Once you learn the skill of starting a conversation with strangers you

Will be able to feel at home wherever you go – simply because you know

How to talk to people you never met.

One of the possible ways to start a conversation with a friend is to

Use the greetings and polite enquiries. You may also continue the conversation by asking: “How are you getting on?” “How are things?” “How

are you feeling today? I hope you are well.” and the answer may be:

“Fine, thanks, pretty well.” “Thanks, life is fine with me…” “Not too

good, I’m afraid. There’s much to be done.”

Another way is to use some information you have about the other

person in the form of a tag remark. The British also use tag questions in a

conversation with someone they don’t know while they are trying to find a

subject the other person is interested in. If they expect a “Yes answer” you

should say: “You’re a student, are you?” When you expect a “No answer” you should say: “You are a student, aren’t you?” In fact tagquestions are invitations to the other person to talk about the subject. 16

 

Another way of starting a conversation is to give some detail about

yourself:” I’m from Russia. What about you?” Another tactic is to use

the sentences which look like negative questions, but in fact they aren’t:

“Aren’t you a student?” “Didn’t I see you at the disco?” “Weren’t you

in the students’ café last night?”

It’s not normal in English to ask someone: “What’s your name?”

It’s considered rather rude. If you want to know somebody’s name you can

Say: “I’m afraid, I don’t know your name.” “I didn’t quite catch your

name.”

 

EXERCISES

I. Read the conversation and answer the questions given below.

Jane: Hi. How are things?

Mary: Fine, how about you?

Jane: I’m O.K. What did you do over the weekend?

Mary: You went skiing. Did you have a good time?

Jane: Oh, yes. It was great.

 

Questions:

1. What greetings has Jane used to start a conversation? 2. What did Mary

reply? 3. How did they both sound: formal or informal? 4. What other

greetings might have been used in this situation?

II. What comments about the weather would you make in each of these

cases?

1. The temperature is low and there is a bitterly cold wind. 2. The temperature is high and the sun is shining in a blue sky. 3. Dark clouds are gathering. 4. It is raining hard. 5. It is raining but the sky is getting brighter. 6. It

is miserable and windy out.

 

III. Take it in turns to greet someone and make a comment about the

weather, using the situations below. The other person returns the greeting

and also replies to the comment about the weather:

1. You meet your friend Kate in the park. It’s very hot.

2. You meet your friend at the bus stop. It’s raining.

3. You meet a visiting lecturer Mr. Brown outside the University. You are

both wearing thick coats, gloves and scarves. It’s winter.

4. You meet a friend of yours on the way to the University. He is wearing a

T-shirt and dark glasses.

5. You meet Harry, a British student, near the University. It’s a cold winter

day. The weather is miserable. But the outlook for tomorrow is rather favourable. Harry is glad to meet you. He says he hopes that the cold weather

won’t stay for too long.

 

UNIT 3

The ways to develop a conversation

Read the text and do exercises given after it.

A conversation often depends on questions. The person who asks questions in a conversation usually controls it. Personal questions should be expressed tactfully, otherwise you may appear to be rude. When asking questions of this

kind the British generally use: ”Excuse me for asking.” “Excuse me asking/my asking.” Other expressions are: “I wonder if you could tell me

your address?” “Excuse me, do you happen to know how often buses run

here?”

“Would you mind telling me about the structure of the University?” “I

hope you don’t mind my asking, but I’d like to know more about your research.”

English-speaking people do not usually ask or give exact information

about their age. It is usual to say that “someone is in his/her early twenties/thirties, etc.” 18

 

To make a general enquiry about somebody’s job the British use:

“What do you do? What do you do for a living?” The British never say:

“What’s your profession/work?”

Here’re some useful phrases for describing somebody’s job in more details:

“He’s/I’m in advertising/banking, etc.” “He’s/I’m responsible for recruiting the staff.” “He’s/I’m an English lecturer at Moscow University.” “I/ He deal/deals with the finance.” “I’m/He’s qualified as a program designer.”

