English Conversations

PRACTICAL ENGLISH CONVERSATIONS Most teachers of English as a foreign language often face a dilemma when building some conversations for their class. Here are some that I have collected from the Net and would be expectedly of any use to your work. Ngo Bao Thoa Directions I Excuse me. Is there a bank near here? Yes. There's a bank on the corner. Thank you. You're welcome. Directions II Excuse me. Is there a supermarket near here? Yes. There's one near here. How do I get there? At the traffic lights, take the first left and go straight on. It's on the left. Is it far? Not really. Thank you. Don't mention it. Key Vocabulary Is there a _______ near here? on the corner, on the left, on the right straight on, straight ahead traffic lights Is it far? Introducing Yourself Introductions Hello. My name's Peter. What's your name? Janet. Where are you from Janet? I'm from Seattle. Where are you from? I'm from Madrid. Are you American? Yes, I am. Are you Spanish? Yes I am. Key Vocabulary My name is . Page 1 What's (is) your name . Where are you from? I'm from . Are you (Spanish, American, German, etc.) Personal Information What's your surname (family name)? Smith What's your first name? Fred Where are you from? Atlanta, Georgia What's your job? I'm a teacher. What's your address? 34 White Street What is your phone number? 308-6730 How old are you? 54 Are you married? Yes, I am. Key Vocabulary surname, family name, first name Where are you from? What's your job? address? phone (telephone) number? How old are you? Are you married? married, single, divorced, separated Hello and Goodbye - Three Short Conversations Hello Hello, Peter. How are you? Fine, thanks. How are you? I'm fine, thank you. Goodbye Goodbye, Janet. See you tomorrow! Bye bye, Peter. Have a nice evening. Thanks, you too! Thanks. Key Vocabulary Hello . How are you? I'm fine, - OK, - well, thank you Goodbye, - bye bye See you tomorrow Have a nice evening, - day Telling the Time What time is it? - I Excuse me. Can you tell me the time, please? Yes, of course. It's seven o'clock. Page 2 Thank you. No problem. What time is it? - II What time is it? It's half past three. Thanks. You're welcome. Key Vocabulary Excuse me. Can you tell me the time, please? What time is it? It's half past . It's quarter past . It's ten to . It's quarter to . o'clock On the Telephone Calling Someone at Work Hello. This is Kenneth Beare. May I speak to Ms Sunshine, please? Hold the line a moment, I'll check if she is in her office. Thank you. (after a moment) Yes, Ms Sunshine is in. I'll put you through. Hello, this is Ms Sunshine. How can I help you? Hello, my name is Kenneth Beare and I'm calling to enquire about the position advertised in Sunday's Times. Yes, the position is still open. Could I have your name and number please? Certainly, My name is Kenneth Beare . Leaving a Message Hello. Could I speak to Jack Parkins, please? Who's calling, please? This is Fred Blinkingham. I'm a friend of Jack's. Hold the line, please. I'll put your call through. (after a moment) - I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message? Yes. Can you ask him to give me a call? My number is 345-8965 Could you repeat that, please? Certainly. That's 345-8965 OK. I'll make sure Mr. Parkins gets your message. Thank you. Goodbye. Goodbye. Key Vocabulary This is . May (Can, Could) I speak to .? I'm calling . Hold the line a moment . put someone through . Who's calling .? take a message call, ring, phone Page 3 Note On the telephone, use 'this is .' instead of 'I am'. In a Shop Shopping for a Sweater Can I help you? Yes, I'm looking for a sweater. What size are you? I'm an extra large. How about this one? Yes, that's nice. Can I try it on? Certainly, there's the changing rooms over there. Thank you. How does it fit? It's too large. Do you have a large? Yes, here you are. Thank you. I'll have it, please. OK, how would you like to pay? Do you take credit cards? Yes, we do. Visa, Master Card and American Express. OK, here's my Visa. Thank you. Have a nice day! Thank you, goodbye. Key Vocabulary Can I help you? Can I try it (them) on? size - extra small, small, medium, large, extra large How does it fit? changing rooms How would you like to pay? credit cards At the Airport Checking In Good morning. Can I have your ticket, please? Here you are. Thank you. Would you like smoking or non-smoking? Non-smoking, please. Would