Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

mmmEnglish

3.2M views 6 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When do you usually need to make small talk (work, parties, events, travel, etc.)?
What makes small talk “great” in your opinion: interesting topics, confidence, or being a good listener? Why?
Which small-talk topic feels easiest for you: work, life, travel, food, or the weather?

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How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

Why small talk matters + sponsorship message (00:00 – 02:32)

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1. Why does the speaker say small talk is useful?

It helps you build rapport and feel more positive about interactions.
It helps you win arguments at work.
It helps you avoid talking to strangers completely.

2. What is the main goal of the three-month challenges mentioned?

To commit to classes and level up language skills quickly
To memorize 30 small-talk questions in one day
To learn only through videos, without teachers

3. What happens if someone completes the Super Sprint?

They get free travel vouchers.
They get 100% refund on tuition fees.
They get 50% refund on course fees.

How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

Small talk strategy: topics + time (now/past/future) (02:32 – 04:05)

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1. What is small talk “about,” according to the speaker?

Sharing private secrets quickly
Comfort and helping people feel comfortable with each other
Proving you have a better opinion

2. Which set of broad categories does the speaker recommend focusing on?

Work, life, travel, food, and the weather
Technology, art, history, science, fashion
Politics, religion, money, health, sport

3. Besides topics, what other key idea should you keep in mind?

Silence (avoid asking questions)
Speed (talk as fast as possible)
Time (now, past experiences, future plans)

How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

30 question ideas + examples + homework challenge (04:05 – 12:14)

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1. What warning does the speaker give about asking future job questions?

Don’t ask about work at all because it’s too personal.
Avoid implying their current job isn’t good enough (e.g., “bigger” or “better”).
Always ask how much money they earn.

2. What does the speaker call a “go-to” question for small talk?

“Have you got much planned for the weekend?”
“Who did you vote for?”
“How much do you weigh?”

3. What homework does the speaker set at the end?

Write a formal essay about small talk.
Be ready to answer the questions with your own experiences and opinions.
Learn weather vocabulary only.

How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

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1. What is the main purpose of the 30 questions in the video?

To help you start and continue English conversations
To test grammar with difficult rules
To teach business email writing

2. Which topic does the speaker describe as the “absolute number one” small-talk topic?

Travel
Food
Weather

3. What conversation skill does the speaker highlight when using “So,” to start a new question?

Making the conversation more formal
Interrupting to control the conversation
Changing the subject naturally

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

Which of the five small-talk categories (work/life/travel/food/weather) works best in your culture, and which feels uncomfortable? Why?
Think of a recent situation where you had to talk to someone you didn’t know. Which question from the video would you use first, and what follow-up question would you ask?
Do you agree that small talk is like being a “detective” looking for clues? What clues do you listen for?
The speaker warns about sounding “offensive” when asking about someone’s job goals. What are other small-talk questions that can be risky, and how could you rephrase them politely?