small talk for introverts

This activity addresses the culture that is behind everyday social interactions - what we call small talk, or cocktail hour talk. What is appropriate? How is someone "good" at small talk? 

Objectives: 

1.     Students actively watch “Small Talk for Introverts” video and take summary notes and outline suggestions presented in the video for norms of interaction for introductions and early conversation.

2.    Students discuss the norms for small talk in native language among native language speakers.

3.    Students participate in group discussion about norms of small talk and appropriate topics for small talk in English speaking cultures.

4.    Students diagram differences between cultures regarding appropriate topics for small talk.

Students will watch the video “Small Talk for Introverts” two times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFsgTa17Xwo)

Student will be asked to take general notes on the first watch, and the second watch they must outline suggestions in the video for small talk in English (the speaker gives 3 summary points in the end). Teacher will also encourage students to write down ideas that come to students about small talk in their native language and anytime they disagree with the narrator (teaching objective #1). Students will group up for 5-10 minutest to compare notes and discuss what they saw in the video, compiling ideas of what small talk looks like in their own culture (teaching objective #2). The teacher will ask students to share what they discussed and begin a discussion about “what is small talk”. A list of questions that can help further the discussion are as follows:

What is small talk? What kind of small talk is “normal” or “typical” in your culture (teaching objective #2)? What topics are culturally appropriate for small talk? Who do you skip small talk with? Can you think of a time that you felt uncomfortable making small talk with someone? Someone from a different country or background than you?

Is there anything in this video you disagree with or makes you feel uncomfortable? How do you think the speaker of the video communicates cultural norms of interaction in English (teaching objective #3)? How would you handle small talk with someone who you would call Ud. in English?

Students will be encouraged to debate and discuss differences between family/regional cultures. Any experience students have speaking with native speakers should be highlighted, and the teacher can provide examples from personal experience.

The class will later diagram the following topics between appropriate/maybe appropriate/inappropriate in their home culture. Then students will make a comparative diagram in the original groups, exploring which topics they believe are appropriate/maybe appropriate/inappropriate in United States culture. Groups will compare their diagrams, highlighting the topics that are appropriate in one but not in the other (teaching objective #4).

Topics- Appropriate or not for small talk

The death penalty

The weather

Your family’s financial situation

Your health issues

Latest movies

Your favorite band

The correct political party

Problems you have with your partner/significant other

A product you would like to sell to everybody

Gardening

The local football/basketball team

What you did over the weekend

Suggestions for where you should go on holiday for spring break

Suggestions for when you should ask your boss for a raise

The Pope’s recent statement

Teachers –what you like

Teachers – what you don’t like

Human cloning

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