you like a window or an aisle seat? An aisle seat, please. Do you have any baggage? Yes, this suitcase and this carry-on bag. Here's your boarding pass. Have a nice flight. Thank you. Passport Control Good morning. Can I see your passport? Here you are. Thank you very much. Are you a tourist or on business? I'm a tourist. That's fine. Have a pleasant stay. Thank you. Page 4 Key Vocabulary Can I have your ticket? smoking, non-smoking window, aisle seat baggage, suitcase, carry-on bag boarding pass flight Can I see your passport? tourist, business In a Motel / Hotel Getting a Room for the Night Good evening. Can I help you? Yes, please. I'd like a room for the night. Would you like a single room, or a double room? A single room, please. How much is the room? It's $55 per night. Can I pay by credit card? Certainly. We take Visa, Master Card and American Express. Could you fill in this form, please? Do you need my passport number? No, just an address and your signature. (fills out the form) Here you are. Here's your key. Your room number is 212. Thank you. Thank you. If you need anything, dial 0 for the reception area. Have a good stay! Key Vocabulary Can I help you? I'd like a room single, double room Can I pay by credit card? fill in this form passport number room number reception At a Restaurant Ordering a Meal Hi. How are you doing this afternoon? Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please? Certainly, here you are. Thank you. What's today's special? Grilled tuna and cheese on rye. That sounds good. I'll have that. Would you like something to drink? Yes, I'd like a coke. Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal! Thank you. Can I get you anything else? No thanks. I'd like the check (bill - UK English), please. That'll be $6.75. Here you are. Keep the change! Page 5 Thank you! Have a good day! Bye. Key Vocabulary Can I see a menu? here you are Enjoy your meal! Would you like . Can I get you anything else? I'd like the check (bill - UK English), please. That'll be $6.75. Have a good day! Ordering Food in a Restaurant Waiter: Hello, Can I help you? Kim: Yes, I'd like to have some lunch. Waiter: Would you like a starter? Kim: Yes, I'd like a bowl of chicken soup, please. Waiter: And what would you like for a main course? Kim: I'd like a grilled cheese sandwich. Waiter: Would you like anything to drink? Kim: Yes, I'd like a glass of Coke, please. Waiter . After Kim has her lunch.: Can I bring you anything else? Kim: No thank you. Just the bill. Waiter: Certainly. Kim:I don't have my glasses. How much is the lunch? Waiter: That's $6.75. Kim: Here you are. Thank you very much. Waiter: You're welcome. Have a good day. Kim: Thank you, the same to you. Use this menu to practise ordering food in a restaurant. Starters Chicken Soup $2.50 Salad $3.25 Sandwiches - Main Course Ham and cheese $3.50 Tuna $3.00 Vegetarian $4.00 Grilled Cheese $2.50 Piece of Pizza $2.50 Cheeseburger $4.50 Hamburger deluxe $5.00 Spaghetti $5.50 Drinks Coffee $1.25 Tea $1.25 Soft Drinks - Coke, Sprite, Root Beer, etc. $1. There are a number of phrases that are commonly used to introduce strangers. Page 6 (name), I don't think you've met (name). I don't think you know (name) May I introduce you to (name) (name), do you know (name)? (name), I'd like you to meet (name) When you meet someone the first time, it is common to greet the person with "How do you do?" the correct response is "How do you do." Here is a short introductory conversation: Ken: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary. Peter: How do you do? Mary: How do you do. Ken: Mary works for . A variation is also "It's a pleasure to meet you." or "Pleased to meet you." Ken: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary. Peter: It's a pleasure to meet you. Mary: How do you do. Ken: Mary works for . Ken: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary. Peter: How do you do? Mary: Pleased to meet you. Ken: Mary works for . In informal situations, especially in North America, introductions are also made simply saying: "This is (name)." It is also common to just say "Hi" or "Hello" as a response in this informal setting. Ken: Peter, this is Mary. Peter: How do you do? Mary: Pleased to meet you. Ken: Mary works for . It is also quite common to shake hands when you are introduced. After the initial introduction, hand shaking generally takes place in more