Purpose
- Learn how to start a short conversation, keep it going, and end it politely.
- Learn simple “backchannel” words (short reactions that show you are listening).
- Learn easy connectors (and, but, so) to make your ideas flow.
Outcomes (can-do)
- I can start a chat and ask simple follow-up questions.
- I can react while someone speaks (uh-huh, right, I see) and keep the talk friendly.
- I can change topic gently and end the chat politely.
Enabling grammar and connectors (quick notes)
- and joins similar ideas: I like coffee and tea.
- but shows contrast: I like coffee, but I don’t like tea.
- so shows result: I’m busy, so let’s meet tomorrow.
- there is/there are: There is a café near here. There are two cafés on this street.
- frequency adverbs (before the main verb; after be): I usually work till 5. She is often late.
- like/love + -ing: I like cooking. He loves reading.
Phrase bank (use these as frames; replace with your idea)
Openers and check-ins
- Hi/Hello! How are you? How’s it going?
- Nice to meet you. I’m [Name].
- Long time no see! How have you been?
- How’s your day so far?
- How’s the weather today?
Keeping it going (follow-ups and reactions)
- Really? Oh, nice. That’s great.
- Sounds good. I see. I get it.
- How about you? What about your [weekend/job/hobby]?
- Tell me more about that.
- What do you usually do on [day/at the weekend]?
Backchannels (show you listen; keep them short)
- Uh-huh. Right. Yeah. I see. Got it.
- Mm-hmm. OK. Sure.
Small talk content frames (easy ideas to extend)
- I usually [verb+ing]/[verb] on [day]: I usually cook on Sundays.
- I like/love [noun/-ing]: I love hiking. I like jazz music.
- There is/are [place/thing] near [place]: There is a park near my home.
- My plan is to [verb]: My plan is to study English tonight.
Topic shift and ending politely
- By the way, [new topic].
- Speaking of [topic], [new idea].
- It was nice talking to you. I have to go now.
- Thanks for the chat. See you later/soon/tomorrow.
- Take care. Talk to you later.
Softening words (sound friendly; use 1–2 in small talk)
- maybe, a bit, just
Examples - It’s a bit cold today.
- I’m just relaxing this weekend.
- Maybe we could get a coffee sometime.
Common L1 (Polish) pitfalls and fixes
- How it looks? → What does it look like?
- I have 25 years. → I am 25 (years old).
- I very like… → I like … very much. / I really like …
- On Monday morning I am meeting? → I’m meeting [Name] on Monday morning.
- Too direct “What?” → Use “Sorry?” or “Could you repeat that?”
Self-check (yes/no)
- I can start a chat with a greeting and one follow-up question.
- I can add short reactions while the other person speaks.
- I can close the chat politely.
Study time
- About 90–120 minutes total for all five topics in this module.
Polish support (key phrases EN→PL)
- Nice to meet you. I’m [Name]. → Miło cię poznać. Jestem [Imię].
- How’s it going? → Jak leci?
- Sounds good. → Brzmi dobrze.
- How about you? → A u ciebie?
- Tell me more about that. → Powiedz mi o tym więcej.
- I usually [verb] on [day]. → Zazwyczaj [czasownik] w [dzień].
- I like/love [noun/-ing]. → Lubię/uwielbiam [rzeczownik/-ing].
- There is/are [place/thing] near [place]. → Jest/Są [miejsce/rzecz] w pobliżu [miejsca].
- By the way, … → A tak przy okazji, …
- It was nice talking to you. → Miło się rozmawiało.
- Take care. → Trzymaj się.