do to be more
likeable?
What follow-up question could you ask when a person tells you
they like travelling?
What can come across as impolite during small talk?
 Answers
What two things do people usually do if they don’t know anyone at a party? A.:
Stare at their phone, talk to strangers. [00:09]
Do you what’s the ‘liking gap’? A.: A phenomenon in which people think that
their conversation partners don’t like them as much as they actually do.
[00:49]
When you make small talk, what can you do to be more likeable? A.: ask more
questions [01:25]
What follow-up question could you ask when a person tells you they like
travelling? A.: Where have you been? Where are you going next? [01:57]
What can come across as impolite during small talk? A.: Texting during a
conversation [02:15]
 Listening Exercise
Complete the gaps with one word each. Then, watch the video again and check.

A. So you have two options: the obvious

one of staring ______________ at your
phone, or the terrifying one of talking to
strangers.
B. They asked each person to
______________ how much they liked their
partner and how much they thought their
partner liked them. People consistently
______________ how much people liked
them and enjoyed their company.

1:21 PM
C. Questions like ‘What do you do?’ can be
pretty ______________ .
D. Asking follow-up questions is important.
[02:00]
This shows you’re ______________
listening.
 Listening Exercise
Complete the gaps with one word each. Then, watch the video again and check.

E. Studies have shown that people who

texted during a conversation were seen as
less polite and ______________ .
F. For example, experts ______________
that three out of four jobs are found
through professional networking rather
than a job ad.
G. Research has found that people report
feeling happier when they chat with
someone like a bartender or barista and

1:21 PM
treated them more like an ______________
than a stranger.
H. ______________ interactions can be
[02:00 to 03:20]
really positive experiences.
 Let's check the answers
A. So you have two options: the obvious
one of staring ______________ at your
phone, or the terrifying one of talking to mindlessly
strangers.

B. They asked each person to

rate
______________ how much they liked their
partner and how much they thought their

partner liked them. People consistently underestimated

______________ how much people liked

them and enjoyed their company.

C. Questions like ‘What do you do?’ can be dull
pretty ______________ .

D. Asking follow-up questions is important.

This shows you’re ______________
actively
listening.
 Let's check the answers
E. Studies have shown that people who
texted during a conversation were seen as attentive
less polite and ______________ .

F. For example, experts ______________

that three out of four jobs are found
estimate
through professional networking rather

than a job ad.

G. Research has found that people report

feeling happier when they chat with

someone like a bartender or barista and acquaintance

treated them more like an ______________

than a stranger.
H. ______________ interactions can be Casual
really positive experiences.
 Let's discuss!
How useful would you rate the video, on a scale from 1 to 10?
Justify your answer.
According to the video, people feel better when they treat
strangers as acquaintances. What could be the reason behind that?
In your opinion, why is the liking gap so common?
How important is professional networking to you?
How good are you at small talk? Has it always been like that? If not,
why has it changed?
When was the last time you made small talk? How did it go?
 Speaking Time!
Choose two topics from the boxes and create a small talk question for
each one. Try not to make the questions dull!
 Let's watch!

10 ways to have a
better conversation
Before you watch!

Vocabulary
Development
Match the following words from the talk to the definitions:
Answers
Match the following words from the talk to the definitions:
Answers
 Before you watch - Discuss the questions
What subjects do you not enjoy discussing because you think they are too trivial?
What subjects in your country tend to polarise people?
Can you think of a time when something important in your business was
overlooked? What happened?
What do you do to balance your professional and personal life?
What activities engage you the most? Why do you think that is?
Who or what inspires you most in your work life or your personal life?
Have you ever watched someone pontificate about a subject? What was it? How
did it make you feel about them?
Have you ever experienced someone being condescending to you? What
happened?
 Let's watch! Without subtitles

1:21 PM
 Let's watch! With subtitles

1:21 PM
 After you watch - Discuss these questions
about the rules of conversations
What do you think is meant by "go with the flow"?
How would you apply it to future conversations?
Why is "don’t worry about the details of the story" good advice?
Can you think of examples of conversations you have had where someone didn’t
follow this advice?
Can you write down some examples of open-ended questions that would be useful
in the kind of social situations you find yourself in at work?
Have you had an experience where someone was talking about something that
they clearly didn’t know about? What happened?
Do you multitask? What things do you do that distract you from conversations you
have? What could you do to ensure you are not distracted in the future?
Now, talk and number the rules in the order that the speaker
presents them. The first one has been done for you.

