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 my case, I don't live near the sea, but I used to in the past. A few years ago, I lived in Barcelona and it was a great experience to be near the coast. Today, I live near the mountains, so I have completely changed my scenery. Nowadays, I prefer the quiet of the mountains, but I keep many good memories of my afternoons on Barceloneta beach.
I don't live near the sea. I have to drive 8 hours to get to the seaside. I live near mountains.
No, I don't live near the sea.
No, I don’t live near the sea. But I really enjoy visiting the seaside. It’s so relaxing.
No but i live near the Nile River
Unfortunately, I don’t live near the sea, but I spent a couple of weeks there during my holidays. I visited Aqaba in Jordan and Çıralı in Antalya. It was a wonderful time. I relaxed, read books, and enjoyed sea activities. I also had lovely conversations with local people.
Yes. In the province we're living near the sea, but now I live here in Manila. Looking forward to having a vacation this year.
Do you live near the sea?
Nope, but I hope one day I will. I dream of having a big house by the sea, close to nature.
Yes, I lived near the sea in Flic en Flac. It was great. Every weekend, I would go to relax on the beach and have a good time.