The Secret to Having Amazing Conversations in English

Summary

In this video, Keith from Keith Speaking Academy shares tips for having engaging English conversations. He emphasizes starting with open-ended questions that prompt detailed responses, developing conversations by building on themes, and changing topics smoothly using phrases like 'Anyway' and 'By the way.' Keith also advises on politely ending conversations and offers a free PDF for further practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start conversations with questions that invite detailed responses, such as 'What have you been up to lately?'
• 🚀 Focus on asking better questions to elicit better answers and keep the conversation flowing.
• 🛒 Develop conversations by taking the last theme discussed and expanding it into a new theme.
• 🎯 Use everyday topics like shopping to naturally lead into deeper or more personal discussions.
• 👮‍♂️ Avoid sounding like an interrogator by not only relying on question words like 'where', 'what', and 'how'.
• 🔄 Use 'anyway' to smoothly transition to a new topic in a conversation.
• 🗣️ Employ 'by the way' to introduce a new subject while acknowledging the current discussion.
• 🏁 Know how to end a conversation politely by expressing the need to leave or suggesting the other person is busy.
• 📚 Practice conversation skills in breakout rooms with other learners to build confidence.
• 🌟 Subscribe to Keith's channel and consider his online course for more English conversation practice.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Keith's video?

The main focus of Keith's video is to provide tips and strategies for having amazing conversations in English, covering how to start, develop, change topics, and end conversations politely.

Why do real-life conversations in English often pose a challenge for students?

Real-life conversations in English can be challenging for students because they don't follow a script and can change direction suddenly, unlike classroom settings where dialogues are more structured.

What is the first tip Keith gives for starting a conversation?

Keith suggests asking open-ended questions like 'What have you been up to lately?' instead of simple greetings that may lead to short responses.

How does Keith recommend developing a conversation?

Keith recommends taking the last theme someone talked about and developing it into a new theme, rather than using a series of question words which can make the conversation feel like an interrogation.

What is an example of a more natural conversation according to Keith?

A more natural conversation, according to Keith, involves taking the theme of shopping and developing it into feelings about shopping and then into the price of goods, as opposed to a simple question-answer format.

What is the 'secret' Keith mentions for developing a conversation?

The 'secret' is to take the theme from the previous speaker and develop it into a new theme, which makes the conversation flow more naturally.

How does Keith suggest changing topics in a conversation?

Keith suggests using expressions like 'Anyway' with a falling intonation or 'By the way' to indicate a change in topic and to make the transition feel natural.

What is the significance of the word 'Anyway' in conversation according to Keith?

The word 'Anyway' is used to signal a change in topic and is typically said with a falling intonation to indicate a turn in the conversation.

How does Keith recommend ending a conversation politely?

Keith suggests politely ending a conversation by stating that you need to go, using phrases like 'I've got to go' or 'I must be off,' or by acknowledging the other person's time with phrases like 'I don't want to keep you' or 'I'll let you get on.'

What resources does Keith offer for further practice?

Keith offers a free PDF with a summary of the conversation tips and an online course called 'IELTS Speaking Success: Get a Band 7+ GOLD' with daily online breakout rooms for additional practice.

What is the benefit of joining Keith's online course for English conversation practice?

Joining Keith's online course allows students to practice speaking English with others from around the world, build confidence, and potentially improve their IELTS speaking test scores.