MAKING CONVERSATION

THE ART OF CONVERSATION

START

Do you consider yourself a good conversationalist?

What do you usually talk about with your friends?

Can you think of any bad habits that people have in conversations?

Jessica

On line

Hi, Jack! Did you have a good weekend?

Yes

Me too. It was awesome! I watched the new Spiderman movie

Have you seen it?

No

Jessica

On line

Hi, Jack! Did you have a good weekend?

Well, I didn't do much, so it wasn't that interesting

Sorry to hear that. I watched the new Spiderman movie

Have you seen it?

I'm so jealous!

I haven't had the chance, but hopefully I will see it tomorrow

• Don't be afraid.
• The point is get to know the people around you.
• Use a "cliff hanger"
• Try to avoid questions that can be answered with just "yes" or "no".
• Don't just answer "yes" or "no".

It's okay if you need some time to think

Filler words

• Let me think about that...
• That's a difficult /interesting question
• I haven't thought of that before
• Well...
• So...
• I don't know how to explain it

Agree or disagree?

We all think differently, so when somebody says something, we might not think the same as that person. In those situations is important to know how to express our opinions respectfully.

EXPRESSING ONE'S OPINION

AGREE WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINION

• I (completely) agree with you.
• That's just what I was thinking.
• That's a good point because...

• That's a good point.
• I couldn't agree more.
• X raised some good points.
• We are of the same mind.

• I believe / consider / feel that...
• In my opinion...
• As far as I'm concerned...
• In my experience...
• The way I see it...
• From my point of view...
• It seems to me that...

DISAGREE WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINION

• I (completely) disagree with you because...
• I'm sorry to disagree with you.
• Yes, but don't you think that...?
• I don't think so.
• I'm not sure about that.

• That's not the point
• Nonsense!
• You're off your head!