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.
Profile picture for user Estefanilore

Submitted by Estefanilore on Fri, 02/09/2022 - 15:02

Permalink

No, I don't, but I am not far away in a car.

Submitted by ikrabilgee on Sun, 21/08/2022 - 12:27

Permalink

until 2 years ago i was living near the sea and that was wonderfull. i miss there:/

I haven't live near the sea but my grandmother and grandfather live near the sea it is so cool in summer my family come there and we go to the sea i very like this season

Submitted by Nandar Su Hlaing on Thu, 11/08/2022 - 13:33

Permalink

No, I don't live near the sea. But I love the sea, I am always dreaming to go to sea. I have been there for many times but I love to go again there. I love seeing the sea through the hotel room. And I also love to walk without slipper on the beach. I love going there any weather. It is rain or hot or snowy , I would like to go there.

Submitted by ivanricardo07 on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 00:42

Permalink

Yes, I live near the sea. All my life have been living in Cartagena-Colombia, located on the Caribbean coast. We have got some amazing beaches here.

Submitted by marwan297 on Sat, 30/07/2022 - 16:28

Permalink

I don't live near the sea but I'm from Egypt and we are overlooking two seas, the white one and the red one. I prefer the white sea as its water aren't so calm as the red sea.

Submitted by -Villalobos on Wed, 27/07/2022 - 23:18

Permalink

No, I didn't live around the sea

Submitted by Weena pineda on Mon, 25/07/2022 - 17:58

Permalink

I used to live near the sea but right now I move.

Submitted by meknini on Sat, 16/07/2022 - 09:23

Permalink

Not as near as I wish. It's a 20-minute drive to get to the nearest beach although on the weekends it might take slightly longer.