Discussing topics

Do you agree or disagree with the following topics?

Explain your reasons and discuss in pairs:

1. Young graduates today don’t gain much from work experience.
2. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is such an important tool that those who use it will replace those who don’t.
3. Self-employment is more stimulating than working for a large organisation.
4. Working from home makes life easier for employees.
5. Social networks have rapidly become communication tools for many companies. They will provide even further development for business in the future.
6. Business is a combination of war and sport.
7. In today's business world, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
8. Innovation is different from invention.
9. In the future most companies will be online companies. There will be fewer offices and more call centres.
10. Anyone who has contact with a customer is a salesperson - and that includes the person who answers the phone!
11. Small companies can adapt more quickly to changes in the market place than large corporations.
12. Companies become more efficient as they grow in size.
13. More time is wasted during meetings than during any other business activity.
14. It is impossible to have a successful career and a happy family life. You have to choose one or the other.
15. It is impossible for young people to find a (good) job today without help from someone.
16. Qualifications are more important today than ever before.
17. A successful salesperson knows the strengths and weaknesses of competing products
18. Small companies cannot offer employees opportunities for promotion.
19. There is more creativity in multinational companies than in small firms.
20. Some companies do not adhere to proper rules of conduct.
21. In the business world today, people are more stressed out than they were 30 years ago.
22. It is dishonest for companies to avoid paying income tax in the countries where they are established.
23. Men and women are not always treated equally in the workplace. Women often face discrimination.
24. Whenever possible, employees should be allowed to choose their own working hours.
25. Technology has changed business methods to the detriment of human relations.

26. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy your job or not as long as it's a well-paid job.

27. Young graduates today don’t gain much from work experience.

28. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is such an important tool that those who use it will replace those who don’t.

29. Self-employment is more stimulating than working for a large organisation.

30. Working from home makes life easier for employees.

31. Social networks have rapidly become communication tools for many companies.
    They will provide even further development for business in the future.

32. Business is a combination of war and sport.

33. In today's business world, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

34. Innovation is different from invention.

35. In the future most companies will be online companies.
    There will be fewer offices and more call centres.

36. Anyone who has contact with a customer is a salesperson - and that includes the person who answers the phone!

37. Small companies can adapt more quickly to changes in the market place than large corporations.

38. Companies become more efficient as they grow in size.

39. More time is wasted during meetings than during any other business activity.

40. It is impossible to have a successful career and a happy family life.
    You have to choose one or the other.

41. It is impossible for young people to find a (good) job today without help from someone.

42. Qualifications are more important today than ever before.

43. A successful salesperson knows the strengths and weaknesses of competing products

44. Small companies cannot offer employees opportunities for promotion.

45. There is more creativity in multinational companies than in small firms.

46. Some companies do not adhere to proper rules of conduct.

47. In the business world today, people are more stressed out than they were 30 years ago.

48. It is dishonest for companies to avoid paying income tax in the countries where they are established.

49. Men and women are not always treated equally in the workplace.
    Women often face discrimination.

50. Whenever possible, employees should be allowed to choose their own working hours.

51. Technology has changed business methods to the detriment of human relations.

52. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy your job or not as long as it's a well-paid job.

Small talk

 Starting a conversation

In most English-speaking settings people often use soft openers, which are comments or questions about the situation, yourself or the environment. These  help to create a comfortable and friendly tone before moving on to discussing a deeper topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEZkN0_6R1c

To start conversations, try using phrases like:

In the workplace

• How was your weekend?

• How’s your day / week going so far?

• How’re things with you?

At social or networking events

• What brings you here today?

• Have you been here / to one of these events before?

• How do you know …(name of person/client)?

Casual encounters

• Lovely weather today, isn’t it?

• Have you had a busy day / morning so far?

• I love your jacket / coat / hat – where did you get it?

The goal of English small talk phrases isn’t to exchange deep information, but to establish warmth and mutual interest. It can set the tone for more meaningful interactions later.

Safe small talk topics

It’s important to choose topics that are positive and not controversial (never politics, religion or anything that may make you not feel comfortable). Once you get used to making small talk, you’ll be able to recognise appropriate small talk topics.

Some topic examples are:

• The weather: An easy, straightforward topic to engage with your environment. It’s especially popular in the UK where most people’s small talk refers to the weather.
  Example: It’s quite chilly today, isn’t it?

• Weekend plans: A great way to start a Monday or a Friday conversation, especially with colleagues at work.
  Example: What did you get up to at the weekend? Any nice plans for the weekend?

• Travel plans: A good option if you’re speaking to someone you don’t know very well.
  Example: Have you been anywhere interesting recently? Do you have any holiday plans this year?

• Hobbies or interests: Try introducing your own hobbies and interests to see if you have anything in common with the person you’re speaking to.
  Example: I’ve just started running again and it’s harder than I remember! Do you do any sports?

• Entertainment: A nice option to speak about topical things.
  Example: Have you seen the new series of [name] on Netflix?

Another way to help you remember small talk topics is to follow the FORD framework:

• Family (general, not too personal)

• Occupation (work, studies, projects)

• Recreation (sports, hobbies, interests, free time)

• Dreams (travel goals, future plans)

Generally, the best approach is to keep the conversation light and positive and actively listening and allowing time for turn-taking.

Topics to avoid

As well as safe topics, there are also certain small talk topics that are best left out of conversations, especially with people you don’t know. We’ve mentioned a couple (politics, religion), but you should also aim to stay away from talking about money, personal beliefs, controversial current events, health or other medical issues.

Useful phrases and techniques to keep the conversation flowing

One of the top things to remember is to show that you’re actively listening, and to show genuine interest in what the speaker is saying. You can do this by using some of the following phrases:

• That sounds interesting / fun.

• Really? How was that / How did that go?

• Tell me more about (that).

• I can imagine that it was great / challenging / interesting.

• What happened after that?

These English small talk phrases invite the other person to expand on what they’re saying, and to make the conversation feel natural and engaging.

Follow-up techniques

Asking follow-up questions keeps the conversation moving and shows that you’re interested in what the person has to say. For example:

Person 1: How was your weekend?
Person 2: Great thanks. I went hiking.
Person 1: That sounds fun. Where did you go? OR Do you go hiking often?

Ending a conversation

Just as important as starting a conversation is knowing how to end a conversation well. This can also help you feel less awkward about initiating a conversation in the first place.

To wrap up an exchange, you could say:

• Well, it’s been lovely chatting with you.

• I should let you get back to it / work.

• I hope you enjoy the rest of your day / week.

• Let’s catch up again soon.

• I´m sorry but I have to go now.

By ending a conversation in one of these ways you don’t suddenly disrupt the flow of the talk and you leave a more polite impression.