____ Don’t think your experience is the same as someone else’s.

____ Go with the flow.
____ Don’t multitask.
____ Listen.
____ If you don’t know something, be honest about it.
____Try not to repeat yourself.
____ Use open-ended questions.
____ Be brief.
____ Don’t worry about the details of a story.
____ Don’t pontificate.
Answers
6 - Don’t think your experience is the same as someone else’s.
4 - Go with the flow.
1 - Don’t multitask.
9 - Listen.
5 - If you don’t know something, be honest about it.
7 - Try not to repeat yourself.
3 - Use open-ended questions.
10 - Be brief.
8 - Don’t worry about the details of a story.
2 - Don’t pontificate.
 Talking Point
1. What was your opinion on the talk?
2. Were there any rules that you would add?
3. Were there any rules that you didn’t think were useful? If so, why?
4. Which rule did you think was the most useful? Why?
 Reading

An Introvert's Guide To
Small Talk: Painless
Tips
 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips
Introverts tend to dread small talk. They worry that it will be boring, awkward, or
that they’ll run out of things to say.
But in today’s world, small talk is difficult to avoid. Cocktail parties, networking
events, and even the line for coffee at work may require a brief exchange of
pleasantries.
Many introverts would be surprised to discover that small talk doesn’t have to be
painful. By learning a few simple techniques, you can polish your conversational
skills and make a positive impression.

Here are eight tips to master the art of small talk.

 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips

1. Reduce anxiety.

Introverts may approach small talk with anxiety, ranging from slight
apprehension to debilitating dread.
To curb your anxiety, stay rational and positive. Tell yourself any of the following
(the first four tips are adapted from Alan Garner's excellent book,
Conversationally Speaking: Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social
Effectiveness):
 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips

1. Reduce anxiety.

“The anxiety is coming from me and my beliefs, not the situation. I can do
this.”
“What’s the worse that can happen? If they don’t like me, so what?”
“Just because [XYZ] happened in the past, doesn’t mean it will happen
again.”
"Labels don't define me. I'm an interesting, worthy person with a lot to
contribute."
 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips

2. Be purposeful.

If you approach small talk with the belief that it will be dull and pointless, it
probably will. Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, remind yourself that
small talk isn't superficial. Small talk serves an important purpose - it helps build
the foundation for authentic conversations and deeper relationships down the
road.
 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips

3. Channel your curiosity.

Introverts tend to be curious people. They love digging deep, delving into topics
that interest them, and learning what makes people tick. Channel your natural
curiosity into small talk. When you ask “how are you?” or “how was your
weekend?”, approach the conversation with genuine interest. Carefully listen to
the other person, and provide a thoughtful response. If you show true interest,
you’ll invite further discussion and set a positive tone for future interactions.
 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips
4. Ask questions.

Introverts tend to feel uncomfortable in the spotlight. They are often reluctant
to disclose too much about themselves, especially to new people. So how can
you start conversations and keep them flowing? The answer is simple – ask
questions. By allowing the other person to take center stage initially, you can
build your comfort level before sharing your own thoughts.
 An Introvert's Guide To Small Talk: Painless Tips
8. Be kind to yourself.

