This document is a lesson plan for an English language course on business small talk conversations. The lesson focuses on talking about the weather and current events. It includes sample dialogues practicing small talk about rain and a recent earthquake, as well as exercises discussing appropriate small talk topics and phrases for business settings.

1. SkimaTalk Official Course
Business English for Intermediate Learners
Lesson 30 : Additional Office Small Talk Conversations

2. 2
Today’s Topics
1. Talking about the Weather
2. Talking about Current Events

3. 3
Exercise 1: Dialogue Practice
Dialogue: Before a Business Meeting
A How about this weather we’ve been having?
B Yeah, I can’t believe it! It’s been raining cats and dogs all week.
A
I know. I was stuck in traffic for three hours last night trying to get
home in the storm.
B That’s awful. Be careful getting back tonight.
A
Thanks. On the bright side, the forecast is showing sun for this
weekend!
Read the dialogue with your teacher. Student: A / Teacher: B

4. 4
Change the words in [brackets] and
read each sentence.
Practice
1
How about this [sunny weather] we’ve
been having?
2 I was stuck [on the metro] for [an hour].
3
On the bright side, [we all got home
safely].
Pronounce the phrases.
Useful Phrases
1 How about this ~ we’ve been having?
2 I was stuck ~ for ~
3 On the bright side, ~
Exercise 2: Phrase Practice

5. 5
Exercise 3: Discussion
Ask and answer questions about today’s topic.
• Is talking about the weather a good business small talk
conversation topic in your culture? Why or why not?
• Do you enjoy small talk conversations? Why or why not?
• Are there any expressions similar to “raining cats and dogs” in your
native language?

6. 6
Today’s Topics
1. Talking about the Weather
2. Talking about Current Events

7. 7
Exercise 4: Dialogue Practice
Dialogue: After a Business Meeting
Read the dialogue with your teacher. Student: A / Teacher: B
A
Did you catch the news this morning about the big
earthquake?
B I heard about that. I still can’t believe it.
A
Me either. What do you think is going to happen now? Is the
infrastructure in that region completely destroyed?
B
I’m not sure. I know that a lot of people died and many more
were injured. I’m sure we’ll get more information as the day
goes on.
A
Is it true that the president was out of the country when it
happened?

8. 8
Change the words in [brackets] and
read each sentence.
Practice
1
Did you catch the news about [the big
merger]?
2
I heard [many people in the company lost
their jobs].
3 Is it true that [the CEO is resigning]?
Pronounce the phrases.
Useful Phrases
1 Did you catch the news about ~ ?
2 I heard ~
3 Is it true that ~ ?
Exercise 5: Phrase Practice

9. 9
Exercise 6: Discussion
Ask and answer questions about today’s topic.
• Do you think it is appropriate to discuss any news story in a business
setting? Why or why not?
• Are there any business news stories that you are currently following or
reading about?

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End of Lesson
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