SMALL TALK: What to say and what NOT to say!
What is “small talk”? Small talk is a type of conversation we make when we are talking to people we don’t know well. It’s one of the most important speaking skills to develop when you learn English. In this lesson, I will teach you what you should and shouldn’t talk about with people you don’t know well in North America. The topics that are appropriate for small talk are different in different cultures, so these might be different from what you’re used to, depending on where you are from. We will also talk about how to politely leave a conversation. Small talk can help you connect with new people, make friends, network, and it can also help you feel more comfortable in a conversation. Test your small talk skills with the quiz: www.engvid.com/small-talk/
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TRANSCRIPT
Hello. My name is Emma, and in today's video we are going to talk about something very, very important in English, and that is small talk. Okay? So, I'm first going to talk about: What is small talk? And then I'm going to talk about the good things to do in order to make good small talk, and the don'ts - the things we don't do when we're making small talk.
Okay, so first of all, what is "small talk"? Very good question. So, I've written some question words up here: "What?", "Who?", "Where/When?", "Why?", and "How?" So, what is "small talk"? "Small talk" is a type of conversation. It's conversation we make with people we don't know that well. Okay? So, it's conversation we make when we don't really know people that well. We use small talk not with our family, not with our friends; we use small talk with strangers - with people we don't know.
We use it with acquaintances. And for those of you who don't know, "acquaintance" is somebody you know, but not really well. So, for example, your neighbour might be an acquaintance. Your friend's friend might be an acquaintance. So, with strangers, with acquaintances, people you know their name but you don't really know them well. With your co-workers, with your boss, with your neighbours, with the clerk at the store maybe - if you like to go to a cafe, you might use it with the person who works at the cafe. So, small talk is for people you don't know that well.
So, where and when? We've already talked of a couple of examples. Have you ever been on an elevator, and everybody's look at their phone; nobody's making eye contact? A lot of people will make small talk on elevators. At parties. We use small talk at parties. We use them when we're in line ups; sometimes we talk to people near us. We use them at conferences when we're in business or academics. We use them in our classes. When you have a classmate, you don't know them that well, you would probably use small talk. And there are many, many other situations you use small talk.
So, why do we use small talk? Well, number one, we want to be friendly. Okay? When we meet somebody, we don't want to seem rude, we don't want to seem unfriendly; we want to seem friendly, so we use small talk. We use small talk to meet new people. A lot of students, when they come to other countries, they want to meet new people. A good way to do that is by using small talk.
We want to not feel uncomfortable. Okay? We want to feel comfortable; not uncomfortable. If, for example, you're in an elevator and nobody's talking, it makes everybody feel a little bit uncomfortable. Small talk could make that situation feel more comfortable. We also use small talk to make other people feel comfortable. Okay? We're trying to make a connection with other people and make them feel comfortable, too. All right?
So, key point: Small talk we use for people we don't know that well; we use it for strangers, acquaintances, neighbours. Do we use it for family and friends? Not really. We use it for many different types of situations, and we use it for multiple reasons. So now I'm going to teach you some great ways to make small talk.
Okay, so remember small talk is for everybody. So, we want to keep the conversation easy, and things everybody can talk about. Okay? So, what are some things that would make great small talk? Well, first of all, I want you to imagine you're at a party and you don't know anyone, and you want to talk to somebody. Here are some great things you could say. So, to start, you can talk about the place you're in or the venue. Okay?
So, for example, if music is playing, you can just say to someone: "Oh, I love this song", and that can start a conversation. Or maybe you can say: "What a great apartment this is" or "Isn't that such a beautiful painting? You know, it's such a nice painting." […]
Пікірлер: 545
I just wanna say thank you for the classes. You're a firt person that I feel totally comfortable to learn that language that I love so much
Thanks! Great video, i'm improving my english with you, the best teacher! God bless you!
I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, I am learning English and I am proud of myself because I can understand everything you say. I enjoy watching your videos every day. Don't stop to do this, please
Holy shit, that was quite an intro of what's small talk instead of telling us how to do it !
