6 英语

6.1 week2

A. How to start a conversation

1. Opening lines(开场白) = icebreakers

   positive (not complaints)

   ex:

   1. compliments

   2. news events

   3. weather

2. Be sincere, respectful, interested

B. How to keep a conversation going

1. Asking questions = Elaboration technique

   1. don’t ask questions requiring just a yes or no answer
      
   2. ask questions showing your genuine interest
      
   3. ask questions based on the last thing a person says

2. Seven tips

   1. be aware of body & facial language
      

   2. don’t gossip
      

   3. cultivate a wide range of topics
      

   4. have a sense of humor
      

   5. don’t interrupt

   6. be enthusiastic and upbeat

      (ethnic vs ethic vs enthusiastic)

   7. be flexible in your point of view

3. Topics to avoid

   1. Politics – Political opinions can be polarizing, especially in casual settings. It’s better to steer clear of deep political discussions unless you’re in a setting where it’s appropriate or both parties are open to it.
      
   2. Income or Wealth – Asking about someone’s salary, financial situation, or how much they earn can be seen as intrusive or inappropriate, especially if you don’t have a close relationship.
      
   3. Gender and Sexuality – Discussions about gender identity or sexual orientation can be sensitive. It’s important to be respectful and avoid assumptions or comments that might be seen as intrusive or inappropriate.
      
   4. Academic Performance – Talking about grades or student performance can be awkward and potentially make people feel uncomfortable, especially if someone is struggling in their studies or feels insecure about their achievements.
      
   5. Family Matters – Questions about someone’s marital status, children, or family dynamics can be too personal. Not everyone wants to discuss their family situation, especially in casual settings.
   6. Private Life or Relationships – Questions about someone’s romantic life, ex-partners, or relationship issues are usually best avoided, as they can make someone feel awkward or exposed.

C. How to end a conversation

1. break eye contact
   
2. use transition words
   
3. recap (sum up) what was said
   
4. give handshake

D. Why People make small talk

There are a few different reasons why people use small talk. The first and most obvious, is to break an uncomfortable silence. Another reason, however, is simply to fill time. Some people make small talk in order to be polite.

E. What I learn today

1. I have nothing to add. 我没什么要补充的了
   
2. I want to think about it again. 我还需要再思考一下
   
3. privacy disclosure 隐私泄露

6.2 week3

UNITE 2 Nonverbal Communication

1. Physical=body language=kinesics

2. Aesthetic
   

3. Signs
   

4. Symbolic

A man is clapping his hands, another man is holding the railing, and they are both smiling.

:question: Are there any body movements that have different meanings in different languages and cultures?

1. The Gesture of Nodding

   • Western Cultures: A nod typically means “yes” or agreement.

   • Bulgaria & Greece: In contrast, in some parts of Bulgaria and Greece, a nod can actually mean “no.” It’s a reverse of what most people are used to in Western cultures.

2. The “V” Sign (Victory Sign)

   • Western Cultures: The “V” sign made with the palm facing out is a symbol for victory or peace, often used in casual contexts.
     
   • United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand: If the palm is facing inward (with the back of the hand towards the person), it’s considered an offensive gesture, similar to giving someone the finger.

3. The “OK” Hand Gesture

   • Western Cultures: Making a circle with the thumb and forefinger and extending the other fingers generally means “okay” or “all good.”
     
   • Brazil, Turkey, Greece: In some countries, this gesture can be highly offensive, symbolizing an insult or a rude suggestion. (sexual meaning)
   • Japen: money

fist bump, White supremacists, Pat the child’s head, Micro-expressions, kinesiology, pitch, police siren, Vanity, intensity, fraternity, devil horns,

hook’ em horns, allure, shrug one’s shoulders, pinky swear

:o: The gesture of crossing your fingers typically has different meanings depending on the context and culture. Here are the main interpretations:

1. Good Luck

   General Western Meaning: The most common interpretation is that crossing your fingers is a gesture used to wish for good luck or hope for a positive outcome. For example, someone might cross their fingers before an exam or a big event, as a way of expressing hope that things will go well.

2. Fingers Crossed for a Lie (Contradictory Meaning)

   Deceptive Meaning: In some cultures, particularly in the U.S. and some parts of Europe, people might cross their fingers behind their back when telling a lie or making a promise they don’t intend to keep. The crossed fingers are meant to symbolize that the person is not actually being truthful or is making a “fake” promise. It’s like a silent “get-out-of-jail-free card.”

“Love is sweet torture”

6.3 Week 3

Unite 10

anxiety, visual aids, get your ideas across

Discussions

1. How to prepare a presentation?

​ Practice Your Delivery before formal presentation

• Rehearse: Practice delivering your presentation several times. Try to do this in front of a mirror or with a friend to get feedback.
  
