01

Goals

Small Talk
Start small talk conversations Choose appropriate small talk topics Understand and use tag questions

Teacher: Assign activities

Part A

Students: Record your score

Gradebook score

70%

Part A

Emma has invited some friends to a party. She is talking to Jay.

Notice how they use the language.

Hey, hows it going? = Hello. 14

Gradebook score

y p eloR yalp eloR yalp eloR yalp eloR yalp eloR 4 p p p p p p

pilc oediV pilc oediV

1 Video clip 1 1 1 1

Meet the characters.

Jay

Emma
A question tag is a short question that is added (tagged on) to the end of a sentence. The tone goes down on the tag.

Hey, hows it going?

Part B

ygetartS ygetartS ygetartS ygetartS 3 etartS

Prepare

3 Strategy
Part A

g gnaL g gnaL g gnaL g gnaL 2 g enoz egaugnaL

Part A Part B Part C
weather food music work travel sports beautiful day delicious food sounds good take care out for a walk on my way home have a good night check out a new place

2 Language zone

Gradebook score

Part B

Part C

Small talk is those short, friendly, everyday conversations we have with anybodyfriends, as well as people we are meeting for the rst timeabout nothing very much at all. You can use questions like these to start a small talk conversation.

Busy today, isnt it? Looking forward to the weekend? Beautiful day, isnt it? Nice place, isnt it?

Hot today, isnt it?

Gradebook score

4 Role play
Part A

Part B

Do you want to be Rita or Sophie? Choose a role and interact with the other person online.
Completed

Rita

Sophie

15

in class
Listen and respond A
Listen to Lisa making small talk throughout her day. Number the events in the correct order and write down the topic for each conversation.
the season the weather a busy day the weekend
04-07

01
Strategy in action
Communication strategy Small talk conversation usually starts with questions or statements about a simple topic. Here is some language to help you.
Are you having fun? Do you live near here? Busy, isnt it? How long have you been waiting? What do you think of the music? The food smells good, doesnt it? Nice place, isnt it? This food is delicious, isnt it? The music sounds great, doesnt it?

A
1

08-11

Listen to each conversation. Write the correct questions in the speech bubbles.
Its awesome!
3

Yeah, its so crowded.

04-07

Listen again. What questions does Lisa ask in each conversation? Fill in the blanks.
got ... special time ... year
? to the weekend? , isnt it? you? Are you Its nice this

how about

wants ... work sure ... mind

Who

busy today this weather

to anything

looking forward
2

Too long.

I sure am.

1 2 3 4

How about

on a day like this? planned? ? , isnt it? of you dont

What can you make small talk about and who can you make small talk with? Interview three of your classmates and complete the table. Use the words in the box to help you or come up with your own ideas.
hair stylist neighbor sports shop clerk taxi driver fashion travel work free time
Name What can you make small talk about? Who can you talk to about this topic?

B Look at the situations below. Write a question or statement for each one to help you start a
conversation. Then practice starting a conversation with a partner.
waiting for the train
at the hair salon

Ann

travel

neighbor

at a party

in a caf

16

17

in class
Language in action A
12

01
Communication task A
14

Read and listen. Does Rita want something to drink? Check the correct answer.

Listen to whats happening at Kellys party. Check the small talk topics you hear.
travel food the place music

Model
Rita Sophie Rita Sophie Rita Sophie Rita Sophie Rita
Nice place, isnt it? Its great. I wish we had a party every weekend. Me, too. This music is good, isnt it? Yeah. By the way, Im Sophie. Pleased to meet you. Im Rita. Can I get you something to drink? Sure. Thanks. Not right now, thanks.

the weather fashion

Look at the picture of Kellys party and listen to the conversations again. Match the correct questions and comments to the people.
A B C

14

Nice place, isnt it? Its really busy, isnt it? Are you having a good time?

E F G H

So, how do you know Kelly? Wasnt the food delicious? Do you live near here? The music is good, isnt it?

D Too bad its started raining.

Listen to the intonation of the questions and answers. Now repeat using the correct tone on the underlined word.
1 2

13

Are you having fun? I sure am!

3 4

Busy, isnt it? Yeah, it is.

Now work in pairs. Use the model to make new conversations. Use the questions and replies below to make small talk. Make sure you change the names, too.
Are you having fun? I sure am! Busy, isnt it? Yeah, it is. Do you live near here? Yes. Just around the corner. The food is delicious, isnt it? Yeah, I love it.

You and your classmates are guests at Kellys party. Start conversations and make small talk with three people. Write down the names of everyone you talk to and what you talk about.
I talked to We talked about

Kendra

the weather

18

19

in class
Activity zone Video extras A Watch the video. Listen to what Emma and Jay say and complete the conversation.
Jay Emma Jay Emma
So, how Actually, Gabby. Dylan? with

01

Small talk
Work with a partner. Look at the sentences in the boxes. Decide which small talk topic each sentence belongs to and put the conversation in the correct order under the appropriate topic. Practice with a partner. See how long you can talk about one topic!
? Do you have anything special planned So do I.

Oh, so youre Kentas wife. Ive about you! , I hope?

B Write a video script for Jay and Emma. Jay is telling

Emma about himself.
Me, too. Im a terrible dancer.
Yeah, I cant wait.

I know. Its a hot day, isnt it?

How about this weather?

Act out your script with a classmate.

Yeah. I hope it cools down by the weekend.

Yeah, it does. Are you going to dance?

Looking forward to the weekend?

No, Im just going to take it easy and relax.

No, Im going to stay here and watch the band.

The music sounds great, doesnt it?

Weather
Speaker A

Music
Speaker A

Weekend
Speaker A

Quiz Extras
Assigned Gradebook score

Speaker B

Speaker B

Speaker B

Speaker A

Speaker A

Speaker A

Speaker B

Speaker B

Speaker B

20

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2 Writing task
Assigned

emaG emaG

3 Game 2

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Part A Gradebook score

1 Video zone 1

Part B

5 (least) 1 (most) to

nd useful? What did I e? What did I lik

Completed

ities Video activ ities Online activ es ning activiti In-class liste del In-class mo es ation activiti convers ation task Communic e Activity zon

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