GOOD CONVERSATION STRATEGIES BCNC Foundations 3 / Caitlin Jacobs

Conversation Strategies  We will often discuss things in pairs and in groups.  If you want your conversations to be fun, interesting, and useful, you must use good conversation strategies.  First, let’s watch a video of some students discussing a topic. Would you want to join this discussion? What kinds of problems do you see?

Use Good Body Language  Maintain eye contact  Smile and be friendly and attentive

Eye Contact: Where to Look Having a very close relationship

Eye Contact Is Not Staring!  Don’t confuse good eye contact during a conversation with staring! Americans believe eye contact shows respect and attentiveness, but staring is rude and creepy.

Use Rejoinders  Rejoinder = a small reply  I see.  Really?  Uh-huh. / Mhmm.  That’s great.  That’s too bad.  I didn’t know that.  You’re kidding!  Oh! Using rejoinders shows the speaker that you’re listening and that you’re interested.

Practice: Rejoinders & Body Language  Person A: Describe a typical day or week for you. What do you usually do every day / every week? Keep talking.  Person B: Listen and use rejoinders. Make eye contact.

Ask Follow-Up Questions  Theses are additional questions about the topic.  Example:  A: Why are you studying English?  B: I want to go to an American college.  A: Oh really? What do you want to study?  B: Well, it will probably be difficult, but I want to study nursing.  A: That’s great. ________? Follow-up question Can you think of another follow-up question?

Practice: Follow-up Questions  Ask me, “Tell me about your family.” I will answer. Continue asking me follow-up questions.  Person A: Ask B, “What’s the biggest difference between your country and the US?” Continue asking follow-up questions.  Person B: Answer A’s questions. Asking follow-up questions helps the conversation continue and shows that you’re interested.

Involving Someone  This means you bring a quiet person into the conversation.  If someone is shy or hasn’t spoken yet, say:  Don’t you agree, John?  What do you think, John?  You’re very quiet, John.  How about you, John?

Summary  Maintain eye contact.  Be attentive and use good body language.  Ask follow-up questions.  Use rejoinders.  “Oh really?” “I see.” “That’s interesting.”  Involve everyone.  If someone is too quiet, bring them into the conversation.

Try It! 1. Each person will receive 2 cards. 2. One card has a topic. Write any question you want about this topic. 3. One card has a conversation strategy. Try to use this strategy as much as you can while you talk. 4. Find a conversation partner. Ask each other your questions. Use all the good conversation strategies, especially the one on your card. 5. When the teacher says “Change!” exchange your cards. Find a new partner.