Small Talk
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Level:
Intermediate & higher -
Estimated classroom time:
120 min
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Price:
$15.00
What you get
This intermediate and upper-intermediate ESL workbook helps students master the art of small talk – a crucial skill for building trust and setting the tone before a client interview. Through real conversations, listening activities, and intercultural insights, learners practice using active listening techniques, asking thoughtful questions, and navigating cultural norms. It’s the perfect launchpad for developing professional fluency and interpersonal confidence.
This lesson equips learners with natural, conversation-ready language for pre-interview small talk and rapport-building. Expressions like “keep up with,” “bring up,” “brush up on,” “silver lining,” and “back-to-back meetings” help students sound professional, friendly, and engaged – whether they’re easing into a meeting or breaking the ice with a potential client.
✅ Warm-up discussion
✅ Active listening strategy practice
✅ Listening task (comparing two small talk examples before an interview)
✅ Role-play exercises (practicing small talk using everyday prompts and active listening phrases)
✅ Culture-focused discussion
✅ Listening: expert interview (understanding how cultural values shape small)
✅ Follow-up reflection & role-play (practicing pre-interview small talk in pairs/small groups)
✅ Pronunciation & production task (repeating key phrases for natural intonation, then building own sentences for use in real settings)