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Small Talk Role Play

Small talk is a friendly conversation with strangers or acquaintances to get to know them better or pass the time. Appropriate topics include weather, sports, hobbies, work and family. Subjects to avoid are religion, politics, health and complaints. The goals are finding common interests and learning something new. You can start small talk by complimenting someone, mentioning the weather, or asking an open question. It's important to listen and ask follow up questions to keep the conversation balanced.

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Odette Trujillo
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207 views14 pages

Small Talk Role Play

Small talk is a friendly conversation with strangers or acquaintances to get to know them better or pass the time. Appropriate topics include weather, sports, hobbies, work and family. Subjects to avoid are religion, politics, health and complaints. The goals are finding common interests and learning something new. You can start small talk by complimenting someone, mentioning the weather, or asking an open question. It's important to listen and ask follow up questions to keep the conversation balanced.

Uploaded by

Odette Trujillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is small talk?

See Answer

Small talk is a friendly conversation that we have with


a stranger or acquaintance. Sometimes, we make small
talk to make a new friendship. Sometimes we make
small talk because we are interested in learning more
about a stranger but we don’t expect a friendship, or
we’re simply passing the time.
What subjects can we talk
about during small talk?
See Answer

Weather, sports, technology, travel, work, family and


friends, hobbies, holidays, local places… and more!
What subjects do we usually
avoid during small talk?
See Answer

Religion, politics, controversial topics, money, physical


appearance, health history, complaints about other people
and age.
What are the goals of
small talk?
See Answer

To find things in common and to learn something new.


How can you start
small talk?
See our suggestions

• Talk about a person you both know: restaurant would you recommend?
“How do you know Katie?”
• Ask about something they have: “I
• Compliment them on an item of see you have the new ePhone. I was
clothing: “What a great hat!” thinking of getting one. Would you
recommend it?”
• Mention the weather: “Wow - this
weather is terrible!” • Guess a hobby: “I see you have
walking boots on. Do you do a lot of
• Offer help: “Can I help you with that
hiking?”
box?”
What do you say when you find
something in common?
See our suggestions

• Me too! (affirmative) • I can totally relate to that!


• Me neither! (negative) • Absolutely!
• So + auxiliary verb + I! • That’s so funny, I also…
• Neither + auxiliary verb + I!

• What a coincidence, I also…


How can you react to an
interesting story?
See our suggestions

• How interesting!
• How cool!
• How amazing!
• That sounds fantastic!
• I didn’t know that!
• Wow! I’d love to know more about that!
How do you end a
conversation politely?
See our suggestions

• Well, I must be going. Lovely to meet you!


• Time to be off. Lovely chatting to you!
• How interesting! I’m afraid I have to get back to work now.
• Great to meet you. See you around!
Remember!
A good conversation is Keep the conversation going by asking ‘open
balanced: questions’. That’s questions beginning with:
• Who… • How…
50% you talking, 50% the • What… • Why…
other person talking. • When… • Which…

If someone asks you a ‘yes/no’ question, keep the conversation


going by saying:
• Yes, and + more information + question.
E.g. “Do you like cooking?”
“Yes, I love baking cakes, especially chocolate cake. Do you bake?”
• No, but + more information + question.
E.G. “Do you live near here?”
“No, I don’t. I work near here but I live near the park. Are you familiar with it?”
Role Play 1: party small talk.
A: Have you tried this dip? It’s really good.
B: Yes, it’s absolutely delicious. Brandon is a really good cook.
A: I wish I could cook like him! So how do you know Brandon?
B: We’re in the tennis club together. How about you?
A: We work in the same building. How long have you been playing tennis?
B: Just since last year. I needed a new hobby! Do you play?
A: I don’t, but I love watching Wimbledon.
B: Cool! Who’s your favourite player?
A: Naomi Osaka.
B: Yeah, she’s an incredible player. I’m Fred, by the way. And you are?
A: I’m Claudia. Nice to meet you!
B: Likewise. So, what other sports do you watch?
A: …

See if you can continue the conversation!


Role Play 2: public space small talk.
A: Hey there, I really like your scarf.
B: Oh, thank you! It was only £4 from a charity shop.
A: How fantastic!
B: Yeah, you need a good scarf in this weather!
A: Absolutely. It got so cold so quickly - I should have brought my gloves with
me today.
B: Well that’s England for you!
A: I’m not used to it. I’m from Spain.
B: Oh really? What are you doing in England?
A: I’m studying for my master’s degree in finance.
B: How interesting. I’m not good with numbers, myself!
A: What do you do?
B: I’m an English teacher.
A: …
See if you can continue the conversation!
Role Play 3: office small talk.
A: Morning. I’m going for coffee. Would you like some?
B: Oh yes please, I’m dying for a cup of coffee!
A: How was your weekend?
B: Oh, the usual. Taking the kids to football practice, that kind of thing.
A: How many kids do you have?
B: Two girls - they’re 8 and 10.
A: They sound like they have a lot of energy!
B: They keep us busy, that’s for sure. Do you have any kids?
A: No, I don’t. So that means I get to relax at the weekend!
B: What did you get up to?
A: I went to a yoga class and met up with my friends at the pub.
B: That sounds great.
A: By the way, I don’t know much about your job here. What exactly do you do?
B: I’m in HR.
A: …

See if you can continue the conversation!

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