Culture and Small Talk

A very important aspect of conversation is the ability to make 'small talk'. This helps to make people feel more comfortable and helps you get to know them better.

Today's activity comes from Business Spotlight and is based around a video clip from a series on building up Business skills. Being good at socializing and making small talk can be very important in business.

Task:

• Think about the kinds of topics you usually make small talk about. Could you talk about the same things in English? What would you say?
• Now go to: http://www.business-spotlight.de/language-skills/videos/socializing/culture-and-small-talk
  

• Here you will see a video of Bob from Business Spotlight talking about two different styles of socialising and making small talk. He describes them as Peach and Coconut. Watch the video and decide whether you are a Peach or a coconut.

There are more videos you can watch and learn from at: http://www.business-spotlight.de/language-skills/videos


I hope you enjoy these and develop your listening and business skills.

Here are some more Business English Activities.

Related links for teachers:

• The StockNews Game
• Using 'How to' videos
• Advertisement Project
• Multimedia Business Simulation
• Becoming a citizen journalist
• Video conferencing for EFL
• Make your own chat room

Best

Nik Peachey

Chatting to Strangers

I was always told never to talk to strangers, but if you are careful, chatting to strangers online can be a good way to practice your English.


First, things you should never tell someone online are:

• Your address
• Your telephone number
• Never agree to meet with someone you have met online

When using an online chat site to practice your English, it might be better to invent a fictional personality to use. The chat site that we are going to use for today's activity is called Omegle and it allows you to chat anonymously in English with a total stranger.

Task:

• Before you go to the chat site, decide what information you would like to share and what you would like to know. It is good to think of a few things before you start as it can sometimes be difficult to get conversations started.
• Things you could discuss are;
  Sport
  The culture of the country
  The weather
  A good film you have seen recently
  Taste in music or art
  Jobs or studies
• It's good idea to have a few questions prepared on any of the topics you want to talk about.
• The information you share doesn't have to be true, but if you use your own experiences, you are more likely to have things to say.
• When you have 6 or 7 questions ready got to: http://omegle.com/ and click the 'Start a chat' button.
  

• One of the first things you may be asked is; "asl?" which means age, sex (Are you male or female?), and location.
• Remember: You don't have to be honest about these and never give anyone your exact location, a country or town should be enough to get conversation started.
  

• If at any time you feel uncomfortable with the person you are chatting with or if they ask questions you don't like, simply click on 'Disconnect' and you can start a new conversation with someone else.
• It might take a few attempts to get a conversation going, but don't be discouraged. It's all good practice.
  

Well I hope you have a good chat and find somethings out about other countries and cultures.

Related links for teachers:

• AI and Chat Bots for EFL ESL
• Sending Bubble Joy to your EFL / ESL Students
  
• Video conferencing for EFL
• A Virtual World for Facebook Users
• Make your own chat room

Best

Nik Peachey