{"title":"Small Talk: Start, Keep, End","intro":"Learn how a conversation with a stranger at a work event is built — how to start it, keep it going, and end it politely.","level":"B1","generation_meta":{"pipeline_mode":"staged","stages":{"outline":"deepseek:deepseek-chat","blocks":"deepseek:deepseek-chat","repair":"deepseek:deepseek-chat","judge":"deepseek:deepseek-chat"},"flow":"detailed","topic":"Small talk and networking","context":"Small talk and networking: how to start, keep and end a conversation with a stranger at a work event. B1, adults","has_context":true,"lesson_type":"speaking","level":"B1","duration_min":60,"speaking_share":"speech_focus","student_context":"Small talk and networking: how to start, keep and end a conversation with a stranger at a work event. B1, adults","template_id":"speaking.v1"},"blocks":[{"id":"b0","type":"warm_up","content":"

Which picture best describes you when you have to talk to a stranger, and why?

","order":0,"warm_up_mode":"meme_grid","meme_items":[{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-028.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0b/09/67/0b09671dd5f7c9343af5209c69c66f4d.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-032.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-017.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-019.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/fa/cd/a5/facda53f49176a18bc559bdfee28671f.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-002.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-037.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/736x/eb/88/84/eb8884745460e33211e3891231380da1.jpg"}]},{"id":"b1","type":"open_question","content":"

Answer the questions.

When was the last time you were at an event, party or conference where you did not know many people?
What did you do — did you start talking to someone, or did you wait for someone to talk to you?
What is the hardest part for you in English: starting a conversation, keeping it going, or ending it?

","order":1,"title":"Your experience","image_search_queries":["conference networking break people talking photo","networking event conversation","business event room illustration"],"image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/439e3f035948439198272fd6687927f3.jpeg"],"image_source_urls":["https://live.staticflickr.com/8187/8107134068_3bda32920a_b.jpg"]},{"id":"b4","type":"open_question","content":"

You are at a conference. You see Alex, a person you have never met, standing alone near the coffee table. Approach Alex and have a short conversation: start it, keep it going, and end it politely.

Try it without any help for 1–2 minutes. Use your own words.

Think about: what you will say first, what you will ask, and how you will say goodbye.

","order":2,"title":"Try it yourself","image_search_queries":["conference attendee standing at coffee table photo","coffee break conference","business conversation illustration"],"image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/13b0bea01ebe4e5795e97b384fb6e022.jpeg"],"image_source_urls":["https://live.staticflickr.com/3137/3009102915_cd29ed072c_b.jpg"]},{"id":"block-1788166356465-ta356","type":"reading","content":"

Read the dialogue with your teacher. You are Marta.

Marta: Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Marta.
Alex: Hi Marta, I'm Alex. Nice to meet you.
Marta: So, what brings you here?
Alex: My company sent me. I work in logistics — mostly software for delivery companies.
Marta: Oh really? How long have you been doing that?
Alex: About four years now. Before that I was in sales, but I got tired of travelling.
Marta: I know what you mean. I travelled a lot last year and it was exhausting. Speaking of which, are you staying for the dinner tonight?
Alex: I am, yes. Are you?
Marta: I am. Listen, it was great talking to you — I need to catch up with a colleague before the next talk. Are you on LinkedIn? Let's keep in touch.
Alex: Sure, here's my card. See you at dinner.

\n\nQuestions on the text:\n1. Where does Marta start the conversation, where does she keep it going, and where does she end it? Find the three parts.\n2. Marta asks two questions about Alex's answer, not about a new topic. Which ones?\n3. Where does Marta change the topic? What phrase does she use?\n4. How does Marta explain why she is leaving? Why is that better than just saying goodbye?","order":3,"title":"Model dialogue"},{"id":"b5","type":"theory","content":"**Meaning:**

Small talk is a short, friendly conversation with someone you do not know well. At a work event it always has three parts, and each part has its own phrases. If you know the three parts, you always know what to say next.

\n\n**Form:**

Start: greeting + a question about the place, the event or the moment — never about the person's private life.
Keep: react to the answer, then ask one more question about the same thing. React → ask, react → ask.
End: say it was nice, give a short reason why you are leaving, offer to stay in touch.

\n\n**Examples:**

Start — when you approach someone who is standing alone:

Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm [name].
Is this your first time at this event?
So, what brings you here?
The coffee queue is long today, isn't it?

Keep — right after the other person answers:

Oh really? How long have you been doing that?
That's interesting, tell me more about that.
I know what you mean, I had the same problem last year.
Same here, actually. I work in [field] too.

Change the topic — when one topic is finished but you want to continue:

Speaking of which, did you see the talk this morning?
That reminds me — are you staying for the dinner?

End — when you want to leave, or the conversation is slowing down:

It was great talking to you.
I'm sorry, I need to catch up with a colleague before the next talk.
I'll let you get back to it.
Let's keep in touch — are you on LinkedIn?

\n\n**Usage:**

At a work event a direct question can sound too strong. Add a softener at the beginning:

What do you do? → Can I ask what you do?
Where are you from? → Do you mind if I ask where you're from?
How do you know the host? → So, how do you know the host?

\n\n**Note:**

What you can and cannot ask about?
Safe: the event itself, the city, travel, food, the weather, work in general.
Risky: salary, age, family status, politics, religion, health.

