Making small talk and keeping the conversation going

Upper Intermediate

AIMS To learn how to: greet business partners and introduce yourself; make polite conversation; talk about your career; say goodbye

To practice: socializing in English

Lead in

· How often do you need to use English with visitors at work, or how often will you need to in the future?

· What do you find difficult about making ‘small talk’ in English?

Listening 1: Greeting people and making introductions

1 Listen to Monica Steiner, who works for a Swiss multinational company, being met by two American colleagues at an airport in New York, and answer the questions below. [8.1]

1 Has Monica met her colleagues before? How do you know?

2 What questions do they ask Monica?

2 In the dialogue, Monica, Michael and Siobhan use typical phrases for greetings and introductions. Listen again and write their responses in the table below. You will add more phrases later. [♫8.1]

3 Monica’s response ‘How do you do?’ can also be used as a greeting. What is the response? What is the difference between this greeting and Siobhan’s ‘How are you?’

4 Now add any other phrases you know for greetings, introductions and their responses to the table on the previous page.

Discussion

· In Russia, do people generally want to talk socially to new or potential business partners, to get to know a bit about them, before starting a business meeting or negotiation? why is (or isn’t) this considered important?

· Which countries and cultures do you think find social relations very important in business? Put the following countries in order. Which of them od you think spend the most time in small talk or socializing before a meeting, or before agreeing to do business?

· In Listening 1, Michael and Siobhan make small talk, asking Monica some social questions after welcoming her. Make a short list of topics you could talk about before getting down to business in the following situations, and think of one or two questions you could ask for each topic.

1 As soon as you meet someone (at an airport or at reception in your company)

2 Later, over a drink or a meal

Language focus

Making small talk and keeping the conversation going

1 Here is part of a typical small talk dialogue between a visitor and a colleague in a company in Dubai. Write the questions (1-5).

1 _______________________________________________________ ?

Oh no, I’ve been here quite often.

2 _______________________________________________________ ?

Late on Tuesday evening. The flight was delayed, unfortunately.

3 _______________________________________________________ ?

Only until Friday – I want to get home for the weekend.

4 _______________________________________________________ ?

At the Hyatt. It’s a very nice hotel.

5 _______________________________________________________ ?

Well, I was born in London, but I live in Brighton now.

2 When you are making small talk, you can keep the conversation going by asking more ‘open’ questions, or by adding a question to the end of your replies. The two colleagues above continue their conversation. Underline the phrases the visitor, Andrew, uses to keep the conversation going.

Andrew: Do you live in the city?

Rachid: No I live in Ajman.

Andrew: I haven’t been there. What's it like?

Rachid: It’s smaller than here, with old buildings and modern ones too, and a port.

Andrew: I like old buildings. And do you have a family?

Rachid: Yes, I’ve got two children: a girl and a boy. They’re 17 and 14.

Andrew: I’ve got two boys; they’re 12 and 9. And what do you do in your spare time?

Rachid: I love skydiving.

Andrew: Really? I’ve never tried that. Isn’t it dangerous?

Rachid: No, it’s fun – and you always have a parachute! So, are you doing anything later? Would you like to join me for dinner?

Andrew: I’m afraid I can’t make it tonight; I have another engagement. How about tomorrow?

Rachid: Yes, why don’t we leave early, and I can drive you to Ajman – I know a good seafood restaurant there.

2 What phrases does Andrew use to do the following?

1. Decline an invitation

2. Accept an invitation

Some general ‘rules’ for doing business in a foreign language:

Use relatively formal language at first. When you become familiar with the normal style of the people you're dealing with, you can try to copy it (and become less formal if they are).

Don't’ try to use very informal or colloquial language yourself, unless you know that you are good at it.

Be polite. Begin questions and requests with polite phrases: eg Excuse me … I’m sorry, … Please would you … ? Would you mind … ?

If you don’t understand or hear something, say so immediately: eg I’m sorry, I didn’t hear / catch / understand that. Sorry, could you repeat that, please?

Practice 1

You are going to practice social language in two situations: greeting a visitor at the reception desk, and making small talk after a meeting. Your teacher will give you a role to prepare. Use the language for greetings, introductions and small talk from Listening 1 and theLanguage focus.

Work in pairs. Use the role cards below.

Student A

Student B

Discussion

· Some cultures have very strong ‘rules’ of protocol or etiquette – what behavior is acceptable, which procedures are correct, etc.

In company culture, do you have formal rituals, such as bowing, or exchanging business cards, which show individuals’ status and other people’s acceptance of this status?

· Do you use first names, family names, or job titles (‘Mr President’) in meetings and negotiations?

· If your company doesn’t do these things, do you know any companies that do?

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 2099