# Beyond the weather

**Language:** English  
**CEFR Level:** B1  

> Listen in as Emma and Ethan talk about mastering the art of small talk in real, everyday English. By the end of this course their conversation will feel easy to follow, and you'll be ready to join in.

**Setting:** Emma and Ethan are attending a week-long independent hospitality and local produce trade fair in Glasgow's West End, frequently bumping into each other in the communal areas. Over coffee breaks, lunch queues, and evening social mixers, they strike up a series of casual conversations that keep them talking throughout the week.

## Lessons

### 1. Comparing everyday habits

Emma and Ethan chat about the quality of the coffee at the event, leading Emma to ask Ethan about his kitchen setup at home.

### 2. Asking about someone's experience

Ethan describes his very basic kitchen setup at the farm, and then asks Emma how she is finding the trade fair so far.

### 3. Explaining motivations for business decisions

Emma tells Ethan about a sustainable packaging supplier she met, explaining her environmental motivations for wanting to make a change.

### 4. Discussing long-term benefits

Emma reveals the high cost of the sustainable packaging, and Ethan suggests it might still be a worthwhile long-term investment.

### 5. Explaining the reason for a trip

Emma asks Ethan why he travelled all the way to Glasgow, and Ethan explains his sister's advice on helping his farm survive.

### 6. Comparing different environments

Emma asks Ethan what it is like to leave his quiet farm for a noisy city, and Ethan shares how strange the transition feels.

### 7. Making lighthearted comparisons

Emma jokes about sheep being easier to manage than trade fair crowds, and Ethan points out the financial downside of having sheep as customers.

### 8. Discussing plans for the evening

Emma asks Ethan about his plans for the night, and they both realize they might attend the same networking event at the hotel bar.

### 9. Asking how someone started a hobby

As Ethan prepares to head off to find his stand, Emma asks him how he first got involved in the sport of fell running.

### 10. Explaining how you started a hobby

Ethan explains his motivation for taking up fell running, while Emma asks if he really just started running up hills one afternoon.

### 11. Making a polite request

Ethan jokes about how he immediately fell in love with running, before asking Emma if she would mind saving him a seat at the mixer later.

### 12. Correcting yourself during a conversation

Emma agrees to save Ethan a seat, prompting Ethan to accidentally use a regional term of address before quickly correcting himself.

### 13. Ending a conversation in a hurry

Emma urges Ethan to head back to his display stand, and Ethan agrees it is time to go after a quick joke about the coffee.

### 14. Confirming plans to meet later

Emma and Ethan wish each other a good afternoon and confirm that they will see each other at the bar tonight.