Introverts are typically introspective souls who can concentrate for long periods of
time. However, this gift can become a curse when introverts dwell on their own
perceived faults and failures. If a particular endeavor didn’t go well, introverts may
replay the episode in their minds and berate themselves for not doing things
differently. If you botched up a conversation or wish you hadn’t said this or that, take
a few minutes to reflect and focus on your “takeaway” lesson for next time. Then
simply let it go. Everyone makes mistakes. To accomplish anything worthwhile, you
must be willing to fail many times (and occasionally look silly) before achieving
success.
Reading Comprehension

1. Do you consider yourself an

introvert person? If yes, would you
use these tips to start a
conversation?
2. Which one of these tips did you find
more useful?
3. Would you add any other tips to this
text?
Tag Questions
Uses and form
 Tag Questions
Use tag questions to confirm
information you already think is true or
to encourage someone to make small
talk with you.

It's a beautiful day, isn't it?

Tag Questions
When the statement is affirmative,
the tag is negative. When the
statement is negative, the tag is
affirmative. Use the same verb
tense or modal in the tag question as
in the main statement.
 Tag Questions
Affirmative Statements

You're Lee, aren't you?

She speaks Thai, doesn't she?
They'll be here later, won't they?
There are a lot of rules, aren't there?
You were there, weren't you?
They left, didn't they?
It's been a great day, hasn't it?
Anne would like ice cream, wouldn't she?
They can hear me, can't they?
Tag Questions
Negative Statements
You're not Amy, are you?
I don't know you, do I?
We're not going to eat here, are we?
It won't be long, will it?
He wasn't driving, was he?
We didn't know, did we?
She hasn't been here long, has she?
You wouldn't do that, would you?
He can't speak Japanese, can he?
 Be Careful!
Thank you
Use aren't I for negative tag questions after I am. -> I'm on
time, aren't I? BUT I'm not late, am I?

very much!
Use pronouns, not namer or other nouns, in tag questions.->
Bangkok is in Thailand, isn't it? NOT isn't Bangkok?
Conversation Model
A: Good morning! Beautiful day, isn't it?
B: It really is. By the way, I'm May Toshinaga.
A: I'm Jane Quinn. Nice to meet you!
B: Nice to meet you, too!
A: Do you mind if I call you May?
B: Absolutely not. Please do.
A: And please, call me Jane.
Expressions: Make small talk
Do you mind if I call you (May)?
Would it be rude to call you (May)?
What would you like to be called?
How do you prefer to be adressed?
Do you use Ms. or Mrs.?
 Exercises
Complete each statement with the correct tag question:
1. Rob is your manager, ............................?
2. I turned off the projector, ........................?
3. Tim is going to present next, ............................?
4. She won't be at the meeting before 2:00, .......................?
5. We haven't forgotten anything, ............................?
6. It was a great day, ............................?
7. The agenda can't be printed in the business center before 8:00 a.m.,
.................................?
8. They were explaining the meeting etiquette, ...................................?
9. She wants to be adressed by her first name, ...................................?
10. There was no one here from China, .................................?
 Exercises - Answers
Complete each statement with the correct tag question:
1. Rob is your manager, isn't he?
2. I turned off the projector, didn't I?
3. Tim is going to present next, isn't he?
4. She won't be at the meeting before 2:00, will she?
5. We haven't forgotten anything, have we?
6. It was a great day, wasn't it?
7. The agenda can't be printed in the business center before 8:00 a.m., can it?
8. They were explaining the meeting etiquette, weren't they?
9. She wants to be adressed by her first name, doesn't she?
10. There was no one here from China, wasn't there?
 Listening
Exercise
TBBT - The Big Bang Theory's scenes
Scene 01
 Scene 01

Let's put on the thinking cap, shall we?

Scene 02
 Scene 02

Subtlety isn't her strong suit, is it?

Scene 03
 Scene 03

Sheldon: I must say I'm enjoying your new chair.

Penny: It's great, isn't it?
Scene 04
Scene 04

Leonard: Sheldon, can you grab

me a water?
Sheldon: Possibly.
Leonard: Can you or can't you?
Sheldon: It's not that simple,
Leonard!
Leonard: It never is, is it?
Scene 05
Scene 05

Amy: Sure you're not coming

down with a cold.
Sheldon: Oh, yes! The coming cold
just like everyone else, you'd love
that, wouldn't you?
Scene 06
Scene 06

Penny: It's like the worst

Hollywood tour ever.
Leonard: Dude, she wanted to see
churches.
Penny: Hey, they have wine here,
don't they?
 Exercises

01 02
The Past Perfect
Describe a busy schedule
 The Past Perfect
Use the past perfect to describe an action that
occured before a specific time in the past. It's a
verb tense used to express past actions that
happened before another action in the past
too. It's the past of the past.
 The Past Perfect
Look at the timeline to see the order of the action.

