Keeping a conversation going

In this video, Noelia and Bob talk about Spain. Listen to the language they use for keeping a conversation going and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!

Do you know what to say when you want to keep a conversation going? Listen out for useful language for keeping a conversation going. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Noelia: Hi, Bob!

Bob: Oh, morning, Noelia.

Noelia: So, what's new? 

Bob: New, hmm, let me think. Hmm … Nothing much. Oh, hang on. My dog Bertie had his 14th birthday on Monday! 

Noelia: Oh, he's getting old then?

Bob: I guess so … but not as old as his owner. 

Noelia: Haha … er, anyway …

Bob: How about you, Noelia? How's it going? 

Noelia: Great, actually. Yeah … all good.

Bob: By the way, I wanted to ask you, where in Spain are you from?

Noelia: I'm from Santander.

Bob: Oh, lovely. Wonderful to grow up near the sea. 

Noelia: Yeah, it was perfect. Ah, I miss the sea. 

Bob: I know what you mean. I used to live in Spain and I absolutely loved it.

Noelia: Really? I didn't know that, Bob! 

Bob: Yeah, I had a little bar on the Costa Brava.

Noelia: Wow! So do you speak Spanish then?

Bob: Oh, not much. Ah, those were the days! Excuse me. Perdona, Noelia. Tengo que irme. Me necesitan en el segundo piso. ¡Hasta pronto! [Excuse me, Noelia. I've got to go. They need me on the second floor. See you soon!]

Noelia: Wow! 


 

Ana: Hello again! Wow! Bob is full of surprises. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for keeping a conversation going? Listen to me and then repeat.

 

So, what's new? 

Let me think ... 

Nothing much. 

Anyway …

How about you, Noelia? 

How's it going? 

By the way, I wanted to ask you ... 

I know what you mean.

Really? I didn't know that! 

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to keep a conversation going in English. Bye for now! 

Discussion

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Average: 4 (30 votes)

Submitted by Marina Hornus on Sun, 29/11/2020 - 12:28

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Hello, I do not live near a beach. That is fine for me because I do not like beaches, and neither living on a side sea beach. I only visited hot beaches where the sun is so strong and I feel that I burn in that kind of place. Maybe you know that in Latin countries it is common that women take sunbathe and they think they are more fashionable with dark skin. I do not like to take sunbathe, I think that is dangerous for your skin. Also, it is not enjoyable for me been lying on the beach taking the sun, it is like you are cooking something. In summary, I enjoy living near a River where you have trees and you can swim better than in the sea.

Submitted by farhad zada on Wed, 25/11/2020 - 07:04

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I live near the Caspian Sea which we call as 'Khazar Danizi'. I love sea, lake, river and so

Submitted by Pola on Tue, 24/11/2020 - 14:10

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Yes, I do, I was born and raised in a small village by the sea and I'm still living in this village, so I'm used to see the sea everyday.

Submitted by fariba on Tue, 24/11/2020 - 09:49

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no, unfortunately i live don't near the sea.

Submitted by Sana Omar on Sun, 22/11/2020 - 12:55

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No, fortunately. I don't live near the sea; I used to live in the mountains. But now I'm living near the Nile river.

Submitted by O'Prata on Sun, 15/11/2020 - 05:18

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Yes, I do. I live near the sea, but it's been more than 8 years I don't touch that water. LOL! Actually, the people who usually come to see the sea live far away from the district I live in.
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Submitted by Mr.hanymabrok on Thu, 12/11/2020 - 05:43

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I have suggestion, if any body need to connect me to practice this conversations lessons together I think that will be more useful, I hope to find class mate for that. Thanks for all
Hi, Mr Hanymabrok. I'm Farhad from Azerbaijan. I'll be happy. Actually I wanted to write this and i seen your comment. This is my whatsapp ---------------

Hello Farhad,

I'm afraid our House rules don't allow you to share personal information such as your phone number. You might want to have a look at our Facebook page.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team