Unit 2 Keeping the Conversation Moving

Culture Learning Questions

1 What questions do you ask to continue the conversation?

2 What information could you give to keep the conversation going?

3 What other moves do you use to keep the conversation ball going (in your own culture / in other cultures)?

4 Do the speakers have to give any information and respond to it to keep themselves and others out of the conversational dead zone?

Cultural Note

When speakers in a conversation answer only “Yes” or “No”, or give short answers to questions, the conversation will probably not “go” anywhere: that is, the conversation will stop. When Americans hold a conversation, it seems like they are having a Ping-Pong game. One person has the ball and then hits it to the other side of the table. The other player hits the ball back and the game continues. Good conversationalists know and use the moves that keep themselves and others out of the conversational dead zone.

To keep the conversation ball going one should

1 Start a new round. Introduce a new topic. This is easier if you approach any important conversation with at least three topics you could raise as comments or questions:

“I saw a fantastic old film last night”.

“What do you think about…?”

“I wanted to ask you about…”

“Did I tell you about…?”

“Oh, I just remembered…”

“That reminds me of…”

“I can’t believe what I heard about…”

“There’s something I wanted to share with you…”

“Oh, listen to this…”

2 Expand. Try to stretch the topic at hand by adding a different dimension to what was just said. If you’ve been chatting about a snowstorm, for instance, consider these levels of play:

Facts and information: “They’re saying we should expect five more inches this weekend”.

Opinions: “Don’t you think the town is doing a great job keeping the roads open?”

Examples and experiences: “Until I started skiing I stayed inside all winter. Now I am looking forward to a big storm.”

3 Pick up a dropped topic. Return to the information that came up earlier. This requires good listening all along in order to keep in mind what conversational tidbits you can toss back in for another volley: “You mentioned you’re interested in building your own home. Do you have a site picked out yet?”

4 Allow time out. Comfortable conversations include some silent periods. tolerate a time out by counting to ten in your head the next time there is silence. You may be surprised to find that your partner has casually and effectively started the volley going again.

5 One more way of keeping the conversation going is to give or add extra information and respond to information.

If someone says: You could respond

“I’m not feeling too well today”. “Oh, that’s’ too bad. What’s the matter?”

“I just had an operation”. “You did? How are you feeling now?”

“I didn’t do very well on the test”. “That’s’ too bad. What do you think the

problem was?”

Cross-Cultural Interaction

1 Choose the words that are often used when people give a) examples, b) some facts and information, c) express their opinion, d) share their experience and e) pick up a dropped topic. Rearrange them into groups:

1 Until I began putting on some weight I never dreamt of becoming too plump and going to a fitness club.

2 You mentioned your trip to China. What is your impression of it?

3 How do you like American food?

4 Did I tell you what happened to me the other day?

5 It is not always easy, however, to accept a different way of interacting.

6 Do you feel that Americans and English would have difficulty communicating in your language with people of your background?

2 Study the phrases and situations used in responding to information:

3 What responses do you associate the following phrases with (facts and information, opinions, examples and experiences, picking up a dropped topic or starting a new round)?

Not in the least. Really? Is it possible? That reminds me of…Is it? Did you? When I was in … I saw… That’s fantastic! Referring back to the problem… It’s exciting! In my opinion smoking should be forbidden. There’s something I wanted to share with you… You mentioned you’re interested in… It doesn’t seem fair to me. Until I started to learn English I thought it was quite easy to do it. Oh, I just remembered. I wanted to ask you about…

4 Read the following short dialogues and say which words and expressions are odd ones; change it and act it out:

a) “I’m sorry that I didn’t phone you “Really? No problem. Don’t worry.”

earlier. I have been busy”.

b) “I finally got the job I wanted.” “Congratulations! Well done! When

do you start?”

c) “I won’t take this class any “That’s terrific! What’s the

more.” problem? As far as I know you

liked the class.”

d) “The teacher said that the “Oh, it’s nothing for you.

report I had written is great.” Congratulations! Where did you

find such interesting information?”

e) “My friend failed the math “Was it difficult? That’s disgraceful!”

exam.”

5 Change the short answers to longer ones to show that both speakers are interested in the conversation. Note: You will have to change some of the original sentences to go with your new sentences.

Situation: Two students are standing near the door to a classroom. it is almost time for class to start.

Lily: Hi. Are you in this class?

Mara: Yes.

Lily: My name is Lily. You are…?

Mara: Mara.

Lily: Where are you from?

Mara: India.

Lily: Did you come to this country to study?

Mara: Yes.

Lily: What are you studying?

Mara: Engineering.

Lily: How long do you plan to stay here?

Mara: I’m not sure yet.

6 Expand the following statements giving some more facts and information or expressing your opinion:

For example: “That was a difficult test.” “I know what you mean. I had a hard time too.”

If someone says: You could respond:

“I’ve just gotten some bad news.” ______________

“I finally got the job I was waiting for.” ______________

“I heard some great news today.” ______________

“Could I talk to you a minute? I have

a problem that I think you could help me with.”______________

“I really don’t understand the lesson we’re

studying.” ______________

“My sister just had a baby.” _______________

“I feel really angry at the boss today.” _______________

“Did I tell you the good news?” _______________

7 Fill in the following dialogue with suitable phrases (used for keeping the conversation going):

Nancy: What’s your name?

Anna: Anna Maria Cassini, but…. And …?

Nancy: I’m Nancy Anderson. So, where are you from?

Anna: From Italy.

Nancy: Aha. And, how long have you been here?

Anna: Just three weeks.

Nancy: Really? Your…

Anna: Thanks. That’s because my family used to come here every summer when I was little. I can speak pretty well.

Nancy: Mmm – hmm. …

Anna: …but now I want to go to college here, so I need to improve my skills, especially grammar and writing. That’s why I signed up for this English program.

8 Work in pairs. Start a conversation with a teacher or another student. Choose topics from the following list or think of your own. Try to keep the conversation going as long as possible (for at least five minutes):

- Tell something about your own culture.

- Talk about family, jobs, work or school / university.

- The difficulties of taking exams.

- Give an opinion on a topic.

- Your choice of topics.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 1001