In order to get more information you can use the following techniques:

“Can you tell me a bit more about the history of your company?”

“Sorry, but I’d like to know some more about your trip to Britain.”

“Sorry, that’s not quite what I meant.” “What I really wanted to know

was when exactly you’d be back.” “Sorry, I don’t quite understand.”

If you want to get some explanations during the conversation you can

do it like that: “What do you mean?” “What exactly do you mean?”

“Can you explain it in more detail, please?

If you want to interrupt when another person is speaking, you should

do it politely: “Excuse me, can I interrupt you for a moment?” “Sorry

to interrupt but I’ve got a question for you.” “I’d just like to say that

my friend has got a promotion.” “By the way (to change the subject)

I’ve decided to give up teaching.” “That reminds me of the meeting we

had last time.” “Hold on, please.” “Just a moment, please.”

If you want to prevent interruptions and make sure you continue to

hold the floor, you can use the following techniques:

1. “There are two points I’d like to make.” You can’t be easily interrupted until you have made them both.

2. You may also pause in the middle of a sentence. In this case you can’t

be easily interrupted until you’ve completed your sentence.

You may probably want to hear other people’s views and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak in a conversation. The following phrases may 19

 

be helpful: Don’t you agree, Jane, that English is a beautiful language?”

“What do you think, Nick, about Spanish painting?” “I expect you will

agree with me when I say that we can master English only if we study

much.” “ I don’t know what Mary thinks but I’m sure she knows more

about the problem than I do.”

Sometimes people speak indistinctly, so you may need to ask them to

repeat what they have said. Here’re the most common ways: ”Sorry, could

you say that again, (please)?” “Sorry, could you repeat that?” “Sorry,

would you mind repeating that.” “Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Sorry, I didn’t (quite) catch what you said.

When you are at a loss for words, the following sentences may be

helpful: “I can’t think of the right word, but you know what I mean.”

“A sort of thing/food, etc. you know.” “You know the sort/kind of

thing I mean.” “I don’t quite know what you call it.” “One of those

things, you know.” “I can’t remember what it’s called.”

Possible answers may be: “Yes, I know what you mean.” “No, I’m

afraid I don’t remember what you mean.” “You mean your business

trip?” “Are you thinking of your colleagues?”

British people usually use tags to make sure their listeners are keeping up with them. Another good way to check if you are properly understood is to use different little phrases as: “…if you see what I mean” “I

don’t know if you can see that…” “And you know what I said?” “Can

you guess what I did/said, etc?” “See what I mean, etc.”

In more formal situations you might say: “Do you follow me?” “

Are you with me on that?” “All right so far?” “Is everything clear?”

“Got that?”

The importance of these little phrases cannot be overemphasized. In

fact they ask for a tacit agreement from listeners and seek their encouragement or approval to continue a conversation. And what is more important they make speakers sound less abrupt and bring listeners into the

talk. On the other hand listeners are also expected either to encourage 20

 

speakers or merely to show they are listening to be polite. Facial expressions, gestures and so on are very important indicators of attention and interest. So are certain words and intonation that can be used in uttering

them. Here are some useful words you might use to show you are involved

and share the speaker’s feelings: “Ah. Yes. Gosh. Sure. Yeah. Wow. Oh.

Really? Lovely. Mmm…right. Fancy that! I know. Fine. Well. I see.

OK. Exactly so.

These brief utterances point to the level of agreement and comprehension as well as reveal the listener’s emotional involvement. At the same

time you should not put too many of these utterances in, because in this

case the expression may be one of overbearing pugnacity or embarrassing

friendliness.

If you need to delay answering a question while you think for a moment or check on your facts you may use some delaying expressions:

“Well, let me see …” “Oh, let me think for a moment.” “I’m not sure,

I’ll just have to find it out.” “That’s a very interesting question.”

“That’s a difficult question to answer.” “It’s difficult to say.” “Let me

put it this way.” “What do you mean?”

These delaying expressions give people time to think about their replies.

