The document provides tips for starting friendly conversations, including introducing yourself, discussing universal topics like the weather or one's day, commenting on your surroundings, finding common interests, and asking questions. It also gives examples of questions to get to know new classmates and find things you have in common with the other person. The tips encourage keeping workplace conversations less personal and avoiding gossip. It suggests topics that are and aren't appropriate to discuss when starting a conversation.

1. A1.2 – UNIT 1
MAKING FRIENDS

2. STARTING FRIENDLY CONVERSATIONS
1. Introductions: Before you can get to know someone, it’s a good idea
to introduce yourself.
2. Universal Topics: Topics that are universal can be shared by almost anyone.
3. The Day: If you’re not sure what topic to talk about, or don’t have anything
interesting to say, you can just ask someone about their day, or you can talk
about yours.
4. The Workplace: Some conversations are only appropriate in a work
environment. Stay even less personal at work than in more casual places, and
avoid gossiping

3. STARTING FRIENDLY CONVERSATIONS
5. Observations: Some of the best small talk is about where you
and your conversation partner are located. Look around and find
something to comment on.
6. Common Interests: When you have something similar with your
speaking partner that means you have something to talk about.
7. Questions: You might have noticed by now that most of these
small talk examples have something in common: They ask
questions. A good way to start a conversation is to make a
comment, then ask a question.

4. KNOWING NEW CLASSMATES
1. What’s your name?
2. What does your name mean?
3. Are you named after someone?
4. Do you like your name?
5. What’s your major?
6. What do you do for a living?
7. How do you get to class?
8. What do you and your friends do
when you get together?

5. THINGS IN COMMON
Present of BE
- I’m a student.
I am too.
- I’m not a Marvel fan
I’m not either
Simple Present
- I live in Cúcuta
I do too.
- I don’t listen to reggaeton.
I don’t either.
Can
- I can ride horses
I can too
- I can’t cook lasagna.
I can’t either

6. STARTING A CONVERSATION
Your job Your family The weather Someone’s appearance
Your health Where you live Your problems Things you see around you
I would like to talk about ______________________________, because
_______________________________________
I wouldn’t like to talk about ____________________________, because
_________________________________________

7. LEST’S TALK
1. When do you make small talk? What do you talk about?
2. Do you think it’s odd when a stranger talks to you?
3. Are you a talkative person?
4. Do you think you talk too much?
5. Are you a good listener?
6. Are you usually the “talker” or the “listener” in a conversation?
7. What topics do you like to talk about?
8. What topics do you try to avoid