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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Language level

Average: 4.2 (57 votes)

Submitted by Triglace on Mon, 03/11/2025 - 21:47

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No, I have never lived near the sea. By the way, I'd like to someday.

Submitted by amir.masoud on Tue, 28/10/2025 - 03:37

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I didn't live in near sea but I very like live there because that weather is very nice and you can see a beautifull view and go to the beach.

Hi, I live in Riohacha, La Gujirara - Colombia, the city is boardered by the caribean sea. Its sunny all the time, the sunsets are fantastic and the people is always happy, They celebrate everything. I love this type of relationship and nehiborhood.

Submitted by Merlin on Fri, 17/10/2025 - 17:48

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No, i don't. I think it must be a great experience. But, i'm not sure i wannt to try it.

Submitted by Kevin AGONGNON on Thu, 16/10/2025 - 20:13

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No, I have never lived near the sea. But I would like to live near the sea in Hawaii or somewhere else.

Submitted by bety_ on Wed, 15/10/2025 - 00:04

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No i don't. However, i always dream of having my own house near the sea because of the remarkable view at sunrise and sunset.

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Submitted by Orcklyx_Anato on Sat, 11/10/2025 - 16:06

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No, I don't. However, I will really like to live near the sea in view to have that sight on the sea at the sunrise and the sunset. It will be beautiful, calm and relaxing.

Submitted by asmaa.tarek200 on Tue, 30/09/2025 - 22:08

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No I don't but i wish i have a home near the sea to wake up one  day and see this wonderful view . OH , i think it was inspire .

 

Submitted by mohamedyassergareep on Sat, 27/09/2025 - 17:30

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i live in a big city near the sea and the beach it has always been a part of my life

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