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: 4.2 (41 votes)
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Submitted by CrystalAeint on Wed, 13/07/2022 - 04:06

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i don't live near the sea, my country is near the sea but the city i live is far from the sea but i sometime go for a week holidays with my family to the beach. I going to work hard when i grow up and i going to let my family live near the beach or sea.

Submitted by badboyzz on Sun, 03/07/2022 - 13:28

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I am living outside the sea.because my town has one sea.This sea so far away to town but I love Karataş sea.When I go to the Karataş I feel so relaxed and comfortable.

Submitted by ACGC on Sun, 26/06/2022 - 02:29

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Actually I used to live in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, but I had to move to Culiacan for work and its very sad because this city isnt near the sea. Mazatlán is very near the sea and I miss it. I love to walk around the malecon, its a relaxing and beautiful place with amazing views specially at sunset. Really Im not a beach person, but I enjoy going to sit at the beach and have a good and relaxing time.

Submitted by Selinay. on Sat, 18/06/2022 - 17:28

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I have lived in Izmir which is in Aegean Sea for five years. I came to Izmir for university. And I fall in love this city. Before I came here, I lived in a continental climate. I decided to i am crazy about live near the sea.

Submitted by EMF_12 on Thu, 16/06/2022 - 17:43

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Answering the discussion question, I don't live near the sea. However, my aunt has a beach house on Mollendo (a place on Peru's coast), and all the summers (including midyear holidays and every time we can go), my family goes there and enjoys the view of the sea and landscape.

Submitted by AngDor on Fri, 10/06/2022 - 03:17

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sadly no, I don't live near the sea, although I think I'll like the idea of it

Submitted by Yamen.G on Fri, 27/05/2022 - 14:10

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I miss my family, I actually miss the people in my country, they are very kind.

Submitted by Van wong on Mon, 23/05/2022 - 07:42

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Yes, when I was young. I lived close to the sea. It is picturesque, peaceful, and breezy. I always love spending time alone in nature. it can reduce my physical and mental stress.

Submitted by venus kim on Tue, 10/05/2022 - 15:13

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No, I was born in business capital of my country. So, there is no sea or beach near me only tall and numerous apartments and shopping centres.

Submitted by Camila Medina on Sun, 08/05/2022 - 21:11

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No, I don't live near the sea, I'm from Santiago, Chile, but the sea is to 1 hour in a car travel and I go there once or twice at the year.