Form the past perfect with had + a past participle

11:00 12:00
The meeting had ended
before we arrived
The meeting ended at 11:00. We arrived.
 The Past Perfect
Time markers by, already, and yet are often used with the
past perfect.

Examples:
By four o'clock the tour had begun.
They had already eaten when their friends called.
When the flight took off, the storm hadn't started yet (OR
hadn't yet started).
 The Past Perfect
Adverbs when, just, by the time, ever, never, before, after
are often used with the past perfect too.

Examples:
She had just left by the time he arrived.
They didn't come with us because they had visited this
museum before.
I had already cleaned the house when my mother arrived.
He asked me if I had ever been to Germany.
 The Past Perfect
Use the past perfect with the simple past or the past of be to
clarify which of two past actions occured first.
Examples:
The meeting had begun late, so we didn't have lunch until
2:00.
(First the meeting began, then we had lunch.)

By the time the tour was over, Ann had already met Kazuko.
(First Ann and Kazuko met, then the tour was over.)
 The Past Perfect
In informal speech, you can use the simple past instead of the
past perfect when the words by, before, and after make the
order of events clear.

Examples:
By April he started his new job.
Before I got married, I studied marketing
After I completed 18, I got my drivers license.
 Exercises
Choose the correct meaning for each statement:

1 - "Before they decided to have the meeting in Bangkok, I had already decided to
take my vacation there."
First they decide to have the meeting in Bangkok. Then I decided to take
my vacation there.

First I decided to take my vacation in Bangkok. Then they decided to have

the meeting there.
 Exercises - Answers
Choose the correct meaning for each statement:

1 - "Before they decided to have the meeting in Bangkok, I had already decided to
take my vacation there."
First they decide to have the meeting in Bangkok. Then I decided to take
my vacation there.

First I decided to take my vacation in Bangkok. Then they decided to have

the meeting there.
 Exercises
Choose the correct meaning for each statement:

2 - "By the time she got to the meeting, she had already reviewed the agenda."

First she reviewed the agenda. Then she got to the meeting.

First she got to the meeting. Then she reviewed the agenda.
 Exercises - Answers
Choose the correct meaning for each statement:

2 - "By the time she got to the meeting, she had already reviewed the agenda."

First she reviewed the agenda. Then she got to the meeting.

First she got to the meeting. Then she reviewed the agenda.
 Exercises
Choose the correct meaning for each statement:

3 - "They had already asked us to turn off our cell phones when the CEO began her
presentation."

First they asked us to turn off our cell phones. Then the CEO began her
presentation.

First the CEO began her presentation. Then they asked us to turn off our
cell phones.
 Exercises - Answers
Choose the correct meaning for each statement:

3 - "They had already asked us to turn off our cell phones when the CEO began her
presentation."

First they asked us to turn off our cell phones. Then the CEO began her
presentation.

First the CEO began her presentation. Then they asked us to turn off our
cell phones.
Listening
Exercise
Easy Livin' - Uriah Heep
 Easy Livin' - Uriah Heep
This is a thing I've never known before
It's called easy livin'
This is a place I've never seen before
And I've been forgiven
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Somewhere along the lonely road I had tried to find
you
Day after day on that windy road I had walked
behind you
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Waiting, watching
Wishing my whole life away
Dreaming, thinking
Ready for my happy day
And some easy livin'
Somewhere along the lonely road I had tried to find you
Day after day on that windy road I had walked, walked
behind you
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Easy Livin' - Uriah Heep

With Lyrics
 Exercises

01 02
Share one thing you've
learned in this class