Learn about good topics for small talk in Canada
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THIS WEEK’S FEATURED POST
Week of Feb. 2/26
This simplified version of information in Canada’s citizenship guide focuses on several of the first Europeans to explore Canada.
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Lesson plan overview
| Task | To learn about expected topics for small talk in Canada (and to practice some responses). |
| CLB level | CLB Stage I (CLB 1-3) |
| Delivery method | Online |
| Class size | 10-15 students (vary the number of activities according to your class size) |
| Estimated time | 1.5 hours (depending on class size) |
| CLB Skills and Competencies | Speaking: Interacting with others Sharing information Listening: Interacting with others Comprehending information Reading: Comprehending information |
| Language focus | Learn the vocabulary needed to understand this topic. Use the appropriate grammar structures and vocabulary to respond personally to the reflection questions. (Encourage students to respond in full sentences.) |
| Cultural focus | Students will discuss cultural differences in small talk (e.g., the need for small talk at all, topics, etc.) |
| Specific task learning objectives | Students will understand topics that are suitable (and unsuitable) for small talk in Canada. Students will practice responding to basic small-talk questions. |
| ESL Directions original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities? | This lesson includes original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities. |
| Resource attribution | ESL Directions original resources are marked below with an asterisk (*). Feel free to use these, but please give credit to ESL Directions. |
Lesson plan
Warm-up: Introducing the topic and defining our terms
- Today, we’re going to talk about good topics for small talk in Canada.
- What is small talk?
- What are some good small talk topics in Canada?
Skill-building activities
FEATURED CONTENT
- Vocabulary flashcards*
- Listen to the vocabulary again* 🔊 (Ask students to pay attention to the pronunciation and meaning of the words.)
- Small talk topics 🎥 (Let’s do some more vocabulary review with this short video.)
Skill-using tasks
- Common small talk questions* 🔊
- Sample answers to small talk questions* (Match the questions with some possible answers.)
- Identify good and bad topics for small talk*
Assessment/review tasks
Reflection questions
- What are three words or phrases that you learned today?
- Have you tried making small talk in Canada? How did that go for you?
- What are some good topics for small talk in Canada?
- What are some inappropriate topics for small talk in Canada? Are these topics the same in your home country?
- Canadians make a lot of small talk. Why do you think we like small talk so much?
- Do people like to make small talk in your home country?
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ESL teacher, movie buff, constant reader, and former editor and communications pro. Now a graduate of the Teaching English as a Second Language program at the University of Manitoba and an ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
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