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Speaking Small Talks

The document outlines various small talk activities aimed at enhancing speaking techniques, categorized by skill focus and setting. Activities include icebreakers, role-playing scenarios, listening drills, group dynamics, and real-world applications, each designed to build confidence, active listening, and conversational fluency. Key tips for facilitators emphasize avoiding controversial topics, using timers, and recording sessions for review.

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lamichi boudjemaa
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0 views15 pages

Speaking Small Talks

The document outlines various small talk activities aimed at enhancing speaking techniques, categorized by skill focus and setting. Activities include icebreakers, role-playing scenarios, listening drills, group dynamics, and real-world applications, each designed to build confidence, active listening, and conversational fluency. Key tips for facilitators emphasize avoiding controversial topics, using timers, and recording sessions for review.

Uploaded by

lamichi boudjemaa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Here are **detailed small talk

activities** designed to reinforce


speaking techniques,
categorized by skill focus and
setting. These exercises draw
from expert-recommended
methods to build confidence,
active listening, and
conversational fluency:

---

### **1. Icebreaker & Common


Ground Activities**
**Activity: "Both of Us" (Finding
Commonalities)**
- **Instructions**:
1. Each participant writes
classmates' names on a
worksheet.
2. They mingle, asking small
talk questions (e.g., *"Do you like
hiking?"*) to find one shared
interest per person.
3. When a commonality is found
(e.g.,
*"We both love Italian food"*),
they note it down.
4. Debrief by sharing
discoveries with the group.
- **Skills**: Question formulation,
active listening, rapport-building.
- **Source**:

**Variation: "FORM Technique


Mixer"**
- Use the **FORM framework**
(Family/Friends, Occupation,
Recreation, Motivation) to guide
questions. For example:
- *"What’s your favorite
weekend activity?"* (Recreation)
- *"What inspired you to pursue
your current job?"* (Motivation)
- Rotate partners every 3
minutes.
- **Source**:

---
### **2. Role-Playing
Scenarios**
**Activity: Networking Event
Simulation**
- **Setup**: Assign roles (e.g.,
entrepreneur, artist, recruiter)
with secret conversation goals
(e.g., *"Steer the talk toward
travel"*).
- **Task**: Participants mingle,
using open-ended questions to
uncover others’ topics while
subtly guiding the dialogue.
- **Debrief**: Guess each other’s
goals and discuss tactics.
- **Skills**: Topic steering, follow-
up questions, body language.
- **Source**:
**Activity: "Elevator Pitch + Small
Talk"**
1. Give a 30-second self-
introduction.
2. Transition to small talk using a
current event (e.g., *"Have you
tried the new café downtown?"*).
3. Partner responds using echo
questions (*"Oh, you like their
coffee? What’s your usual
order?"*).
- **Skills**: Flow maintenance,
echoing, natural transitions.
- **Source**:

---

### **3. Listening & Response


Drills**
**Activity: "Common Responses
Game"**
- **Instructions**:
1. Draw cards with small talk
prompts (e.g., *"Nice weather
today!"*).
2. Players respond naturally
(e.g., *"Yes, perfect for a walk!"*).
Points for originality.
3. Bonus points for using "echo
words" (*"Weather? I heard rain’s
coming tomorrow."*).
- **Skills**: Quick thinking,
cultural norms (e.g., weather
chats).
- **Source**:

**Activity: "Silence & Body


Language Practice"**
- Pairs converse for 2 minutes,
then pause for 10 seconds of
intentional silence.
- Observe nonverbal cues
(leaning in, eye contact) during
pauses.
- Discuss how silence can feel
natural.
- **Source**:

---

### **4. Group Dynamics &


Storytelling**
**Activity: "One-Word Story
Chain"**
- In a circle, each person adds
one word to build a collaborative
story.
- Forces attention to others’
contributions and creative linking.
- **Skills**: Turn-taking,
cohesion.
- **Source**:
**Activity: "Hot Seat"**
1. One participant shares a
personal anecdote (e.g., *"My
worst travel mishap"*).
2. Others interrupt politely with
follow-ups (*"Wait—how did you
fix your passport issue?"*).
3. Debrief on balancing
interruptions vs. engagement.
- **Skills**: Active listening,
respectful interruptions.
- **Source**:

---

### **5. Real-World Application**


**Activity: "Field Mission: Coffee
Shop Chat"**
- **Task**: Strike up a 3-minute
conversation with a stranger
using a
scripted opener (e.g., *"That
book looks interesting—what’s it
about?"*).
- **Debrief**: Share what worked
(e.g., mirroring body language)
and challenges.
- **Skills**: Courage, adaptability.
- **Source**:

**Activity: "Current Events


Roundtable"**
- Prep: Read news headlines
beforehand.
- Discuss in groups using open-
ended questions (*"How do you
think this policy affects small
businesses?"*).
- **Skills**: Topic preparation,
opinion articulation.
- **Source**:

---

### **Key Tips for Facilitators**:


- **Avoid controversial topics**
(politics, religion) unless in
advanced groups .
- **Use timers** to keep activities
structured (e.g., 2-minute
conversations) .
- **Record & review**: Film role-
plays to analyze body language
and filler words .

For printable worksheets and


scripts, refer to
[EverydaySpeech](https://everyd
ayspeech.com) or [Teach-This]
(https://www.teach-this.com) .

Let me know if you’d like


adaptations for specific settings
(e.g., business vs. social)!

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