Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Beginner - Book 1 > Lesson 29
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By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to start a conversation with someone.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to start a conversation with someone their know by using one or more of the techniques below. Then, the student should be able to carry on a conversation by asking some follow up questions.
1) ask about the weather
e.g. It’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it?
2) ask about sports
e.g. Do you like baseball?
3) ask about recent news
e.g. Did you hear about…?
4) ask about local foods
e.g. Have you tried Yakitori?
5) ask about travel plans
e.g. What are you doing this weekend?
Words and rules:
The student should be able to use tag questions e.g. It's hot, isn't it?
The student should be able to conjugate the present perfect tense.
Appropriateness:
Register: When starting a conversation with a friend a casual register is used.
Social rules: The student should know what topics to use and what topics not to use when starting a conversation.
Track #62
Hi there, I’m Tim. Do you like tennis?
Track #63
Hello, my name’s Brian. Have you ever tried kimchi? It’s from Korea.
Track #64
Hi, I’m Jessica. It’s so hot today, I need a cold drink.
Track #65
Hello, I’m Carol. Did you hear the news about the talking dog?
Because the lesson touches on the topic of conversation, you are welcome to introduce some of the following vocabulary if you like.
1) so (exp) - used to start a conversation
2) that reminds me (exp) - used to recall a memory
3) by the way (exp) - used to change the topic of conversation
4) Me too (exp) - used for mutual positive agreement
5) I don't either (exp) - used for mutual negative agreement
6) right? (exp) - used for confirmation
7) How's things? (exp) - used to ask about recent information
8) Long time no see (exp) - used to start a conversation when you haven't seen someone in a long time
9) Same old same old (exp) - used to state there have been no big changes in your life
10) What do you think of (exp) - used to ask for someone's opinion on something
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★★
Type: Phase introduction + Skit
Purpose: To teach the student how to change from uncomfortable topics
Method: Teach the student some expressions they can use if someone wants to talk about a
subject that makes them feel a little uncomfortable.
e.g.
A) How much is your salary?
B) I’d rather not say.
Extra questions you might like to ask in the lesson
- What’s up?
- What’s new?
- How have you been?
- What have you been up to?
- Have we met before?
- You’re Mark’s friend, right?
Let’s start
Label the pictures and state if they are good or bad small-talk topics.
Top line (L>R)
the weather / relationships / sports
Middle line (L>R)
Salary / recent news / politics
Bottom line (L>R)
the weather = good
sports = good
relationships = bad
recent news = good
local foods = good
politics = bad
religion = bad
travel plans = good
Salary = bad
Let’s try
Listen and write down the topic each person talks about.
Track #62
Hi there, I’m Tim. Do you like tennis?
= Sports
Track #63
Hello, my name’s Brian. Have you ever tried kimchi? It’s from Korea.
= Local food
Track #64
Hi, I’m Jessica. It’s so hot today, I need a cold drink.
= Weather
Track #65
Hello, I’m Carol. Did you hear the news about the talking dog?
= Recent news
Let’s practice
Use the information and the phrases below to practice starting a conversation.
Name: Lillian Rice
Relationship: Friend
Conversation topic: Weather
- great weather today
A) Hi. Lillian.
B) Hi Sam.
A) Great weather we are having today, isn’t it?
B) Yeah. It’s just amazing. I think I might go to the beach tomorrow.
A) Cool. What beach?
(continue)
Name: Jeff Sanders
Relationship: Classmate
Conversation topic: Sports
- baseball
A) Hi Jeff.
B) Hi Sam.
A) Say, Jeff, do you like baseball?
B) Yeah, I love baseball.
A) What team do you support?
B) The Giants.
A) Wow, me too. There is a game on this Sunday. Do you want to go?
B) Sure.
Name: Nicole Sawyer
Relationship: Friend of a friend
Conversation topic: Local food
- tempura
A) Hi Nicole.
B) Hi Ben.
A) Nicole, do you like Japanese food?
B) Yeah.
A) Have you tried tempura?
B) No, but I want to.
A) There is a great tempura restaurant near my house. Would you like to go sometime?
B) Sure.
Name: Brian Wells
Relationship: Co-worker
Conversation topic: Recent news
- new US President
A) Hi Brian.
B) Hi Sam.
A) Did you hear the news about the new US president?
B) Yeah.
A) What do you think?
B) I think it will be a good change.
A) Yeah. Me too.
Let’s speak
Complete the role-play
Same as above role-play