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The talking tree – Lesson planTeacher’s notes

AimCreate a bank of conversation topics for small talk and set up realistic role-plays

WhatFinding appropriate subjects to talk about when socializing

Interaction

Pair work

1: 1Complete your own tree, then compare your answers with those given by your student

What you need

One tree for each student

Preparation

Photocopy the tree to provide one for each student.

Here’s how

1. Ask your students about the small talk they have in different contexts. For instance, when arriving at an airport, what will they talk about with the person who collects them? Make a list of these ideas on the board.

2. Now the students think about other contexts. Give them a ‘talking tree’ each. Draw their attention to the four contexts here: a sports event, sightseeing, a musical event or theatre, and a meal. Ask them to think about what they might talk about in each of these situations, e. g. at a sports event: how the team have been performing that season. Let them write these different topics on the leaves of that branch.

3. When they finish, students compare their trees with other students. This activity is good for setting up realistic role-plays – tell them that they are in one of the four situations and ask them to have a conversation mentioning the topics on their branches.

The talking tree