PCOMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES- I
ENGLISH
LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS 18. LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS: CONVERSATIONS After the knowledge of sentence formation and logical thinking it is important to put what we have learnt into practice. This lesson aims to do precisely that, by focusing on various aspects of conversations.
18.0 Objectives By the end of this lesson you will: i. ii. iii.
Identify the different parts of conversations Use correct conversation starters, responses and conversation enders in dialogue Develop a conversation appropriately
18.1 Introduction People interact with other people all the time. It is important to know how to begin conversations. It is equally important to know how to respond to (or reply) other people. Very often, we find ourselves talking comfortably with someone. However, we may not know how to end a conversation in a polite way. This lesson will help you develop conversational skills in the areas of meeting and greeting people you know already as well as people you are meeting for the first time. You will also work on applying the conversational skills you have learnt thus far.
18.2 Stages of a Conversation Every interaction that we have falls in a different stage of conversation. In the earlier lesson, you learnt about correct sequencing of thoughts when writing and speaking. The spoken sequence chain can be sorted into different segments. We will call these segments the Stages of Conversation. The table below explains the various stages of conversation. Read it carefully and understand it. It will be a good idea to know the stages well, and the kinds of interactions that take place in each stage. Knowing this will help you in those times when you may need to overcome an awkward silence. 1
STAGES OF CONVERSATION Stage Opening Warming up
Phase Good Morning/Hello This is/It’s … I’d like to speak to … MayCould/Can I speak to …?
Giving the message
I’m phoning about… Could you give X a message?
Rounding off
Thanks for your help. Fine/great/OK. I look forward to seeing/meeting you. Goodbye (then). Goodbye for now.
Closing
Possible Response Good Morning/Hello. Who’s calling, please? Just a minute, I’ll put you through. Please hold on for a moment. Please stay on the line, I’ll get him/her. Nice to hear from you. I’m sorry she’s/he’s not in. The line’s busy. Will you hold? I’ll give him/her the message. Thank you for calling. OK/Right/Fine Me too. Goodbye. ‘Bye.
18.3 Meeting and Greeting People People interact with other people all the time. It is important to know how to begin conversations. It is equally important to know how to respond to (or reply) other people. Very often, we find ourselves talking comfortably with someone. However, we may not know how to end a conversation in a polite way. This section will help you learn conversational skills in the areas of meeting and greeting people you know already as well as people you are meeting for the first time. You will then get to apply these skills through exercises. • •
Meeting and greeting; starting, developing and ending a conversation Introducing oneself and others The following are examples of different ways you can interact with and have conversations with friends, acquaintances and strangers.
18.3.1 People you know already Greetings
2
Beginning How are you?
Replying Fine, thanks. I’m very well.
Lines That Help Start Conversation
Lines That Help Close Conversation
How are things? How’s it going? How’s work? How’s your family? I haven’t seen you for a while. See you soon/later. I must be going. I’ll be in touch.
No, I’ve been busy/out of town. Great. O.K./ Fine/ Not too bad Fine, thanks. And yours? No. I’ve been busy/away See you soon/ Goodbye/Bye/Bye for now (Any one of these responses will be correct)
18.3.2 People you have never met before Introductions
Greetings Lines That Help Start Conversation
Lines That Help Close Conversation
Beginning May/Can I introduce myself/my (colleague/brother/friend/ …) How do you do?* Pleased to meet you. Have you been here long? Have you been here before?
Replying Nice to meet you.
How do you do? Glad to meet you too. No, I’ve just arrived. No, this is my first visit/Yes, I came last year. Yes, it is.
Lovely weather, isn’t it? (I’m) glad/pleased to have met you. It’s been very interesting talking to you.
(It’s) nice to have met you too. If you’re ever in …you must get in touch.
*NOTE: Saying “How do you do?” is common in English and usually accompanies the shaking of hands. (Remember, this is only when meeting that person for the first time.) Given below are some conversation starters. It is imperative that you understand them very well before you use them. It will be a good idea to practice using these in mock conversations with other students in this class. This way, you will begin to get comfortable with them. Be careful when choosing the starters. Make sure you pick the ones that are relevant to the context. Model Conversation Starters during introductions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Good Morning! Good Evening! Good Afternoon! How are you? My name’s…….. How do you do? Are you…….? I work in ……………
3
9. 10. 11. 12.
I just graduated from DEI in ……………… I’d like to introduce……………… I’d like you to meet…………….. Have you met…………. Here are some additional miscellaneous conversation starters:-
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Do you prefer…? Would you prefer…? Which do you prefer…? We could choose either this or that. You may choose either (any). My preference would be….. ….would be a better choice. Could you do something for me? Does she know how to….? Do you think he is capable of….? I know I can…. I can definitely…. Certainly, …. I don’t know how to…. I’m not certain I can…. I don’t have an idea how…. I have had experience with…. I can …. I was thinking…. I am sure that…. Am I required…. I would appreciate it if… I don’t think it is necessary…. My opinion is…. I’m afraid….
18.3.3 Looking at a Conversation Look at the conversation below. Think about the various stages of the conversation. Can you identify the various stages of the conversation?
4
A:
Good evening, Ma’am. May I come in?
