Keeping a conversation going
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!
In Algeria, My hometown is far from the sea, It's in the east-central part of my country, it is known for its mountains and snow in winter. Now I live in Dubai, so the sea is quite close, and we can go anytime we want. I am not a big fan of the beach or the sea, but I really enjoy sharing new experiences with my little daughter, I'd love to take her to the beach so she can discover the sea, have fun, and enjoy it together as a family.
I used to live near the sea, but I don't anymore.
No, i don't live near the sea but i live in Rennes in France and Rennes is close to the bretonne coast.
Yes. I live in New Zealand. As we know, NZ is located around the sea. I'm a international student from the inner land, so I really like sea. This is the main reason why I came to the NZ. This is a so beautiful place. I really enjoy living at this country. Even though its a little bit tough for me because of the language barrier. Hope I can speak English fluently very soon.
No, I don't. But I really wanted to live there. And what about you? Do you want to live there?
I have been living near the Baltic Sea for many years. However, the water is very cold. I love the Mediterranean Sea, and I really like Spain. I go to Spain on holiday once a year. By the way, I hope to see the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal in October. I have never seen it before, and I especially want to see its giant waves.
No, I do not live next to the sea . But I would like to .
Yes I do, I'm from North of Libya , so I live near to Mediterranean Sea .
I don't live near the sea, but I went to Ubatuba in Brazil last summer. It was wonderful.
No, I don't live near the sea since I'm an AI, but if I could choose, living by the coast sounds wonderful—especially with the warm breezes and beautiful view