Introduction to EnglishIntroduction to English

Day 2 – Introductions and Small Talk.

What are they talking What are they talking about?about?

In many Western societies, including the United States, a person who does not maintain ‘good eye contact’ is regarded as being slightly suspicious, or a ‘shifty’ character. Americans unconsciously associate people who avoid eye contact as unfriendly, insecure, untrustworthy, inattentive and impersonal. However, in contrast, Japanese children are taught in school to direct their gaze at the region of their teachers Adam’s apple or tie knot, and, as adults, Japanese lower their eyes when speaking to a superior, a gesture of respect.

Cont…

Latin American cultures, as well as some African cultures, such as Nigeria, have longer looking time, but prolonged eye contact from an individual of lower status is considered disrespectful. In the US, it is considered rude to stare – regardless of who is looking at whom. In contrast, the polite Englishman is taught to pay attention to a speaker, listen carefully, and to blink his eyes to let the speaker know he or she has been understood as well as heard. Americans signal interest and comprehension by bobbing their heads and grunting.

Cont…

A widening of the eyes can also be interpreted differently, depending on circumstances and culture. Take, for instance, the case of an American and a Chinese discussing the terms of a proposed contact. Regardless of the language in which the proposed contract is carried out, the US negotiator may interpret a Chinese person’s widened eyes as an expression of astonishment instead of as a danger signal (its true meaning) of polietly expressed anger.

Discussion…Discussion…How do people in the United States

react in this articleEnglishman?Japanese Children?Japanese people when they lower

their eyes?Looking at a long time at someone?Widening eyes in Chinese culture?

Body LanguageBody LanguageSome studies show that your body

language can show 90% of your meaning.

This can include:◦ Distance from the other person◦ Eye contact◦ Hand gestures◦ Physical contact◦ Humor◦ Presents (when to open)◦ General rules of talking

Cross-Culture BusinessCross-Culture BusinessWhat should someone do to prepare for

meeting people of another country?Study Language pointsStudy use of body languageCuisuine (food)Business culturePoliticsEconomicsCultureDress

Listening SkillsListening SkillsWhat was being discussed?What are some items he needs?How was the conversation?Anything they can do to be

better?What cross-cutural things was

Klaus good at discussing?

How to introduce yourself to How to introduce yourself to the secretarythe secretary Introduction

◦ Name◦ Company◦ Title

Person you are meeting◦ Title◦ Full name

State the reason you are there (optional)◦ Why◦ When◦ Where

Patiently wait / Answer any other questions

Practice…Practice…Find a partner and practice the

same outline with someone else in the class.

Take about 5 minutes to practice.

Small TalkSmall TalkSmall talk is discussing thing that are not

necessary in your business work, but helps you to gain a relationship with the person you are speaking with

Important to keep the conversation flowing◦ No more than 3 seconds

silence in the conversation.◦ Listen carefully for interesting

points that may give you insight on the person.

◦ If you feel that the conversation is getting boring, politely move on with another subject or another person.

Listening…Listening…Listen to this first small talk and tell

me what is wrong?◦Manager: Is this your first visit here?◦Hemper: No, in fact the first time I

came was for a trade fair. We began our

Southeast Asian operations here at the 1995 exhibition.

◦Manager: Shall we have a look round the plant before lunch?

TaboosTaboosTaboo is something not

acceptable in one culture but okay in another.

Be careful of Taboo subjectsSome things are Taboo

everywhere.

Are these Taboo in the Are these Taboo in the West?West?FamilyNewsYour CountryReligionClothesHealthPoliticsSexSports

WeatherFood & DrinkPeople you both

knowHow is work?The city you are

fromYour holiday plansYour hotelIncome

HomeworkHomeworkThree parts

◦Part one is filling in the blanks about the conversation

◦Part two is fixing the English of the comments found in Small talk

◦Part three is answering questions as if you were talking to someone.