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

Download
Worksheet95.48 KB

Language level

Average: 4.2 (41 votes)
Do you need to improve your English speaking skills?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English speaking skills with our live online classes and personal tutoring courses.

Submitted by ubaid332 on Thu, 06/06/2024 - 10:05

Permalink

Do you live near the sea?

No, I am not live near the sea but I like it the flat or house near the sea where I can swim and relax my mind. I like to swim every morning if the sea is near me. The sea in our country is very far from us but rivers are existed near to me. Two months before I went to Saudia and visited the sea. I enjoyed that trip. I still miss it a lot. In the future, I have a plan to buy a flat near the sea.

Submitted by yaseralisadiq on Wed, 05/06/2024 - 20:34

Permalink

Yes, I live near the sea and love it so much. There has been a lot of activities place in a coastal area. Those activities include not only the business activities but also leisure activities. On the entertainment front, my favorite hobby is to go immediately after the sunrise and have a good swim there. 

Submitted by Yurii2000 on Wed, 29/05/2024 - 15:34

Permalink

No, I don't. But I kind of like the idea of living by the sea, it was my child dream - to be born near the ocean and have the opportunity to swim every day from sunrise till the sunset. However, I used to living by the sea for a couple of months when the war started, and I actually really liked it, despite the water was cold. 

Submitted by autumn choco on Sun, 28/04/2024 - 11:13

Permalink

I lived near the river but not the sea. But my hometown has beautiful beaches and I wanna go next time again.

Profile picture for user Grazia Paola Cannavo

Submitted by Grazia Paola Cannavo on Wed, 20/03/2024 - 09:56

Permalink

I currently live in a city quite close to the sea. However, when I was younger I lived in a seaside town. I miss the sea: it gives joy and energy during the winter; in summer it refreshes and offers the possibility of great relaxation and fun.

Submitted by Ei Sandar Phyo on Wed, 14/02/2024 - 13:20

Permalink

Not really, but I live 15 minutes away from nearby river called Yangon River by riding a bike.

Submitted by ired on Mon, 12/02/2024 - 13:42

Permalink

I'm one of the lucky ones who was born near the water. I saw the Bosphorus. the Water has such a relaxing structure as sound and as appearance.

Profile picture for user Azizollah-P

Submitted by Azizollah-P on Tue, 06/02/2024 - 20:33

Permalink

In fact, I`ve never lived in scenic of sea and incredibly I`ve never seen sea or ocean up close. I hope ,I`ll buy a flat in front of the sea.

Submitted by DzhusAngela on Fri, 02/02/2024 - 18:32

Permalink

I never lived near the sea,but I absolutely want to live near the sea and go to listen the noise by sea,meditate and after go to swim.

Submitted by ddddsky on Mon, 29/01/2024 - 05:35

Permalink

"Do you live near the sea?"
No, I don't. Actually, I live in a highland. But I just need to drive for 2 hours to get to the beach.