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

Download
Worksheet95.48 KB

Language level

Average: 4.1 (38 votes)

Submitted by Eman Samir on Sun, 02/04/2023 - 21:12

Permalink

Do you live near the sea?

No, I live in a small city in Egypt. It's full of green fields.

Submitted by Ibrahimyousef on Sat, 01/04/2023 - 13:29

Permalink

Actually, l live a near the mountain in the city center in addition to my country is not find a river yet fourthermore, I like to live a near river it is stunning view.

Submitted by mariakiss on Thu, 16/03/2023 - 14:04

Permalink

No, I live in the northern part of Thailand so here, there is no sea unfortunately. But we have lots of mountains! and beautiful landscapes of jungles. I guess this can be replaced by the sea.

Submitted by loanphuong on Mon, 06/03/2023 - 04:44

Permalink

I had lived near the mountain before. I live in the big city now, not near the sea. I prefer mountains or the plain to the sea. Sometimes, I go on vacation by the sea on my holiday, but I do not want to live near the sea.

Submitted by mohsen8869 on Tue, 28/02/2023 - 18:08

Permalink

actually, i am living in a city locates 150 km away from the sea. to be honest, i dont prefer living near the sea althought it is lovely to visit the beach from time to time and have nice events there.

Submitted by Masimo on Fri, 17/02/2023 - 16:07

Permalink

no but i used go to me aunte's house because she live near the sea and i really liked the place there.

Submitted by dieptieuyen on Fri, 17/02/2023 - 11:26

Permalink

I used to live near the mountain, but now I'm living in a city center.

Submitted by Kayyu on Wed, 25/01/2023 - 11:31

Permalink

I am from Myanmar. I used to live in Thailand. I can speak Thai but not much.

Submitted by arunvp21 on Sun, 22/01/2023 - 09:31

Permalink

No, I am not living near the sea. i like to live near falls

Submitted by Ridho Rachman on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 04:58

Permalink

let me think, actually i don't live near the sea although my province has sea boarder in north. i know what the question means. as a big city, Jakarta has not taken care its sea in a good way. Anyway, I love the sea. Last year, I got almost half a day by bus to find a lovely beach.