language learning center · B1 · Lesson 10
Maintaining longer conversations
Connect ideas, share the floor, repair uncertainty, and close a longer exchange naturally.
Understand and learn
Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.
Owen
Working with people from different backgrounds has changed how I communicate.
Owen offers a reflective topic for discussion.
Nina
I’ve had a similar experience. I used to focus on speaking correctly, whereas now I focus more on being clear.
Nina relates her experience and develops the idea.
Owen
That makes sense. When you say “being clear,” do you mean using simpler language?
Owen acknowledges the idea and checks meaning.
Nina
Partly, yes, but also checking that the other person has understood. I’d like to hear how you handle that.
Nina clarifies, adds a point, and returns the floor.
Notice, try, and speak
Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.
Useful words and phrases
These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.
I’ve had a similar experience.
Connect with the speaker’s topic.
I’ve had a similar experience. I used to focus on speaking correctly, whereas now I focus more on being clear.
That makes sense.
Acknowledge before adding a view.
That makes sense. When you say “being clear,” do you mean using simpler language?
When you say…, do you mean…?
Check your understanding.
That makes sense. When you say “being clear,” do you mean using simpler language?
Another point is…
Develop the topic further.
Another point is…
I’d like to hear your view.
Return the conversational floor.
Partly, yes, but also checking that the other person has understood. I’d like to hear how you handle that.
Notice, try, and speak
Which response both develops the topic and returns the floor?
Make it yours
Hold a two-minute exchange using acknowledgment, clarification, a related experience, and an invitation.
Choose a topic you can explore from more than one perspective.
Use it with someone
Sustain a balanced conversation in English
- 1. I’ve had a similar experience.
- 2. That makes sense.
- 3. When you say…, do you mean…?
- 4. Another point is…
- 5. I’d like to hear your view.