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.

Why?

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.

Why?

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.Why? 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.