Friday, February 12, 2021

TED: Why You Should Talk To Strangers


Listen to Story

Transcript

Audio Time: 11 min  44 sec

Level: Upper intermediate and up

 

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

 

To catch the eye of someone: to attract and hold (someone's attention, interest, etc.).

Semantic: of or relating to the meanings of words and phrases.

Obsessed: to be the only person or thing that someone thinks or talks about; to think about someone or something too much.

To figure out: to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking.

Profound: having or showing great knowledge or understanding.

Liberating: making you feel free.

Storm drain: a drain that carries water (such as rainwater) away from a street, parking lot, etc.

Perception: the way that you notice or understand something using your senses.

To liberate: to free (someone or something) from being controlled by another person, group, etc.

Short cut: a quicker or easier way to do something.

Bias: to be subjective and not see something from an objective perspective.

Intimacy: emotional warmth and closeness.

Fleeting: not lasting : lasting for only a short time.

From scratch: from a point at which nothing has been done yet.

Averse: having a clear dislike of (something) : strongly opposed to (something).

Counterintuitive: different from what you would expect : not agreeing with what seems right or natural.

Resonance: a. the quality of a sound that stays loud, clear, and deep for a long time formal; b.  a quality that makes something personally meaningful or important to someone.

Lament: to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something.

Triangulation: making a triangle by combing three points.

Disclosure: the act of making something known : the act of disclosing something.

Vulnerable: open to attack, harm, or damage.

Suspicious: having or showing a feeling of doubt or distrust.

 

Discussion questions:

1. Why does the speaker suggestion that we should talk with strangers?

2. Is it appropriate to talk with strangers in your culture?

3. Is small talk common in your country? If so, in what kinds of situations?

4. What are some of the techniques the speaker suggests to make small talk?

5. Can you think of other techniques to make small talk with someone you don’t know?

No comments:

Post a Comment