Small talk that flows

• Crazy weather lately, isn't it?最近、変な天気だよね。
• Did you get up to anything fun?何か楽しいことした？
• That sounds amazing!それ最高じゃん！
• Speaking of…〜といえば

1. 1. Warm-up (5 min)

   Check last homework. Ask the warm-up questions to relax.

   • How's your week going?
   • Anything interesting happen recently?

2. 2. Input (10 min)

   Introduce the key phrases one by one. The student repeats each 3 times; check meaning (short Japanese is OK).

3. 3. Practice (15 min)

   Run the unit's practice activity. Maximize student talking time.

   Teach follow-up question types (who/where/how was it?). The student must ask 2 follow-ups before changing topic.

4. 4. Role-play (10 min)

   Tutor plays the other person. Praise when the key phrases are used; fix only 2 things afterwards.

   🎭 Waiting for an elevator with a coworker from another office: 2 minutes of small talk.

5. 5. Free talk (5 min)

   Use the discussion questions for free conversation.

   • What's something you're looking forward to?
   • What's a small thing that made you happy this week?
   • What's trending in Japan right now?

6. 6. Wrap-up (5 min)

   Review today's phrases and give the homework. Write the lesson note right after.

   📌 Learn 5 reaction phrases and use them this week使えるリアクション表現を5つ覚えて使ってみる

25-minute lessons: skip step 5 and shorten steps 3 and 4.