I love your teaching methods Thank you..
Hi Emma, I am Arnie. I am colombian and I've been living in Ohio six months. I speak Spanish but I am learning English with your You Tube channel. You are making a great job, thank you so much for your help !
Hi Emma, Wonderful lesson about small talk - what you say and what not you say. I admire your tips and suggestions for improving English conversation. Thank you.
Thank you, Emma! You're a great teacher.
Thank you teacher for sharing your experiences with us
One of the best teacher in KZread Emma Mame I recommend you guys❤
I love learning english with Emma. I have been encouraged to learn English since I was inspired by english tutorials on youtube, including Emma, one of my best teachers.
I was needing exactly this lesson. Thank you very much, Emma! You are a wonderful teacher.
Thank you so much. You're best teacher because you explain slowly and correctly ❤
She's the best Online English teacher I have ever seen
@nyelkenci
4 жыл бұрын
yeah you are right, . she is really good. Adam from Engvid was my man, now herself
Hi Emma. I came across your videos recently. It helped me a lot to prepare for IELTS. I had only 10 days to prepare. And fortunately scored overall 7.0 band. Thank you so much.
Thanks for your lessons Emma, it help us how to learn, but how to enjoy our moments of interact with others trough our conversations . Lessons like this make us a better persons, a better speakers, and indeed a bests friends.
I so liked this teacher ✝️💐🌹🙏God bless you.🇸🇪💐🌹🙏✝️.
Wow!! What a teacher!!! You are amazing. Thank you for posting a lot of great lessons!!
Thank you so much teacher!
thank you, Emma. I love your videos. I started watching you a long time ago. and I learned a lot of things. You are an amazing teacher and you helped me in a country where young people do not have the chance to learn new languages.
@olivarantoniomartinez5643
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Emma how are you doing? First of all I want to thank you for these lessons you are both a great teacher and a gorgeous girl, your lessons have helped me a lot, by the way I serve to the Lord God all mighty I love your manners it seems to me you serve to the Lord too, God bless you have a good night.
Thanks Emma, love your teaching
You are that tutor who is second to none for me because I`m getting the batch of something after watching her meaningful videos🤘🙏❣️😘. I really appreciate her teaching style ❣️😘
Excelent Emmita!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you!!👏👏❤💙🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇
Hello Emma. Congrats for your job and thanks for helping us. You rock!!!
Best teacher ever see God bless you Emma
Hi there. I just want you to know your service is helping to eliminate boundaries between people. I'm learning a lot. 🙌🙏
Thank you so much Emma. God bless you
Thank so much for your video. I learned something new today. Now i know what is small talk,the do's and dont's.
Thanks Emma.
God Bless you for all you teaches me. Thank you very much
It's my first lesson with you. I am very motivated to continue my studying English. You're a good teacher!
Thanks you very much
Great video, thank you! God bless you !
Hi Emma.I'm Domingos from Brazil. I've watched classes from other teachers. All of them are great teachers, but you're the best ever . I've learned a lot from you. Thanks a lot for your help. My english has improved a lot . Again, thank you very much indeed and stay Wirth God.
Thank you so much Emma. You're such a good teacher I hope you always be succecful in your life and happy❤️
Small talk , your Explanation , of things, what to talk,& what not talk very good, Thanks for this
Hi Emma you make me less shy thank.you.are the best teacher for ever
Thank you so much teacher.
You are good teacher " I really benefit a lot thank you and gad bless you emma
So great your class go ahead I'm learning with you thank you so much
Love my beautiful teacher Emma!
Thank you Emma for your lesson about small talk.
Hi Teacher Emma, I like the way you teach, give examples and make us understand your lessons. I'm Hassan Sharif From Somalia. Thanks a lot.
Thank you teacher for your time
This is my first time in ur lessen and love it!!! Clear and easy, thank you!
