Humour in Conversation

B2 · Upper-intermediate48 minConversation SkillsLesson 5 of 8 · Outline

Aims

Goal: use light humour on purpose — observe, set up, subvert expectations, and land a callback.

The lesson, stage by stage

  1. Warm up5 min

    Warm-up: Being funny in a second language

    2 warm-up questions

  1. Reading10 min

    Reading: Why Funny People Are Better Communicators

    Read a 221-word text about Why Funny People Are Better Communicators

  2. Framework6 min

    Framework: Callback & Unexpected

    Callback & Unexpected, 4 steps

  3. Practice7 min

    Practice: Humour Vocabulary Practice

    Gap-fill exercise, 5 items

  4. Dialogue10 min

    Dialogue: Using Light Humour Socially

    Role-play: You're at a friend's birthday dinner with people you don't know well. The conversation is a bit stiff and formal. Use light humour to loosen things up and build rapport, without trying too hard or making anyone uncomfortable. (4 lines)

  5. Discussion10 min

    Discussion: Your mission: land a laugh

    5 discussion questions

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This plan comes from the Advanced Conversation Techniques course in the Tuton library. Browse all free lesson plans.