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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Worksheet95.48 KB

Language level

Average: 4.2 (58 votes)
Profile picture for user sdk.hlms

Submitted by sdk.hlms on Sun, 21/09/2025 - 10:19

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I just moved a city which is near by the sea. I used to live in a little town without sea

 

Submitted by chandler02 on Wed, 03/09/2025 - 03:30

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Do you live near the sea?

No, I live in downtown, I like sea but don't want swimming. I like see the sunset into the ocean, so when I get more older than now, I will stay in near the sea more worming area.

Submitted by Benjaminn on Mon, 01/09/2025 - 11:30

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I was born in a small seaside village, so the sea has always been a part of my life. My father was a fisherman, and our family depended on this work. When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a fisherman too because it seemed so exciting. But as I grew older, I realized how difficult and exhausting the job was, and I began to dislike it. Now, I no longer follow this path. Still, the sea has a deep influence on me—it feels like a part of who I am. I love the sea because it always brings me peace. Thank you to the British Council for creating such a useful webpage!
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Submitted by Kamsotse on Tue, 12/08/2025 - 21:25

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I live near the sea. It is nice to go to the beach when the place is not cold. Unfortunately, the weather is not on my advantage here. Indeed, we can have a temperature of 12 degrees in summer. So, I don't really take advantage of the seaside.

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Submitted by WAJD. on Thu, 24/07/2025 - 11:32

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No, I don’t live near the sea, but I want to because it makes me feel relaxed and calm.

 

 

Submitted by amira fadel on Tue, 22/07/2025 - 09:35

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no i do not live near the sea but I used to spend my summer holiday every year in Newdamietta city where the sea is wonderful.

 

Profile picture for user Sara Moustafa

Submitted by Sara Moustafa on Sat, 05/07/2025 - 18:03

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I live in Alxandria, It has the mediterrarean sea. I used to go beach with my family every summer. I realli like swimming. 

Submitted by lau0503vmed_ on Mon, 23/06/2025 - 12:50

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Yes, I do! My city doesn´t have sea but there was a city nearly that was a beach town. It´s lovely. I live in Santa Catarina, Brazil and there are a lot of beautiful beachs here

Submitted by Doanh on Fri, 13/06/2025 - 15:58

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No. I don't. I'm living in Ho Chi Minh City, which is the centre of entertainment and economy in Vietnam.  My city is full of buildings and modern transportation, especially motorbikes and cars. It takes around 2 to 3 hours to travel to the sea from my place.

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