S:
Yes. Please come in. Have a seat.
A:
Thank you, Ma’am. My father’s hosting a small party for a few friends on Saturday. It would give us great pleasure if you were able to attend.
S:
What’s the occasion?
A:
My sister just got engaged to be married. celebration.
We are having a small
S:
I see. What time is the party?
A:
Around 7 o’clock. Will it be possible for you to come to the party, Ma’am?
S:
Yes, I shall be there.
A:
Thank you very much. Good evening, Ma’am.
S:
Good evening.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to see if you understood the conversation: 1. 2. 3. 4.
What is the relationship between the two speakers? What is he inviting her for? When is the party? What time will it be held? What is special about the town or region you live in? What would particularly interest a visitor? Make a list of twelve points – some positive, some negative – that would give visitors a good picture of your part of the world. Compare lists in your group.
18.4 Social Language Different situations and environments require different types of interactions and language. Your choice of words affects how others perceive and understand you. Look at the table below. This table is a checklist with appropriate words to use when you are discussing places with people.
5
First visit a. Is this your first visit? b. Have you been to … before?
2
Impressions a. What do you think of …? b. Do you like …? c. How do you like the weather? d. How do you find the people?
3
Experiences a. What have you seen so far?
b. Have you been to …?
4
Likes/dislikes/preferences a. What do you like best?
b. Anything you don’t like?
5
6
Food How do you like the food?
Plans a. What do you plan to do while you’re here?
b. Will you come back?
6
Yes, it’s my first time. Yes, I came three years ago.
(I think) it’s really nice. Yes, it’s wonderful. It’s a bit cold, but nice. Really nice, and very friendly.
Not much yet. I’ve Just walked around the main shopping area. Yes, it’s a fascinating place.
I don’t know really.I think I prefer the beach. I’m not too keen on the congested roads.
It’s very different. I really enjoy the food it’s very tasty.
I’d like to visit the old buildings and do some shopping. Yes, I’d love to. I’d like to come with my family on holiday.
18.5 Common Time Related Errors Very often, we use incorrect words to express different ideas that are related to time. Given below are the most commonly made “Time Related Errors”. INSTEAD OF SAYING….. 1. Today morning 2. Today afternoon 3. Today evening 4. Today night 5. Yesterday evening 6 One week before 7. One week later 8. After 3 days 9. After 1 week 10. After 1 hour 11. 3 days before 12. The day before yesterday night
SAY…….. 1. This morning 2. This afternoon 3. This evening 4. Tonight 5. Last evening 6 Last week 7. Next week 8. In 3 days’ time 9. In 1 week’s time 10. In an hour’s time 11. 3 days back 12. The night before last
Self-Check Questions Fill in the blanks 1. Opening a phone call: Hello, this is Rahul, can I speak to Pooja? Response: ______________________________ 2. Closing a call: Thank you for all the help, I really appreciate it. Response: ______________________________ 3. Meeting someone you know after a long time: Hi, how are you doing? Response: ______________________________
18.6 Summing Up In this unit you learnt how to • • • • • •
Identify different stages of conversations Use correct conversation starters, responses and conversation enders in dialogue Develop a conversation appropriately Meet and Greet people appropriately Use appropriate Social Language Identify and rectify Common Time Related Errors 7
It is essential that you pay attention to some of the key phrases in various stages of conversations that take place around you. Gradually, start consciously using these phrases in your conversations. The more different phrases you use the easier it will be to use them appropriately in different contexts. As always, we recommend that you continue to read extensively and participate in conversations in English as much as possible.
18.7 Answers to Self-Check Questions 1. Response: Please hold on for a moment / stay on the line for a minute please etc. 2. Response: you are welcome / no problem, I am glad to have been of assistance. 3. Response: am doing great, good to see you after such a long time / am fine, how are you?
18.8 References 1. Walker, Michael. Success – Communicating in English. United States of America: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1994 2. Jones-Macziola, Sarah, and Greg White. Getting Ahead. Learner’s Book, and Home Study Book. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001 3. Rau, Sadasiva VN. Speak Better English. Chennai: Sura College of Competition 4. Werner, Patricia K. and Mary Mitchell Church. Interactions II A Communicative Grammar. New York: Random House, Inc., 1985 5. Broukal, Milada. Weaving It Together. Massachusetts: Heinle & Heinle Publishers A Division of Wadsworth, Inc., 1994 6. Ferreira, Linda A. Beginnings 1. United States of America: Newbury House Publishers, Inc.,1985 7. Comfort, Jeremy, Pamela Rogerson, Trish Stott, and Derek Utley. Speaking Effectively. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, First South Asian Edition Second Reprint, 2002 8. Gill, Mary McVey, and Pamela Hartmann. Tapestry Listening and Speaking 2. United States of America: Heinle & Heinle Thomson Learning, 2000 9. Cholij, Mark, and Geetha Nagaraj. English Basics a companion to Grammar and Writing. Cambridge: The Press Syndicate of The University of Cambridge, 2004 10. Syamala, V. Effective English Communication for You. Chennai: Emerald Publishers, 2003
8
18.9 Glossary • •
Developing: expand; build upon Interact: work together; cooperate; intermingle
9