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Topic 1 of 60

Discussion picture Discussion questions Key words

Picture warm-up

1. What do you see in this picture?
2. Who are these people, and what are they doing?
3. Does this look like your life here, or in your home country? How is it the same or different?

Discussion questions

1. Where are you from, and how long have you lived in the United States?
2. What do you usually say when you meet someone new in your country?
3. How do Americans greet each other differently from people in your culture?
4. Is it easy or hard for you to make small talk with strangers? Why?
5. What are good places to meet new people in your city?
6. What topics are safe to talk about when you first meet someone?
7. What topics should you avoid with someone you just met?
8. Do you prefer a handshake, a hug, a bow, or a kiss on the cheek? Why?
9. What is the meaning of your name, and does anyone have trouble saying it?
10. Tell us about a first impression that turned out to be wrong.
11. How do you remember people’s names after you meet them?
12. What do people often ask you when they learn you are from another country?
13. How do you feel when someone asks “How are you?” but doesn’t wait for an answer?
14. Have you ever met someone new at work, church, or your children’s school? How did it go?
15. What advice would you give a newcomer who wants to make connections in America?

Key words

Say the word, then read the example sentence out loud.

• introduce
  Let me introduce you to my coworker, Maria.
• greet
  We greet our neighbors every morning.
• handshake
  He gave me a firm handshake at the interview.
• small talk
  We made small talk about the weather.
• stranger
  It can be hard to talk to a stranger on the bus.
• acquaintance
  She is not a close friend, just an acquaintance.
• first impression
  A smile makes a good first impression.
• nickname
  My name is Alejandro, but my nickname is Alex.
• pronounce
  Could you tell me how to pronounce your last name?
• nice to meet you
  “Hi, I’m Sam.” “Nice to meet you, Sam!”
• originally
  I’m originally from Vietnam, but I live in Ohio now.
• background
  We all have different cultural backgrounds.
• in common
  We have a lot in common because we both love soccer.
• shy
  I was shy when I first moved here.
• outgoing
  My outgoing sister talks to everyone at parties.

Next topic: 2. Family

Topic chosen by comparing popular ESL conversation resources (see How these topics were chosen). Questions and example sentences are original to this collection. Translations are a guide and should be reviewed by a fluent speaker.