Starting, keeping going and ending a talk
Spoken interaction is talking with someone. Both people take turns. This is different from a speech where one person speaks.
Start. Greet, say your name, ask something small. "Hello, I am Ali. What is your name?" To introduce a friend: "This is my friend Sara. Sara, this is Ali."
Keep going. Ask follow-up questions ("And you?", "Why?"), react ("Really?", "Wow", "I see") and add your own idea. A short reply like "Yes." stops the talk. A full reply like "Yes, I do. I play every Sunday." keeps it going.
End. Show you are closing: "I have to go now. Nice talking to you. Bye!"
Repair. When you do not understand, do not stay silent. Say:
- "Sorry, could you say that again?"
- "Could you speak more slowly, please?"
- "What does ... mean?"
- "Do you mean ...?" (to check)
If you forget a word, describe it: "the thing you use to open a tin".
Asking and giving information, opinions and reasons
Asking for information. Use question words: who, what, where, when, why, how. "Where do you live?" "How do you go to school?" Then listen and answer the real question. Explain with one more sentence: "I live in Pune. It is about 5 km from school."
Giving an opinion with a reason. Use the pattern opinion + because + reason.
- "I think cycling is good because it is cheap."
- "In my opinion... / I feel that... / For me..."
Add a second reason with "also" or "and": "It also keeps me fit."
Agree and disagree. "I agree." "That is true." "I see your point, but I think... because..." Do not say "You are wrong". Soften it.
Express doubt. "I am not sure." "Maybe." "I am afraid I do not think so."
Preferences, plans and wishes. "I prefer tea to coffee because..." "I am going to study medicine." "I would like to travel." Ask back: "What about you?"
In a discussion: listen, answer what was said, give your reason, and let others speak.
Wishes, invitations, suggestions, advice and permission
- Good wishes and congratulations: "Happy birthday!" "Congratulations! Well done!" "Good luck with your exam!" Reply: "Thank you, that is kind."
- Invite: "Would you like to come to my house on Sunday?" Accept: "Yes, I would love to." Refuse politely: "Thank you, but I am busy on Sunday. Maybe next time."
- Suggest: "Let us play cricket." "Why don't we go to the park?" Accept: "Good idea." Reject kindly: "I would rather not. How about a film?" Encourage: "Go on, you can do it."
- Simple negotiating: "I will wash the plates if you dry them." Find a middle way.
- Ask for advice: "What should I do?" Give advice: "You should sleep early." "Why don't you ask your teacher?" "If I were you, I would..."
- Permission. Ask: "May I open the window?" "Is it all right if I...?" Give: "Yes, of course." Refuse: "I am sorry, you cannot. It is dangerous."
Requests, warnings, feelings, politeness and style
Requests. Soft words make a request friendly. Compare:
- "Give me the pen." (blunt)
- "Pass me the pen." (okay)
- "Could you pass me the pen, please?" (polite)
Agree: "Sure, here you are." Refuse: "Sorry, I need it right now."
Warnings, orders, bans and instructions. Short and clear, with a reason if you can. Warn: "Be careful! The floor is wet." Order: "Please sit down." Forbid: "Do not touch it. It is hot." Instruct: "First open the book. Then read page ten."
Feelings. Joy: "I am so happy!" Sadness: "I feel sad." Surprise: "What a surprise!" Hope: "I hope it will be sunny." Worry: "I am worried about the test." Sympathy: "I am sorry to hear that."
Polite forms. Use please, thank you, excuse me, sorry, could, would, may. Add a person's name or title if you know it.
Style. Talk differently to a friend and to a teacher. With friends: "Hi! What's up?" With a teacher: "Good morning, madam. May I ask a question?" Choose words to suit the person and the place.
Try it
In the 3D: in the last step press Question, Answer, Add a reason and Polite words. Build a talk with at least 3 turns, 2 reasons and 1 polite word. Watch the numbers below the canvas.
With a friend: Talk for one minute about your favourite food. Rules: ask at least two questions, give your opinion with "because", and end politely. Then swap roles and use a different topic.
Key formulas and definitions
- Opinion + because + reason
- Request: Could you ... , please?
- Repair: Sorry, could you say that again?
- Talk = start + keep going + end
- Invite: Would you like to ...? Accept: I would love to.
- Advice: You should ... / If I were you, I would ...
Worked examples
1. Make the reply longer to keep the talk going. A: "Do you like music?" B: "Yes."
B: "Yes, I do. I like film songs the most. What about you?" The answer says more and asks back.
2. Turn this into a polite request: "Open the window."
"Could you open the window, please?" or "May I open the window?" depending on who will open it.
3. Give an opinion with two reasons: online classes.
"I think online classes are useful because we can learn from home. They also save travel time." Opinion, because, reason, also, second reason.
Common mistakes
- Answering with one word ("Yes", "No") and stopping the talk. Add a short reason or ask back.
- Saying "You are wrong" when you disagree. Say "I see your point, but..." and give a reason.
- Staying silent when you do not understand. Ask for repetition.
- Using blunt orders such as "Give me!" in place of "Could you give me ..., please?"