English Conversation

ENGLISH CONVERSATION FOR YOUR LIFE BY NARONGRITH MINGJAREON, PORNTIP WIRIYAPOTIKARN

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SAMPLE WAYS TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF Introducing yourself to Stanley can be tricky because what you say depends entirely on the context. You would introduce yourself differently depending on what you were addressing an audience before you give a speech, meeting someone at a networking event, or just starting a conver-

sation with a new person at a party. If you want to know how to introduce yourself in a way that is appropriate and makes people like and remember you. just follow these steps.

First, introduce yourself: •.

“Hello, my name is Peter Browns.”

•.

“Hey, how are you? I’m Mary.”

•.

“My name’s Peter. What’s yours?”

Next, give a little info about yourself or break the ice: •.

“That’s a great tie. Where did you get it?”

•. “I’m originally from New York, but I just moved here a week ago. Are you from around here?” •. “Say, where’s the best place to grab some hamburgers?”

Listen to their response, and keep the conversation going: •. “Oh, you got that tie from Lotus ? They’ve really improved their stores lately.”

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•.

“So you’re originally from England. Do you ski?”

•. “Burger King’s hamburger eh? favorite dish there?”

What’s your

Close the conversation: •. “It has been a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to seeing you again.” •. “Sounds like you know a lot about this city. Maybe you could show me around sometime?” •. “Well, if you’re ever having hamburger, let me know and we can go to lunch.” example of way to introduce yourself

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ORDERING FOOD & DRINKS One of the first things to do in English is ordering food when you go to a restaurant. There are basic forms and questions, as well food vocabulary that you can use in places where people speak English. Ordering food is much easier than cooking it yourself. It sometimes makes for a good night out too. Not quite sure on how to go about ordering food? Here's a few quick tips

1. FIND A SEAT

It's probably a better idea to find a seat before you get your food. This is because if all the seats are full after you've collected your food, you're going to have to either eat standing up or walk around looking for a seat for quite some time. Also, some restaurants send waiters to your table, so it's required that you find a seat

2. LOOK AT THE MENU

The menu should already be on your table but if it's not, or there are not enough menus for everyone, ask a member of staff for one. The menu includes everything that the restaurant sells and also states their prices. Have a look and see if anything interests you then decide what you're going to buy.

3. CALL THE WAITER OVER

This can be done by simply getting a passing waiter's attention or waiting until they come to you. Once they arrive, tell them what you'd like to eat. Make sure that they've written down the correct foods so you don't end up with something that you didn't want.

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4. WAIT FOR YOUR FOOD

At some restaurants, they cook the food from scratch as soon as they get your order. This means that it might take some time for your food to get to you. Just be patient, your food should arrive in under half an hour. If it hasn't arrived, tell someone. They may have forgotten about your order, or it might just be a busy day.

5. ENJOY

EXAMPLE

A: May I get you anything to drink? B: Yes, please. May I get a glass of lemonade? A: Would you like an appetizer? B: May I get an order of barbeque wings? A: Sure, would you like anything else?

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B: That'll be fine for now, thank you. A: Tell me when you want to order the rest of your food. B: Excuse me. I'm ready to order. A: What would you like? B: Let me have the baby-back ribs. A: Sure, will there be anything else that I can get you? B: That will be it for now.

Example way to ordering food and drink

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TELEPHONING When making a formal call, three rules should influence your choice of words: •

Be brief. Do not waste the receiver's

time. • Be clear. Explain the background and purpose of your call. • Be polite. Recognize the receiver's point of view.

USEFUL TELEPHONE VOCABULARY AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH. Making contact :

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon ... This is John Brown speaking Could I speak to ......... please? I'd like to speak to ..... ..... I'm trying to contact ..........

Giving more information:

■ ■

I'm calling from Tokyo / Paris / New York / Sydney ... I'm calling on behalf of Mr. X ...

Taking a call :

■ ■

X speaking. Can I help you?

Asking for a name / information :

■ ■ ■ ■

Who's calling please? Who's speaking? Where are you calling from? Are you sure you have the right number / name?

Asking the caller to wait :

■ ■ ■

Hold the line please. Could you hold on please? Just a moment please.

Connecting :

■ ■ ■

Thank you for holding. The line's free now ... I'll put you through. I'll connect you now / I'm connecting you now.

Giving negative information :

■ ■ ■

I'm afraid the line's engaged. Could you call back later? I'm afraid he's in a meeting at the moment. I'm sorry. He's out of the office today. /
 He isn't in at the moment. I'm afraid we don't have a Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss. ... here I'm sorry. There's nobody here by that name. Sorry. I think you've dialed the wrong number./
 I'm afraid you've got the wrong number.

■ ■ ■ Telephone problems :

■ ■ ■ ■

The line is very bad ... Could you speak up please? Could you repeat that please? I'm afraid I can't hear you. Sorry. I didn't catch that. Could you say it again please?

