Small Talk Phrases for Intermediate to Advanced English Learners

Introduction

• Speaker: Emma from mmmEnglish
• Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced English learners
• Purpose: Improve conversation skills through small talk.

What is Small Talk?

• Definition: Polite conversation about unimportant, everyday topics.
• Importance: Helps connect with others, build trust, and create rapport in social and professional situations.

Importance of Small Talk

• Essential in:
  • Social situations
  • Professional scenarios: getting to know colleagues, building rapport with customers, networking events.
• Cultural Aspect: Common in English-speaking cultures to ease into conversations with small talk.

Overcoming Anxiety

• Small talk can create anxiety for both native and non-native speakers.
• Encouragement to practice and overcome nervousness.

Community Support

• Mention of "Hey Lady!" online community for women to succeed in English.
• Offers:
  • Safe space to practice speaking
  • Support and encouragement from expert English coaches
  • Free 10-day trial available.

Starting the Conversation

• Better ways to ask "How are you?":
  • Responding options:
    • "I've been keeping busy"
    • "Not bad, thanks"
  • Follow-up questions:
    • "How's it going with you?"
    • "What have you been up to lately?"

Responding to Questions

• Reflect the question's grammar in your response:
  • Example: "I've been busy training the new marketing manager."
• Alternate response if avoiding the question:
  • "Nothing special, how about you?"

Asking Specific Questions

• Use "How is?" for specific inquiries:
  • Examples:
    • "How is work going?"
    • "How's your family?"
• Use "How was?" for past events:
  • Examples:
    • "How was your trip to Portugal?"

Small Talk in the Office

• Finding common ground is key to making conversation easier.
• Example phrases:
  • "I can't believe how busy we are today!"
  • Responses:
    • "I know! We're really under the pump."
    • "Yeah, it's been dead, hasn't it?",