\n\n**Common mistake:**

We say make small talk, not do small talk.
Nice to meet you is only for the first time. If you have met before: Great to see you again.
Not I leave now — say I'm sorry, I need to go.
One-word answers kill the conversation. Not Yes. but Yes, and I actually came last year too.

","order":4,"title":"How small talk works","target_concept":"functional phrases for starting, maintaining, and ending small talk"},{"id":"block-1788166991186-mbsan","type":"open_question","content":"

In each situation the conversation is about to die. Say out loud what you would say — one or two sentences.

You ask a question and the person answers \"Yes.\" and says nothing more.
Nobody has said anything for five seconds.
You have been talking for two minutes and you have forgotten the person's name.
Two people are talking next to you and you want to join them.
You need to leave in one minute, but the person is still telling you about their project.
The person asks you something you do not want to answer — how much you earn.

HELP — use only if you get stuck

What's the best thing you've seen here so far?
How did you get into that?
This place is huge, isn't it?
Have you tried the coffee here?
I'm sorry, I'm terrible with names — could you tell me yours again?
Sorry to interrupt — do you mind if I join you?
I'd love to hear more, but I have to run. Can we continue over email?
I'd rather not talk about that — but tell me about your team instead.

","order":5,"title":"What do you say?"},{"id":"b3","type":"media","content":"

Which of the tips do you find the most useful, and why?
Which tips seem less useful, and why?

","order":6,"title":"Watch the video","media_type":"video","search_queries":["small talk at a networking event","small talk in real conversation","native speakers making small talk"],"purpose":"usage_example","target_concept":"functional phrases for starting, maintaining, and ending small talk","url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiAZUeHD-Ng","_video_title":"Master Networking at Your First Business Event | Business English Conversation Lesson","images":["https://i.ytimg.com/vi/devFLykjU9Y/hqdefault.jpg"],"media_purpose":"topic_context","media_found":true,"_search_kind":"C","_video_channel":"Toomey Business English","_video_description":"Welcome to our Business English series - \"Mastering Socialising at Work\"! \n\nIn this episode (1) titled 'Crack your First Event Social,' immerse yourself in the dynamic world of corporate networking as we follow the engaging interaction between colleagues Michelle, Jen, and John during their first encounter at a work retreat. \n\nUncover valuable insights on breaking the ice, navigating small talk, and building connections in a professional setting. Join us in this immersive lesson filled with practical language skills for effective workplace communication.\n\n📥 Access The Complete Guide to 300 Essential Business English Phrases for Effective Office Communication!\nGet your FREE eBook here: \nhttps","_video_kind":"B"},{"id":"b8","type":"open_question","content":"

You are at the evening mixer. Priya, a senior manager you have wanted to meet, is standing alone. You have 2 minutes before the next talk starts. Approach Priya, start the conversation, keep it going through at least two topic changes, and end politely while exchanging contact details.

Use at least five phrases from the lesson.

Useful phrases:

Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm [your name].
That's interesting, tell me more.
We both seem to care about [topic].
I'm sorry, I need to wrap up, but let's keep in touch.
Here's my business card.

","order":8,"title":"Role-play: high stakes","image_search_queries":["woman networking at evening event photo","evening cocktail event","business networking illustration"],"image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/325f999493f446acb09de4b23a51a88b.jpg"]},{"id":"block-1788167594671-kiqw6","type":"open_question","content":"

You will have five short conversations with your teacher — different places, different people. After each one your teacher gives you one thing to fix. Use it in the next conversation.

Round 1 — In the lift. 30 seconds.
You are going up to the 14th floor with someone from another department. You have never spoken to them. The conversation ends when the doors open.

Round 2 — Before the meeting. 60 seconds.
You are waiting for a client meeting to start. The other person is looking at their phone and answers in one word. Keep the conversation alive for a full minute.

Round 3 — Company dinner. 2 minutes.
You are sitting next to someone from a partner company. Change the topic at least twice and end with an offer to keep in touch.

Round 4 — On a plane. 90 seconds.
The person in the next seat starts talking to you. You are happy to chat for a minute, but then you want to read. Start the conversation properly, and then end it politely — you still have four hours together, so do not be rude.

Round 5 — At a friend's party. 2 minutes.
You know nobody except the host. You start talking to a stranger in the kitchen. Find at least one thing you have in common, change the topic once, and end with an offer to stay in touch.

","order":7,"title":"Small talk marathon"},{"id":"b9","type":"homework","content":"

Choose one of the homework options.

Have one real conversation before the next lesson.
Talk to someone you do not normally talk to: a colleague from another team, a neighbour, someone in a queue, a friend of a friend at a party. Use the three parts — start, keep it going, end it.
If you cannot do it in English, do it in your own language, but watch the structure: how you started, how you kept it going, and how you ended it.
Then send your teacher a voice message, 60 seconds, answering:
- Where was it and who was the person?
- What did you say first?
- Which part was the hardest — starting, keeping it going, or ending?
Want to practise in English first?
Open the voice mode of any AI assistant and paste this:
\"You are Alex, someone I have just met at a work conference. Talk to me for two minutes. Reply naturally, ask me questions, and do not help me. At the end, tell me three phrases I used well and one thing to fix.\"
Do it twice — the second time change the place: a party, a plane, a lift.

","order":9,"title":"Homework","image_search_queries":["person typing a email at home desk photo","writing email laptop","follow-up email illustration"],"image_type":"visual_support"}]}