If you want to avoid answering questions altogether you may use expressions like these: “I’m not really sure.” “I can’t tell you off-hand,

I’m afraid.” “I’m terribly sorry, I really don’t know.” “I’ve no idea,

I’m afraid.” “I can’t answer that one, but I’ll tell you where you can

find it out.” “I’d rather not answer that one, if you don’t mind.”

If you don’t want to discuss something, use the following phrases:

“Well, I’d rather leave individuals out of this.” “Well, I’d rather not

discuss it at the moment.” Well, I’d rather not talk about it if you

don’t mind.” “Well, I’d rather wait till I know more about it before I

say.” “Well, I’d rather wait before I commit myself.” 21

 

If the British want to terminate a conversation generally end a conversation with people or a person they know by an excuse and saying

something nice after the topics of common interest have been discussed,

e.g. “ Excuse me, I’m afraid I have to be going now. It was really a

pleasure to talk to you.” Some other ways may be: summing up a conversation by using “OK”,”Well”, etc. or/and making arrangements to speak to

the person at a later time. In a business conversation where there is a specific point to be discussed the British come to the point quickly. In this

case the conversation winds down after the point has been discussed and an

excuse is not necessary.

 

EXERCISES

I. Read the conversation and answer the questions given after the text.

A: Can I help you?

B: Yes, I’d like one of those things, oh, you know.

A: No, I’m afraid, I don’t.

B: You know the sort of thing I mean for holding papers together, I’ve forgotten what they are called.

A: Ah, you mean paper clips, don’t you?

B: No, not exactly. A sort of paper clip. Well, you know what I mean.

A: Sorry, I don’t.

B: They are little wire things you put in a machine and then press.

A: Ah, you mean staples, I think?

B: Yes, that’s right. I couldn’t remember what they were called. Thank

you.

 

Questions:

1. Does the first speaker try to be helpful? What language shows he does?

2. What other language could the first speaker have used with the same

meaning? 3. Do you think both speakers are polite and patient with each

other? 22

 

III. Look trough the lines and:

a) rearrange them to produce a natural dialogue:

1. Yes, please. Do you mind if I open the window?

2. No, I don’t think so. Would you like to look at my timetable?

3. No, I don’t think so. Shall I move my bag?

4. No, that’s quite all right. The train’s rather crowded, isn’t it?

5. Yes, I suppose so. By the way, it does stop at Brighton, doesn’t it?

6. Shall I look after your bag for you?

7. Yes, please.

8. Excuse me, is this seat taken?

9. No, that’s quite all right. I think, I’ll just go for a cup pf coffee.

10.Yes, it is, isn’t it? I suppose it’s because it’s Friday.

 

b) read the dialogue you have made up and answer the following questions:

1. Do the speakers know each other? 2. How did the speakers develop the

conversation after answering? 3. Do the two speakers sound friendly and

polite? If so, what language shows they are? 4. What sorts of developments

did the first speaker use? 5. What other sorts of developments do you think

might have been used in this situation?

 

IV. Make a natural response to the following remarks, remembering that

you should both answer and develop the conversation:

1. You’ve been to London, haven’t you? 2. Have you seen the paper today?

3. You’re not English, are you? 4. You work a lot, don’t you? 5. You haven’t got minute to spare, have you?

 

V. Make short conversations in the following situations.

1. Ask the person sitting next to some personal questions politely. Try to

sound interested when listening to her/him.

2. You meet a nice girl/boy outside your University. Strike up a conversation with her/him to find out whether: 1) she’s/he’s a student of your University; 2) she’s/he’s fond of history. 23

 

3. Your teacher has explained something, but you still don’t understand it

very well. Politely ask for clarification.

4. It’s your first day in a new group and you don’t know where to sit. Ask

one of the other students politely about the seating arrangements.

5. Some students come to your door to talk to you about a New-Year party.

You are not well. You have a lot of work. Get rid of them politely.

6. Someone who has started work in your organization asks you what the

boss is like. You don’t want to discuss him/her.

 

UNIT 4

Requests and Permission

Read the text and do exercises given after it.