Period 5: CULTURAL CORNER—The AAA
Objectives
●To read to know more about the AAA model for small talk
Procedures
▇ Before you read
Please go over the word list for this module, paying attention to the pronunciation of the word, the relationship between its pronunciation and its spelling.
▇While you read
Cut/ the sentences into thought groups, blacken the predicates, underline the useful expressions and darken the connectives.
The AAA
It is estimated/ that 80% of all conversation/ in English/ is small talk. A very important function of small talk is to establish a relationship/ between people/ who don't know each other/ very well, or don't know each other/ at all.
Psychologists say that the most successful formula/ for small talk/ between people/ like this/ is the AAA model. AA＝answer, add and ask: This is how it works.
Imagine a situation/ where two strangers are talking to each other/ after someone/ they both know/ has left the room, or the café/ or party, etc. The first person/ asks a question:
A: Do you live/ near here?
The second person/ replies/ by answering the question, adding some extra information/ and then asking another question:
B: Answer) Yes, I do.
(Add) In an apartment/ on Brown Street.
(Ask) Do you live nearby/ too?
The first person does the same, answer, add and ask:
A: (Answer) No, I live/ in Bristol.
(Add) I'm just visiting London.
(Ask) Have you lived here long?
B: (Answer) Not so long.
(Add) I moved here/ three years ago.
(Ask) What's the purpose/ of your visit/ to London?
The sneakers may have difficulty/ at first, but they soon realise that/ the important thing/ is that they are saying something. By continuing with the AAA model, the conversation continues. Because the thing/ they both want to avoid/ is an embarrassing silence.
The conversation can continue/ in this way/ for a long time. However, something can happen/ that completely changes the atmosphere.
B: Why do you live/ in Bristol?
A: I'm studying there. History. Are you a student?
B: Yes. And I know some people/ who are studying/ at Bristol. Do you know a girl/ called/ Helen Brown?
A: Helen Brown!! Yes! She's one of my best friends! How do you know her?
B: She's my cousin.
At this point, the AAA model stops. Because they used this very useful social technique, they found something /they have/ in common/ at last.
▇After you read
Copy all the useful expressions into your Expression Book. You may make sentences with these expressions.
Expressions from The AAA
It is estimated that…, conversation in English, a very important function of small talk, establish a relationship between…, know each other very well, not…at all, the most successful formula for…, small talk between people,
reply by answering the question, adding some extra information, in an apartment on Brown Street, live nearby,
The first person does the same, answer, add and ask, move here three years ago, the purpose of…, one’s visit to…, have difficulty, at first, by continuing with…, an embarrassing silence, in this way, for a long time, change the atmosphere, use this very useful social technique, find… in common. at last


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