Moving abroad small talk questions

Moving abroad small talk questions

 

Small talk questions you might be asked when you move abroad

Which questions below do you think you are most likely to be asked when you have moved to another country? How could you respond to those most likely questions?

• Are you coping okay with the weather/ the taxis/ the subway system/ travelling around/…?/ How are you coping with…?
• Are you getting over the jetlag (yet)?
• Are you (having any trouble) getting used to…?/ Have you got used to…?
• Are you planning to visit… (during your stay)?
• Are you settling in okay?
• Are you staying near here?
• Can I introduce you to…? You’ll be working together on…
• Did you bring your family with you?
• Did you have a good journey/ flight?
• Did you have any trouble finding us?/ Did you have any problems getting here?
• Do you have any plans for your first weekend/ long weekend/ vacation/ Xmas/…?
• Do you miss…?/ Don’t you miss…?
• Do you need a lift to…?
• Do you need any recommendations for restaurants/ things to see/ things to do/…?
• Have you just arrived?/ I heard that you arrived last night.
• Have you tried (name of food) yet?
• Have you had a chance to visit…/ try…/ see…/ meet…/… (yet)?
• Have you managed to find…?
• Have you seen any foxes/ squirrels/ hedgehogs/ badgers/… yet?
• Have you visited (name of place) yet?
• Hiyou must be (name).
• I’m (name). We emailed a few times while you were still in (name of place).
• How do you feel about… (so far)?
• How has (name of place) been treating you so far?/ How has your stay in (name of place) been so far?
• How long are you here?/ How long will you be here?
• How long have you been in (name of place)?
• How was your first day/ night/ week/ weekend in…?
• How was your journey/ flight?
• How’s your house hunting going?/ How’s… going?
• How’s your jetlag?
• I guess it’s much… er/ much more… than this back where you come from (now).
• I heard that in (name of place) there has been…/ there are often…/ people…/….
• I heard that there are bears/ wild boar/ monkeys/ hornets… in your country? (Do you see them very often?/ Aren’t they dangerous?)
• I’m afraid I haven’t heard of… Wh…?
• Is it true that in your language…?
• Is there anything you can’t eat?
• Is there much difference in cost of living/ nightlife/… between your country and here?
• Is there much of a gay scene/ LGBT scene in (name of place)?
• Is this your first time here/ in…?
• Is… popular/ well-known/ available/ broadcast/ famous/… in your country?
• Sorry about the weather! (It’s not usually like this/ I’m afraid it’s usually like this).
• The weather/ transport/ prices/… must be a nasty shock for you!
• Welcome (back) to (name of place).
• What did you do back in your country?
• What do you think about marmite/ the TV/ the food/ the weather/ British women / working life here/… in (name of place)?
• What does your wife/ husband/ partner think of…?
• What is your wife/ husband/ partner doing?
• What’s the weather like in your country (now/ at this time of year)?
• What time is it now in/ What’s the time difference between here and (name of place)?
• Where(abouts) are you from? What’s it like?
• Who did you fly with?
• You used to work with…didn’t you? Are you still in touch with him/ her?
• Your English is very good. How long have you been learning?

Compare which ones you think you are most likely to be asked and your ideas for responses with other people.

Ask about any which you are not sure about the likelihood ofdon’t understandare not sure how to answeretcdiscussing those things as a class each time.

Brainstorm more possible questions you might be asked and how to respond.

Small talk questions to ask when you move abroad

What questions might be very good to ask back to someone when you have moved to the country they are living in? What responses might you get from them?

Which of these questions might be good for you to ask? What might the responses to those good questions be?

• (This reminds me of…) Is this typical for…?
• … is much more similar to my country than I expected…
• Are you from around here?
• Can you tell me where the restroom/ night market/ nearest bank/ taxi rank/…is?
• Could you possibly help me with/ translate… for me/ give me a lift to…/…?
• Do you have any recommendations for…?
• Have you visited my country?
• Have you heard of…?
• How much would it cost to take a taxi/ get a tour guide/… (do you know)?
• I imagined…but I found that in reality…
• I was expecting… but actually…
• I was wondering why…
• I’d already tried…but…
• I’m afraid I haven’t heard of… Wh…?
• I’ve been pleasantly surprised by…
• Is it safe to go to…/ carry…/ eat…/ drink…/… (at night/ on your own/ for women)?
• It’s a bit greyisn’t it? Is it usually like this (at this time of year)?
• It’s great to be (back) here in…
• It’s lovely weather. I wish it was like this back home!
• Nobody warned me about…
• Thanks for inviting us to…
• This looks like a nice place. Do you come here often?
• What would you recommend as a main dish/ for souvenirs/ for vegetarians/ for...?
• What’s the best way to get to…/ to find…/ to exchange money/ to buy…/ to…?
• Would you recommend the fish/ visiting…/ shopping at…/ buying…/ travelling by…?

Compare which questions you think might be good and what responses you might get with other students.

Ask about any questions which you are not sure about the usefulness ofdon’t understandare not sure they might answeretcdiscussing those things as a class each time.

Compare any extra ideas for questions to ask as a class.

Small talk when moving abroad roleplays

Roleplay conversations between a person moving from abroad and someone who has lived there for a while or foreverlooking above to help if you like.

Discuss how realistic that conversation was and how well that conversation wentand try to think of ways you could have improved on it.

Switch roles and do the sameincluding the feedback stage.

Switch roles again and do the samebut with no help (so not looking above).