nullnullnullnullWords Previewsmall talk
informal
serious闲谈,聊天
adj.非正式的
adj.严肃的nullWarm upWhich conversation in the pictures is a “small talk”?nullnullWhat is small talk? 1. Light conversation: polite conversation about matters of little importance, especially between people who do not know each other well
2. Small talk is pleasant conversation about common interests.
3. Polite conversation about trivial or uncontroversial matters.
4. Casual or trivial conversation.
5. Light informal conversation for social occasions DiscussionnullSmall talk can be a big challenge, but a little preparation and confidence is all you need. small talk (from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary): conversation about unimportant things, often between people who do not know each other well:
I don't enjoy parties where I have to make small talk with complete strangers.How to make small talknullTips1. Be yourself. Keep in mind that confidence and humor are superb substitutes for comedic genius or wit.
2. Remember, you never have to do it alone.
3. Keep a few exit lines in mind too. For example, “Thanks for the wonderful chat, but I must make believe I'm interested in everybody else.” nullSteps1. Practice. Converse with everyone you
come across.
2. Read everything
3. Force yourself to get into small talk
situations
4. Immerse yourself in culture, both high
and low.
5. Keep a journal.
6. Talk to yourself in the mirror.
7. Expand your horizons.
8. Be a better listener.
9. Work on confidence, overcoming
shyness and any feelings of stage fright. Famous DictionariesFamous DictionariesMacmillan English Dictionary
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary
Oxford Advanced Learner’s DictionaryRead the dictionary definitions of small talk and answer the questions.Read the dictionary definitions of small talk and answer the questions.1 Which definitions make small talk sound like a positive thing?
The Longman definition.
2 Which definitions refer to places where small talk might take place?
The Collins/Oxford definitions.1null3 Why is it a problem if someone has no small talk?
They find it difficult to make new friends.
4 What do you think is the Chinese for “small talk”?
闲谈,聊天。nullDiscussion and Speaking2Read the words.careers cars examinations film stars food music politics sport travel weathernull1 If you talk about these topics, is the conversation serious or 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?nullnullconfidently
make friends
lack
(be) nervous about
advance
think of
nodadv.自信地
交朋友,建立友谊
v.缺乏,缺少
对……焦虑不安
adj.预先的,在前的
想起,回忆起
v.点头Words Previewnullbody language
yawn
sigh
look away from
social rules
in addition
find out
opportunity 身体语言,肢体语言
v.打哈欠
v.叹气,叹息
把目光从……移开
社交
规则
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除此之外,另外
了解,找到(信息)
n.机会nulldamage encourage impress prepare recogniseComplete the sentences with the correct form of the words in the box.1null1 The singer was really good! She _________ me a lot!
2 He had an accident and ________ his bicycle.
3 Don’t shout at the children. You should _________ them to do better.
4 Make sure you _______ for your English examination. Do more homework!
5 At the party, I _________ a boy who used to attend my school.damagedencourageimpressed preparerecognisednullDecide what kind of book it is from.
It is from a book which tells you what to do at social events. We can guess from the title “How Good Are Your Social Skills” and subtitles “Learn how to do small talk”, “Develop your listening skills” and “Learn the rules”.Skimming the passagenullThe general idea:
This passage is about social skills. It tells us how to have a conversation and how to do small talk and when we go to a social occasion, we should pay attention to social rules in different countries.The main idea of each paragraph:The main idea of each paragraph:Part 1 (Paras.1-2) Introduction to the body of the passage by asking questions
Part 2 (Para.3) How to do small talk
Part 3 (Paras.4-6) Dos and don’ts while listening
Part 4 (Paras.7-8) The social rulesCareful Readingnull1 According to the article, should people plan what they’re going to say at parties?
Yes, they should prepare some topics to talk about.
2 What do people think about those who talk too much?
They are not impressive. Read the passage again and answer the questions.3null3 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 your are listening.
5 What does the quotation from Benjamin Disraele tell you about people?
People like talking about themselves.null1 When I meet strangers, I don’t like to talk about myself, so I _____ answering personal questions.
2 There are very few foreign visitors to my town, so we ____ the opportunity to meet people from other countries. sigh yawn nod avoid lack smileavoidlack 4Complete the sentences.null3 I said that we don’t have enough opportunity to speak English and he ______ his head in agreement.
4 I think the man I spoke to was tired- he _______ a lot.
5 He looked very sad when I asked him about his home. He _____ when he answered me.
6 I felt very welcome when I arrived at the party. The host ______ at me and shook my hand.noddedyawnedsmiledsighedLook at the phrases from the passage and answer the questions.Look at the phrases from the passage and answer the questions.1 If you can talk confidently, does this mean that you are worried about talking to people?
No, it doesn’t.
2 What kind of advance planning could you do before going to a party in a foreign country?
You could find out what the social conventions are about arriving, leaving and bringing gifts. 5null3 Can you give an example of a low-risk conversation opener if you were talking to a friend of your parents’, for example?
“Did you watch the Cup Final last Saturday?”/ “Have you seen the new James Bond film?”
4 What encouraging noises and gestures can you make when you’re having a conversation in Chinese?
Smiling, nodding, saying “Yes” and “Oh, really?” etc.null
5 What is an example of positive body language?
Facing the person who is speaking and making eye contact.
6 Are social rules the same in every country?
No, they aren’t.null1 Which of the ideas in the reading passage do you think are useful in your society?
2 Are there any conversation techniques that you think you will use in the future?
3 Which of the listening skills are you good at?
4 Which of the social skills do you need to improve?
5 What are some of the usual small talk topics in China?Discussion and Speaking1. I think advance planning is very useful. I never paid attention to it before. That is, I didn’t do any advance planning before I went to a party. For example, I didn’t buy proper presents in advance. In a hurry, the present bought was sometimes unsuitable for the host. I seldom tried to know about other guests. Without advance preparations, sometimes I would get embarrassed.1. I think advance planning is very useful. I never paid attention to it before. That is, I didn’t do any advance planning before I went to a party. For example, I didn’t buy proper presents in advance. In a hurry, the present bought was sometimes unsuitable for the host. I seldom tried to know about other guests. Without advance preparations, sometimes I would get embarrassed.2. I will go to university abroad after graduation. I will meet people from different countries. In order to contact with them very well, I must know about their customs and social rules. So at the beginning I will think of “safe” or low-risk topics to talk about. I believe soon I will make friends with them.3. I am good at keeping good eye contact with an attentive look. You know, eyes are windows of minds. From my eyes, the speaker knows that I am interested in what he is talking about. It is good manners, even in other countries.
4. Sometimes I don’t know what proper topics to choose when I meet strangers. Most of the time I keep silent. The moment is a hard time to me. From this passage I know a little about how to do small talk. I believe later when I meet with the similar occasion, I can manage.5. In everyday life, parents choose to talk about their children –their children’s life, studies, hobbies. Teachers get together to talk about their students- good or bad at some subjects or the results of examinations.
Today we have learnt the passage about social skills which had much to do with our daily life. From the passage we know that social skills are very important when a person is in communication or having a conversation with others. We have also learnt some social rules and how to do small talk. It is necessary for us to learn something about social skills. As you know, we are now working hard to build a harmonious society if we don’t know how to behave in communicating with others. Especially, in 2008 the Olympic Games will be held in Beijing in our country. At that time how will we display our good manners to the whole world? So we must learn more about this inside or outside class.null