@yesikaalvarez2154
3 жыл бұрын
This was great, thanks, I've been looking for "how to be more talkative" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Owarmey Proactive whisper - (just google it ) ? It is a great one off product for mastering small talk without the headache. Ive heard some awesome things about it and my buddy got excellent results with it.
you're a good teacher . I got it 100% . It's a pity , some english-speaking people don't talk that ..Distinctly , like you do .
Many many many thanks to you, I love your lessons and I understand more, you are my best teacher, I love your English, I'm so happy, thank's a lot
I love the clarity of the words you use, by the way over the years I have noticed that people are so afraid to talk about religion.
I don't understand why, your voice is clear and easy to listen for me
@cesarmendoza6524
3 жыл бұрын
neither do I bro
@andrezhurko8223
3 жыл бұрын
I agree. In spite of she speaks pretty fast, I completely understand her! I absolutely love her videos!
@edvaldovarela7751
3 жыл бұрын
I'm asking the same question....
@user-hqgh
3 жыл бұрын
A
@user-hqgh
3 жыл бұрын
@@edvaldovarela7751 a
I love your teaching way
Best teacher best lesson thanks a lot
Thank so much Emma for your English lesson. Your lesson very useful and helpful for me to improve my English skill.
Emma,, I love your all lessons! Your teaching method inspire us to study very interesting! Thank you 🙏! Love from Afghanistan 🇦🇫
@Peaking94
5 жыл бұрын
🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫
You are very god teacher, your teachig tecnic is very well, thanks.
Thank's Emma for this wonderful class
God bless you Emma you are the best teacher in the world ❤
Thank you teacher 💕💓
Thank you so much Emma, have a great day.
You are the best teacher i saw ever
Thank you Emma, I enjoy your classes.
Thank you so much my teacher you are the Best i wishe you all the Best and manyblessing
I like your teaching so much.
Wow this is such a great video! It’s not even about the English language. It’s the content. I can totally use these tips even in my native language!
Thanks my great teacher
I love your English teach. Sometimes i saw your videos thanks mam
It's outstanding lesson Emma. Many thanks.
Thank you so much, I start to learn english and I understand many of your lesson, I want to see more of this channel, thanks again
Thank you Emma!
Such a great lesson. Thank you Emma!
Excellent! Thank You!
I always watch videos about learning English. Almost everyday, I'm subscribed to a lots of English teacher here in KZread, it really helps me improve my grammar ang vocabulary. Thanks for all the videos ..so much helpful
What a wonderful speech!
What a wonderful lesson! Thank you Emma❤️it is very useful topic
Thank you for the valuable video.
thank you very much.
So sweet smile that's why I watching your lesson
Every time favourite Teacher 💖💖💖.
Thanks for so interesting video. I'm sure it will help me to improve my english, cause i'm so glad of studying english with you teacher.
Thanks a lot Emma
Ur the best english teacher i have ever seen
I appreciate for these tips. Even though I'm a small puppy, but prepring IELTS.
Thanks Emma you are the best I love you❣
Such a great video ı have seen just before! Thank you so much❤️
Thanks for your videos! You are a good teacher!
Thank you so much for small lesson and it is good to know. 👍
Small talks are a great chance to meet new people.
Really,it's beautiful,thank you so much teacher
I like your teaching
thank you teacher Emma, I'm very happy with you, i understand you very nice, you are a great teacher,, this is my first lesson with you and i hope don't last lesson, good luck for your life.
I got 100 out of 100!Thanks Emma, your lessons are always awesome!! It helps for many people learn language easily
The way to teach you is amazing
THANKS. YOU' RE SO MACH WELL
Generally speaking, Asians are shy and are silent people. It's not appropriate to have small talk with strangers, but I'm glad to learn about this great topic, Emma. I learned a lot about the dos and don'ts in America. Thanks.
love your lessons , especillay the whiteboard as i was sitting in the classroom to listen the real teacher in practical site
Excellent explanation. Thanks
I love your videos, i hope talk about one of this topics in the future to small talk.
Emma We Love You ... Thanks for Your Time
Wow! Thank you 💜
Thanks teacher for your efforts really I benefit a lot from this lesson
Thanks teacher to teach in easy way