• Body Language: Work on your posture, eye contact, and gestures. Ensure that your body language is confident and open.
  
• Voice Control: Work on your tone, pace, and volume. Use pauses to emphasize key points and avoid speaking too fast or too slowly.
  
• Use Notes Wisely: If you need notes, keep them concise and on hand for quick reference. Don’t read off them—maintain engagement by looking at your audience.

​ Prepare for Potential Questions

• Anticipate Questions: Think about what the audience might ask and prepare your answers.
  

• Rehearse Q&A: If possible, have someone practice asking you questions. This can he lp you refine your responses and feel more confident.

  Design Your Visuals (Slides or Other Media)

• Simplicity: Keep slides simple and uncluttered. Use bullet points, short phrases, and visuals (charts, images, diagrams) to complement your speech.
  

• Consistent Design: Use a consistent color scheme, font, and layout throughout the presentation. Avoid too many flashy effects.
  

• Readable Text: Use large, readable fonts and avoid excessive text. The text should support what you’re saying, not be the entire script.
  

• Visual Aids: Incorporate visuals (graphs, images, videos) to reinforce your message. Make sure they’re high quality and relevant.
  

• Keep It Balanced: Don’t rely solely on text—images, graphs, and videos are often more engaging.

2. How to create effective introduction?

​ Start with a hook: Begin with something that grabs attention. This could be:

• A compelling question (e.g., “Have you ever wondered why…?”)
  
• A surprising statistic or fact (e.g., “Did you know that 70% of people…”)
  
• A relevant quote (e.g., “As Albert Einstein once said…”)
  
• A personal story or anecdote that ties into your topic.

​ Clearly state your purpose: Let your audience know what to expect. Briefly describe the objective of your presentation.

​ Provide a roadmap: Outline the key points or topics you’ll cover, so your audience knows the structure of your presentation. This creates a sense of clarity and direction.

​ Establish credibility: Briefly explain why you’re qualified to speak on the subject. This helps build trust with your audience.

​ Engage emotionally: Make the audience feel the relevance of your topic by connecting it to their interests or concerns.

How to create effective conclusion?

​ Summarize key points: Briefly recap the main takeaways from your presentation. This helps the audience remember the core message.

​ Restate the importance: Remind your audience why the topic matters. Reinforce the significance of the message you’ve delivered.

​ End with a strong closing thought: Conclude with something thought-provoking or impactful, such as:

• A call to action (e.g., “Now, it’s your turn to act.”)
  
• A challenge (e.g., “What will you do next with this information?”)
  
• A memorable quote that ties into your topic.

​ Thank your audience: Express gratitude for their time and attention, leaving them with a positive impression.

​ Leave room for questions: End by inviting questions, signaling that you’re open to further engagement.

3. How to make a good impression during a presentation?

​ The way you present yourself during the talk plays a huge role in how your message is received. Here are some tips to make a positive and lasting impression:

• Prepare well: Know your material thoroughly. The more confident you are in your subject, the more confident you’ll appear to your audience.
• Use body language effectively:
  • Maintain eye contact with your audience.
  • Use gestures to emphasize points but don’t overdo it.
  • Stand tall and avoid slouching. Good posture conveys confidence.
• Speak clearly and with enthusiasm:
  • Vary your tone and pitch to keep your audience engaged.
  • Avoid speaking too fast—ensure your words are clear and easy to follow.
  • Pause occasionally to let important points sink in.
• Engage with your audience:
  • Ask questions or make eye contact to encourage connection.
  • Use stories, examples, and humor to keep things relatable and human.
• Stay calm and composed:
  • It’s normal to feel nervous, but try to manage anxiety with deep breaths and positive self-talk.
  • If you lose your place or make a mistake, keep going—don’t dwell on it. The audience is generally more focused on the overall message than on minor slip-ups.
• Use visuals effectively:
  • Don’t overload your slides with text. Use visuals, graphs, and images to complement your message.
  • Ensure any technology works smoothly ahead of time to avoid distractions.
• Be mindful of time: Stick to your allotted time. It shows respect for your audience’s time and helps you stay focused on the key points.
• Be confident, have good posture, smile before start, speak with varying speaking rate

Features of a good slids

• appropiate template and font
  
• consistency
  
• Using headings, subheadings, bullet points and indentation to structure the content
  
• simple and clear design, limited text
  
• relevant and accurate visuals
  
• high quality graphs and charts
  
• all objects are aligned
  
• limit punctuation

How to start a presentation

• Start with a question or hot issue or an unusual fact or surprising statistic
  
• share a pesonal story
  
• outline your pre
  
• use humor
  
• use a visual aid
  
• start with a quotation
  
• state the purpose and relevance of the pre