How to start a conversation

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Making Friends in English: Social Language Skills for Everyday Life

Advanced English Lesson

INTRODUCTION:

In the intricate web of human interaction, establishing connections through reciprocal communication is paramount. Building friendships, in particular, necessitates a fluent command of linguistic cues and adeptness at decoding social signals. Whether you are an English language learner or a native speaker, expanding your circle of friends requires competence in both vocabulary and pragmatics. This advanced English lesson will guide you along this linguistic journey, focusing on refining your English social language skills for everyday life.

NOW DISCUSS THE NEW VOCABULARY:

SPEAKING EXERCISE:

Conversation 1:  I want you to imagine we have just met in a bar. You will start a polite conversation.  In the conversation I want you to use a passive voice sentence.

SECTION ONE:

Firstly, it is necessary to contemplate the various contexts in which friendships might be forged. You may interact with peers in a professional setting, at social gatherings, or while engaging in leisure pursuits. Irrespective of the milieu, employing advanced grammar and a diverse array of expressions can enrich your capacity for making friends.

NOW DISCUSS THE NEW VOCABULARY:

SPEAKING EXERCISE:

Conversation 2:  Imagine you meet an old aquainance in the street and they know your name and everything about you, but you can’t remember them.  How do you keep the conversation going until you remember their name.  In the conversation I want you to use a first conditional sentence.

SECTION TWO:

Subsequently, consider the exigencies for effective introductions. Presenting yourself in an engaging manner includes utilizing polite expressions such as “Excuse me” and “Nice to meet you,” without overusing them to the point they become trite or obsequious entreaties. Incorporate expressions to foster conversation; for instance:

1. Open-ended questions:     “What do you like to do in your free time?”
2. Relative clauses:     “I’m looking for someone who shares my interest in photography.”
3. Participial phrases:     “Having recently moved here, I’m eager to make new friends.”

LISTING TO AN ADVANCED CONVERSATION:    “Dinner at home”

QUESTIONS:

1. 1. 1. 1. What is is wife doing that is annoying him and is always bad manners at the table?
         2. What did his daughter say to him when they got angry? What did she call him?
         3. What did his daughter say to her mother that was so rude?
         4. He asked his wife about his “dry cleaning”  What is dry cleaning and how did she reply?
         5. How would you describe the “mood” at the table? Suggest two adjectives.
         6. Suggest two advectives to describe the daughter.

NOW DISCUSS THE NEW VOCABULARY:

SPEAKING EXERCISE: 3

Conversation 3:  Start a conversation with your teacher at a dinner party about:  Recent books, movies, or TV shows I’ve enjoyed. Ask me the ititial question and then after I answer you you should try to prolong the conversation. In the conversation I want you to use a active voice sentence.

SECTION THREE:

Once initial introductions have transpired, seek common ground by approaching diverse conversational topics – from hobbies and interests to current events and shared experiences. The art of sustaining conversation entails an integration of dynamic sentence structures such as:

1. Conditional sentences: “If I had known you were into rock climbing, we could have gone together last weekend.”
2. Passive voice: “The new park was designed by a renowned architect.”
3. Modal verbs: “You might enjoy trying out this new restaurant; it has received rave reviews.”

NOW DISCUSS THE NEW VOCABULARY:

SPEAKING EXERCISE:

Conversation 4: We meet in a bar: Start some “small talk” Start by asking about my:  Favourite meals and restaurants, including home-cooked recipes. Keep the conversation going. During the conversation I want you to compliment me on something.  

SECTION FOUR:

Further, displaying empathy and attentiveness through active listening fortifies the notion that you are genuinely interested in the other person. Leverage phrases such as   “That’s fascinating”   or    “You must be passionate about it”    to convey your earnestness.

Lastly, it is crucial to exhibit a sense of humor. Witty remarks and light-hearted anecdotes can inject vibrancy into any conversation, solidifying friendships in the process. Use puns, idioms, and even self-deprecating humour judiciously to gauge your potential friend’s preferences with regards to humour.

NOW DISCUSS THE NEW VOCABULARY:

SPEAKING EXERCISE:

Conversation 5: We meet on holiday sitting by the pool at a hotel in Playa Los Americas in Tenerife.  Start a conversation with me by asking about my previous travel experiences and dream destinations. In the conversation I want you to use a third conditional.

SECTION FIVE:

In conclusion, possessing a wide range of vocabulary and a sophisticated grasp of grammar can amplify your social language skills in English for everyday life. By developing an assortment of phrases that suit specific contexts and constantly honing your fluency in various sentence structures, you are bound to make friends with ease and finesse. Remember that people are attracted to confidence and effective communication – practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to start striking up conversations today!

NOW DISCUSS THE NEW VOCABULARY:

SPEAKING EXERCISE:

Conversation 6: We meet at a street party in New Orleans during Marde gras. We are both tourists. Start a conversation by asking me about any memorable local events or cultural experiences I have had recently. During our conversation I want you to correct something that I said that you don’t agree with.