B1 – Small Talk

This B1 ESL lesson focuses on mastering small talk. Students will explore its importance, identify appropriate small talk questions, and watch a video on using follow-up questions to keep conversations flowing. They’ll practice crafting follow-up and open-ended questions, followed by interactive small talk exercises with a partner to apply what they’ve learned.

Lead-In, Small talk Questions

In the lead-in section, students will discuss the best ways to start a conversation with someone they’ve just met. They’ll explore the importance of small talk and common topics people choose when meeting for the first time. Afterward, students will review a set of questions, identify which are suitable for small talk, and explain their reasoning behind each choice.

Vocabulary Preview, Video, Questions

This part of the ESL lesson on Small talk focuses on vocabulary preview and video comprehension. Before watching the video “Conversation Hack: How to Ask 3 Follow-up Questions,” students will review eight key vocabulary words. They will then watch the video once or twice to understand how to use follow-up questions to improve conversations. After viewing, students will check their understanding by answering related questions. Additionally, students will practice both follow-up and open-ended questions to improve their conversational skills.

Speaking

The final part of the lesson emphasizes speaking and expressing thoughts on small talk. Students will pair up and use a slide with various topics to guide their conversation. They should cover as many topics as possible and ensure they speak for at least five minutes.