formal, business situations. Otherwise, people just say "Hi." Here are a number of polite phrases used when trying to get the attention or help from people. The use of more formal language is common when speaking to someone you do not know: Interrupting It is common to first apologize before interrupting another person, or asking for help if you do not know the person. Excuse me, could I . Sorry, do you think I could . Excuse me, do you know . I beg your pardon, could you help me? (formal) Asking Someone to Repeat When asking for information you may have a hard time understanding in public places which can be very noisy (train stations, restaurants, stores, etc.). Here are phrases commonly used to ask someone to repeat what he has said: Page 7 Excuse me, I'm afraid I didn't understand. Could you repeat that? (formal) I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. (informal) What? (very informal!) I beg your pardon. Introductions (At a party) Peter: Hello. Jane: Hi! Peter: My name is Peter. What's your name? Jane: My name is Jane. Nice to meet you. Peter: It's a pleasure. This is a great party! Jane: Yes, it is. Where are you from? Peter: I'm from Amsterdam. Jane: Amsterdam? Really, are you German? Peter: NO, I'm not German. I'm Dutch. Jane: Oh, you're Dutch. Sorry about that. Peter: That's OK. Where are you from? Jane: I'm from London, but I'm not British. Peter: No, what are you? Jane: Well, my parents were Spanish, so I'm Spanish, too. Peter: That's very interesting. Spain is a beautiful country. Jane: Thank you. It IS a wonderful place. Personal Information (Two friends filling in a form together) Jim: Your painting is fantastic Roger! Roger: I'm happy you like it. It's for a competition. Here's the form. Jim: Right. OK, here are the questions Your hands are dirty. Roger: . from painting! What are the questions? Here's a pen (gives him a pen to fill the form in) Jim: What's your name? Roger: oh, that's difficult . Roger! Jim: Ha, ha. What's your surname? Roger: I'm not sure . Jim: Very funny! OK, surname - Tailor Roger: Yes, that's it! Jim: Next question please. Are you married or single? Roger: Single. I'm sure about that! Jim: What's your address? Roger: 72 London Road. Jim: . and what are your hobbies? Roger: hmmm painting, going windsurfing and watching TV. Jim: . OK, last question. What's your telephone number? Roger: 0343 897 6514 Jim: 0343 897 6514 - Got it. Where's an envelope? Roger: Over there . Interview with a Famous Actor Interviewer: Thank you for taking some time off from your busy schedule to answer a few questions about your life! Brad: It's my pleasure. Page 8 Interviewer: Could you tell us about an average day in your life? Brad: Sure, I get up early - at 7 in the morning. Then I have breakfast. After breakfast, I go to the gym. Interviewer: Are you studying anything now? Brad: Yes, I'm learning a new film called "The Man About Town". Interviewer: What do you do in the afternoon? Brad: First I have lunch, then I go to the studio and shoot some scenes. Interviewer: Which scene are you acting today? Brad: I'm acting a scene about an angry lover. Interviewer: That's very interesting. What do you do in the evening? Brad: In the evening, I go home and have dinner and study my scripts. Interviewer: Do you go out at night? Brad: Not always, I like going out at weekends. The City and the Country David: How do you like living in the big city? Maria: There are many things that are better than living in the country! David: Can you give me some examples? Maria: Well, it certainly is more interesting than the country. There is so much more to do and see! David: Yes, but the city is more dangerous than the country. Maria: That's true. People in the city aren't as open and friendly as those in the countryside. David: I'm sure that the country is more relaxed, too! Maria: Yes, the city is busier than the country. However, the country is much slower than the city. David: I think that's a good thing! Maria: Oh, I don't. The country is so slow and boring! It's much more boring than the city. David: How about the cost of living? Is the country cheaper than the city? Maria: Oh, yes. The city is more expensive than the country. David: Life in the country is also much healthier than in the city. Maria: Yes, it's cleaner and less dangerous in the country. But, the city is so much more exciting. It's faster, crazier and more fun