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: 4.3 (51 votes)
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Submitted by chanthar on Sun, 04/05/2025 - 02:23

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I don't live near the sea. I used to live far from the sea.

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Submitted by M_Rad on Sun, 27/04/2025 - 16:44

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Having grown up near the coast in Libya, I developed a deep appreciation for the sea.

Submitted by GayaneGh on Sat, 26/04/2025 - 13:03

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I am not leave near the see, but I used to arrive every summer for vacation. I have a dream to build the house on the beach. It's a big deal for me.

Submitted by MMusa on Mon, 21/04/2025 - 12:42

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I didn't live near the sea, but I spent my hole Life living near the river. Nile river, it's a wonderful experience to live near the river, the sun rises and it's reflection on the river's water is a cenamatic scene, it's a therapy. When you got bored you can go for a walk by the river's shore and take a coup of tea while watching the sun set. It's an amazing experience 

Submitted by le thien on Thu, 17/04/2025 - 09:03

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Honestly , I used to live near the sea because I was born in Danang City, VietNam. It's a beautiful city and I loved it, currently I'm living in Poland, but I'm planing to visit next year.

Submitted by paly_v on Thu, 10/04/2025 - 17:57

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Hello everybody, I’m not living near the sea, but I like going to the sea at holiday with my family. Specially during Khmer new year every year.

Submitted by Zed-TW on Thu, 03/04/2025 - 07:06

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Yes, I live in the Northeastern part of a place in Taiwan called Keelung, which is one of the nearest cities to the sea on this island. Keelung is known for a variety of fresh seafood and natural landscapes along its coastline. Many people from the nearby areas, like Taipei and New Taipei, will visit Keelung on weekends to buy seafood and go sightseeing along the coastline, and they will enjoy their dinner at the famous night market in Keelung to end their day.      

Hi everyone! I used to live near the sea but now I live far from this beautiful place. I had to leave my native town and my country. I miss it so much. I hope, I'll be able to return and enjoy living there till the end of my life

Submitted by dlbrgizem on Thu, 27/03/2025 - 12:05

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ı used to lıve near the sea but now I am living far from the sea. bacause ı married with my love and we left from our city. 

Submitted by DUONG_LONG on Mon, 24/03/2025 - 08:16

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I don't live near the sea. I live in the center of Ho Chi Minh city, a place far from the sea.

If you want a beach, you can visit Can Gio. It takes about 2 hour to get there. However, you can't swim . That beach is not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and underwater rocks.

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