The best time to start a conversation is when
you are next to someone who is not moving.
You can't start talking to someone walking
away from you. Then you are bothering them
by making them stop. But if you are sitting
down on a bench and someone is next to you,
or you are at a beach and someone is close
by, you can start a conversation by saying
something generic.
But after you make your first sentence, you should see by their reaction if they
want to continue the conversation or not. If they appear a little rude, then stop
talking to them. You don't have to say anything to stop talking. They don't
expect you to. They expect you to not say another word. But if they ask a
question back, and they seem friendly, then you can continue with the
conversation..
FREE TALK
Answer the following questions and have free conversation to your
teacher.
1. Do you find it easy to start conversations with strangers?
Why? Why not?
2. When was the last time you had a conversation with a
stranger?
3. Have you ever attended a business/academic
conference? If so, what was it like? If not, would you like
to?
WARM UP EXERCISE:
Read the phrases 1 to 7 and decide which place its suitable
to use to start a conversation.
a. At a seminar
b. At an art gallery
c. At a sport game
d. In the road
e. At the bar
f. At the park
g. At a conference
1. “That’s an interesting painting. What
do you think of it?”
2. “This is a great song – I love Latin
music. How about you?
3. “Wow, that was a great play! So,
who’s your favorite player?”
4. “My kids are sure full of energy today!
5. It looks like it’s going to rain/snow.
6. What did you think of the speaker?
7. That was an excellent workshop – I
learned a lot. How about you?
DIALOGUE
Read the dialogue and practice it with your teacher.
Alex:
Hi! Do you mind if I sit here?
Alicia:
No, not at all. Go ahead.
Alex:
Ah, you are also attending the conference, am I right? I think I saw
you there.
Alicia:
Yes, that’s right. I'm Alicia, nice to meet you
Alex:
I’m Alex. It’s nice to meet you too.
Alicia:
So, what do you think of the conference? How did you like the
keynote speaker?
Alex:
Well... His presentation was quite interesting, but I think it was a bit
long. What about you?
Alicia:
I agree. You can tell that he is really knowledgeable about the topic,
but he talked too much. By the way, how did you hear about this
event?
Alex:
Well, we received an email invitation so we grab the opportunity.
Alicia:
I see, anyway, I must be going. Nice talking to you.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
PRACTICE RECITING THE FOLLOWING EXPRESSIONS.
1. Do you mind if I sit here?
2. Is anyone sitting here?
3. What do you think of the conference?
4. How did you like the presentation?
5. Great conference, isn't it?
6. So, what brought you here today?
7. How did you hear about this event?
8. I really must be going.
9. It was great talking to you.
10.It was nice meeting you.
11.Enjoy the rest of the day.
SOCIAL EXPRESSIONS
Look at the following words and expressions and Match them to
their functions:
Grammar - Question tags:
INVITING AGREEMENT:
Lovely day, isn't it?
Read the following information on using question tags: CHECKING/ASKING
When we invite someone to agree with us, for example to
emphasize a statement or start a conversation,
we can add question tag to a statement, e.g. Nice weather
today, isn't it?
FOR THINGS OR
INFORMATION:
It's time to go home,
isn't it?
INVITING AGREEMENT:
Question tags can also be used to ask real questions, for
example when you want to make a suggestion,
ask for something or check that your information is
correct, e.g. Let's go out for a drink, shall we?
You're coming to the party tonight, aren't you?
You don't know where Anne is, do you?
Tom isn't coming, is he?
CHECKING/ASKING
FOR THINGS OR INFO.:
You don't have a
dictionary I could
borrow, do you?
Question tags are formed with an auxiliary verb (have, was, will, shall etc.),
do/does for the present simple, and did for past simple.
Complete the following rules by crossing out the incorrect alternative:
We normally use a positive/negative question tag after a positive sentence and a
positive/negative question tag after a negative sentence.
LET’S PRACTICE