than the country. David: I think YOU are crazy for moving to the city. Maria: Well, I'm young now. Maybe when I'm married and have children I'll move back to the country. What Were You Doing? Betsy: I telephoned you yesterday afternoon but you didn't answer? Where were you? Brian: I was in another room when you called. I didn't hear the phone ringing until it was too late. Betsy: What were you working on? Brian: I was photocopying a report that I needed to send to a client. What were you doing when you telephoned? Betsy: I was looking for Tom and couldn't find him. Do you know where he was? Brian: Tom was driving to a meeting. Betsy: Oh, I see. What did you do yesterday? Brian: I met the representatives from Driver's in the morning. In the afternoon, I worked on the report and was just finishing when you telephoned. What did you do? Betsy: Well, at 9 I had a meeting with Ms Anderson. After that, I did some research. Brian: Sounds like a boring day! Betsy: Yes, I don't really like doing research. But it needs to be done. Brian: I agree with you on that, no research - no business! Betsy: Tell me about the report. What do you think of it? Brian: I think the report is a good. Tom believes it's good, too. Betsy: I know that every report you write is excellent. Brian: Thank you Betsy, you are always a good friend! Page 9 An Interview at the Shopping Mall Interviewer: Good evening, I hope you don't mind answering a few questions. Alice: How long will it take? Interviewer: Just a few questions. Alice: I guess I can manage to answer a few questions. Go ahead. Interviewer: I'd like to ask your opinion about consumer electronics. As far as consumer electronics is concerned, which is the most reliable brand? Alice: I'd say that Samsung is the most reliable brand. Interviewer: Which brand is the most expensive? Alice: Well, Samsung is also the most expensive brand. I guess that's why it's the best. Interviewer: Which brand do you think is the worst? Alice: I think LG is the worst. I really can't remember using any of their products that I liked. Interviewer: And which brand is the most popular with young people? Alice: That's a difficult one to answer for me. I think that Sony is probably the most popular with young people. Interviewer: One last question, Have you tried using any HP products? Alice: No, I haven't. Are they good? Interviewer: I enjoy using them. But I didn't stop you to tell you what I think. Thank you for your time. Alice: Not at all. A Busy Day (two friends speaking in a park when they meet each other jogging) Barbara: Hi, Katherine, how are you today? Katherine: I'm great and you? Barbara: VERY busy! I'm jogging now, but later I have to do a lot! Katherine: What do you have to do? Barbara: Well, first of all, I have to do the shopping. We don't have anything to eat at home. Katherine: . and then? Barbara: Little Johnny has a basketball game this afternoon. I'm driving him to the game. Katherine: Oh, how is his team doing? Barbara: They're doing very well. Next week, they're travelling to Toronto for a tournament. Katherine: That's impressive. Barbara: Well, Johnny likes playing basketball. I'm happy he's enjoying it. What are you doing today? Katherine: I'm not doing much. I'm meeting some friends for lunch, but, other than that, I don't have much to do today. Barbara: You're so lucky! Katherine: No, you're the lucky one. I'd like to have so many things to do. Check your understanding with this multiple choice comprehension quiz. Planning a Party (two neighbors talking) Martha: .What horrible weather today. I'd love to go out, but I think it will just continue raining. Jane:Oh, I don't know. Perhaps the sun will come out later this afternoon. Martha:I hope you're right. Listen, I'm going to have a party this Saturday. Would you like to come? Jane:Oh, I'd love to come. Thank you for inviting me. Who's going to come to the party? Martha:Well, a number of people haven't told me yet. But, Peter and Mark are going to help out with the cooking! Jane:Hey, I'll help, too! Martha:Would you? That would be great! Jane:I'll make lasagna! Page 10 . PRACTICAL ENGLISH CONVERSATIONS Most teachers of English as a foreign language often face a dilemma when building some conversations for their. married? married, single, divorced, separated Hello and Goodbye - Three Short Conversations Hello Hello, Peter. How are you? Fine, thanks. How are you? I'm