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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Average: 4.2 (41 votes)
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Submitted by marriita on Thu, 03/08/2023 - 22:07

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I live about one hour drive from the sea, and a friend of mine has a free time he gives me a ride there! However it is the North Sea with a dull grey colour I like it very much and feel its power which is more impressive for me than blue colour southern seas.

Submitted by hebba_ben on Mon, 03/07/2023 - 17:00

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hi i hope Everyone who's reading this comments is doing great so
i live in Algeria it's the biggest country located in the north of Africa ...i wouldn't lie if i say that my country has the most beautiful sea in Africa even that i live in the Sahara where there's no sea but i enjoy my time while visiting the north of Algeria every summer ....so i will be glad if you guys one day come and visit my beautiful country ♥

Submitted by kemblyhp on Wed, 28/06/2023 - 05:58

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Hi everyone! I'm from Cancún, México. So, definitely I live by the sea but not as close as everyone think. To get to the beach from home is around 20min by car. It's really close but... I prefer mountains and the woods than sea!

Beach local is fun, but not forever. I often travel one time in the year and normally, 3 or 4 days. I love the mountains too

Submitted by Nguyenxuantung on Thu, 15/06/2023 - 03:03

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I'm proud of my country because of its many beautiful beaches. But now I'm living in Hanoi, the distance between my house and the nearest is about 150km, quite far but I will go if I have a chance.

Submitted by masuma_320 on Tue, 13/06/2023 - 07:35

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Yes, I live on the island. I look out the window and everywhere can see the sea. But in the past, I lived in a village which isn't near to the sea.

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Submitted by le nhung on Fri, 09/06/2023 - 08:56

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I actually not living near the sea, but it will take about two hours from my place to go there by car or by motorbike. Its name is Vung Tau Beach. And it has for a long time I did not go there because it does not appeal to me anymore.

Submitted by MayuRios on Tue, 30/05/2023 - 15:43

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No, I don't live near the sea. I never saw it, my country is in the continent's center. But I would like to visit the beach, and touch the sand someday.

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Submitted by Superjet0597 on Sun, 28/05/2023 - 22:12

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No, I don't live near the see, but I had been doing a trip to caribean islands. I have diving with dolphins and the experience was absolutely amazing.

Submitted by ina_coral on Thu, 27/04/2023 - 15:00

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i used to live in a small town, but now i am live in a big city. I use to leave the city every weekend and spend my free time in nature.