Conversations in Class A2_book1

Sounding Natural

5 - Expressing uncertainty

7 - Asking for repetition

You want to get your partner to repeat what they said.

You want to respond quickly, but you are not sure of what to say.

You can say: • 6orry"

You can say:

• I'm not sure. • Ζ can’t really say • Ζt GepenGs on a • I don't really know. • %eats Pe

• 3arGon Pe " • (xcuse Pe" • &oPe aJain" casual • &oulG you repeat that please"

You can add a short comment after "I don't know" or just make a very approximate guess to avoid soun ding too abrupt.

It's perfectly fine to express that you don’t have an answer to the question you have been asked, or that you don’t have an opinion on it. Even saying this will help you avoid silence and keep the conversation moving. You can add a short comment after "I don't know" or just make a very approximate guess to avoid soun ding too abrupt.

8 - Saying you don't understand

You want to signal that you don't understand, if your conversation partner uses a word or phrase you don’t know.

You can say:

Examples: • Ζ Gon’t knowȐ :hy not check the Ζnternet" • %eats Pe 6oPethinJ like yen Paybe"

• I'm sorry, I don't understand. • 6orry what Goes a Pean"

9 - Asking how to say something

6 - Getting time to think

You want to reply to a question, but you don’t know the appropriate word or phrase.

You want to buy yourself some time because you need a few moments to think of a response.

You can say:

• How Go you say a in (nJlish" • :hat s a in (nJlish"

You can say: • 8PPȐ • $hhȐ • HPPȐ • Well...

Sometimes it is difficult to find the word you want to use. If your partner doesn't know, you could ask another classmate or your teacher. Don't worry about struggling a bit to get your meaning across- it is much better than falling into silence.

• /et Pe seeȐ • /et’s seeȐ

• That's a good question. • 7hat s a Giɝcult Tuestion.

10 - Asking for details

You want to reply to to find out more detailed information, when someone gives you a short or vague answer.

To avoid silence, fill the gap in the conversation with a “thinking sound” or phrases

English learners often make these sounds in their native language without thinking. Practicing English versions may feel strange at first, but it will make a big difference.

You can say:

• :hereabouts" • )or exaPple" • /ike what" • :ha Tuestions who" what" when" where" why" how" etc.

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Strategies