Highs, Lows, Struggles

1. Highs, Lows, Struggles • With a partner, talk about your weekend! • Talk about the best parts of your weekend (the highs) • And also the worst parts (the lows) • What struggles did you have speaking English?

2. Small Talk Stan Creel October 3rd, 2016

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb0ef6NhY74

4. What were the cavemen doing? • Why were they having a conversation? • What did they talk about? • How well do you think they know each other?

5. What is Small Talk? • Small Talk is polite conversation about unimportant (small) topics. Most conversations begin with small talk. • All Native English speakers use small talk. However, it is the most common with: • Strangers • Friends of Friends (Acquaintances) • People who often have short conversations, but do not know each other well.

6. Good Topics Bad Topics • Weather • Sports • Entertainment (TV, Movies, Celebrities, etc) • Something you and the other person have in common • Salary • Appearance or Age • Weight • Religion • Politics • Personal Information or Controversial Topics

7. How to Start Small Talk? • There are 4 ways to start small talk: • Ask questions • Ex. “Did you watch the football game on Saturday?” • Complain • Ex. “It’s so hot outside!” • Compliment • Ex. “Wow, what a nice car.” • Observe • Ex. “I heard that Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts.”

8. Asking Questions • Who, What, Why, Where, When, Which, How • “Do you ________?” or “Did you ________?” (Past Tense) • Ex. “Do you watch a lot of movies?” or “Did you go to the football game on Saturday?” • Do not ask about: • How much money someone earns • Age and appearance • Religion

9. Complaining • Complaining is saying that you do not like something. • The most common way of starting small talk. • Common things to complain about: • Weather • Being Late (Public Transportation) • Waiting for a long time • Cost (Expensive)

10. Complaining • Common phrases: • “I don’t like _____.” • “[Something] is always so _____.” (Bad/Late/Long/Expensive/etc.) • “I can’t believe _____.” • “I hate _____.”

11. Complaint Response • “It’s so hot outside today!” • “The line to use the bathroom is so long!” • “I can’t believe it’s $20 for a small coffee.” • “I hate parking on campus.” • “Yeah, I know.”

12. Complaint Response • “It’s so hot outside today!” • “The line to use the bathroom is always so long!” • “I can’t believe it’s $20 for a small coffee.” • “I hate parking on campus.” • “I know, I can’t stop sweating.” • “I know, I’ve been waiting for 30 minutes.” • “Yeah, it’s so expensive.” • “Me too.”

13. Complaint Response • “It’s so hot outside today!” • “The line to use the bathroom is so long!” • “I can’t believe it’s $20 for a small coffee.” • “I hate parking on campus.” • “........” • *Nod your head*

14. Compliments • Complimenting is saying that you like something. Possessions and appearance are often complimented. • Common phrases: • “I like your _____.” • “What a nice _____.” • “Wow, what a nice _____.” • “Where did you get your _____?”

15. Responding to Compliments on Possessions • It is common for Native Speakers to mitigate compliments (make less serious). • Native speakers will mitigate compliments by saying their possession is old or boring. • Ex: Stranger: “I really like your top!” You: “Oh no, I’ve had this shirt for years.”

16. Responding to Compliments on Possessions • Respond with “Thank you” • When or Where you received the possession. • Ex. Stranger: “I like your watch.”You: “Thank you, I got it last week. or “Thank you, I got it at the Oaks Mall.”

17. Compliment Response • “I like your shoes!” • “What a nice backpack.” • “Wow, what an awesome car!” • “Where did you get your haircut? It looks great!” • “Oh no, I’ve had these forever.” • “Thanks! My dad gave it to me.” • “No, it’s so old.” • “Thank you! I went to the hair salon on Main Street.”

18. Compliments on Ability • Women usually compliment appearance or possessions more often. • Men usually compliment performance or ability more often. • You’re really good at _____.” (verb + ing) • You can really _____.” (verb) • *Complimenting appearance (clothes, hair, etc) of the opposite sex may be seen as flirting (being romantic). • Complimenting possessions is more safe.

19. Observations • An Observation is a comment or statement, usually about your environment or an event that is happening currently. • Phrases that show you’re making an observation: • I heard • I think • *They say • I heard Krispy Kreme is giving out free donuts today. • They say there’s going to be a thunderstorm tomorrow. • I think our boss is upset. • * “They say” is used only with larger events.

20. Observation Response • “I heard Krispy Kreme is giving out free donuts today.” • “They say there’s going to be a thunderstorm.” • “I think our boss is upset.” • “Really?” • “I hope not.” • “Why?” • Continue the conversation

21. Observation Response • “I heard Krispy Kreme is giving out free donuts today.” • “They say there’s going to be a thunderstorm.” • “I think our boss is upset.” • “......” • *Nod your head*

22. Practice!

23. With a partner, look at the following pictures and come up with a question, complaint, compliment, or observation for each.

28. Write down a sentence using each of the following words: • Should’ve • Could’ve • Would’ve