Leaving / Taking a message :

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Can I leave / take a message? Would you like to leave a message? Could you give him/her a message? Could you ask him/her to call me back? Could you tell him/her that I called? Could you give me your name please? Could you spell that please? What's your number please?

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Making a Dinner Reservation Caller 1: Good Evening MK suki how may I help you?
 Caller 2: Hello, I'd like to make a dinner reservation for Sunday. Caller 1: Certainly, I'd be happy to help you with that. How many people are there in your party? 
 Caller 2: There'll be five people. Caller 1: ... and what time would you like to make a reservation for?
 Caller 2: Let's say at six o'clock. Caller 1: I'm afraid we don't have anything available then. We could seat you at five o'clock or at seven o'clock.
 Caller 2: Oh, OK. Let's make the reservation for seven o'clock. Caller 1: Fine, seven o'clock on Sunday evening for five people. May I have your name?
 Caller 2: Yes, it's Roberto Caller 1: Is that Roberto with an 'e' or an 'o'?
 Caller 2: Roberto with an 'e'.//

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Caller 1: Thank you. Great. I have a table for five for the Roberto party at seven o'clock on Sunday evening.
 Caller 2: Thank you very much. Caller 1: You're welcome. We'll see you on Sunday.
 Caller 2: Yes, see you then. Good bye. Caller 1: Good bye.

Example of Making a Dinner Reservation

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GIVING DIRECTIONS Introduce - Directions Phrases 
 Introduce the following phrases: 
 - Turn right/left (at the 1st/2nd/3rd corner). 
 - Go straight. 
 - You’ll see it on the right/left.
 - It’s across from (the school, the park, the post office)
 - It’s next to (the police station, the playground, the library)
 Explain the meaning of each phrase and lead some pronunciation practice exercises.Asking and giving directions conversation

  You know how to ASK for directions, but what happens when an English speaker asks YOU for directions. This is not a time for small talk. Give only basic directions with short phrases. Do the best you can.

Questions you may hear How do I get to Main Street? Where is the closest BTS station? Can you tell me where the shopping centre is? I’m looking for Silom Street. Are you from around here?

If you know the way…
 Use basic English to offer directions. Short phrases are best. Speak slowly and use very careful pronunciation. Spell out a word if necessary.

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The easiest way is to…
 The quickest way is to…
 The best way is to… go + direction (right, left, down, up, through)
 take + road name
 turn + right/left
 stay on + road name for + distance or time

Examples: 
 The easiest way is to go right on Commercial Avenue.
 The quickest way is to take Road Number 1.
 The best way is to turn right on Main Street.
 Stay on Route 1 for about ten minutes.

Use transitions
 Separate each leg of the route with a transition. after that
 then
 next


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when you get to…go…
 finally

Offer “Ballpark Figures” (rough estimates of time or length of travel)
 Some people feel better knowing how long it will take to get from A to B. It’s just around the corner (not far).
 It’s not far.
 It’s a bit of a way. (it takes a while)
 It’s about a five minute walk.
 It’s about a twenty minute bus ride.

Use landmarks
 Tell the person what to watch for. You will see a large clock on the right.
 You will pass a gas station.
 It’s across from the blue church.

More useful language
 It’s on + street name
 It’s across from
 It’s opposite
 It’s near
 It’s around the corner from

Offer warnings 
 Stay in the right lane.
 It’s a very busy road.
 It’s a big hill. (if they are walking or on a bike)
 There might be construction.
 If you pass the … you went too far.
 There’s no parking.

Repeat yourself
 If YOU repeat the directions again, the other person will feel more confident. Repeat important details including street names and turns. You can also ask the other person to repeat the directions back to you. If you are in the car with the driver…
 Give a lot of warning. 15

Turn right at the next street
 Get in the left lane.
 Go one more block. Then turn right.
 At the next traffic lights turn…
 It’s going to be on your right.

Clarify
 Make sure that the other person understood your directions. Say: “Did you get all that?”

If you don’t know the way…
 Don’t guess! Don’t just shake your head and walk away. Use one of these phrases: I’m sorry, I’m not from here.
 I’m afraid I can’t help you.
 Sorry I don’t know my way around here.

Offer another solution 
 You could ask the bus driver.
 Ask the front desk clerk.
 Follow me. I’ll show you the way.
 Do you want me to draw you a map? 16

Conversation on Asking for Directions William: Excuse me, am sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me how I can get to the train station? Kate: Yes no problem, it’s that way. Keeping walking straight ahead then after you pass the library you have to turn left. then take your first right and it’s across from the bus station. You cannot miss it! William: Thank you so much! I have only been in Manchester for 2 days, so I don’t know how to get anywhere yet. Kate: Oh, I know that feeling. Me and my husband moved here a 6 months ago, and I still don’t know how to find certain places! Manchester is so big. William: So just to double check Keep walking straight ahead till I pass the library, then I have to turn left and take the first right. Then it's across the bus station. Is that correct? Kate: Yes, that is correct. William: Well thanks for helping me. I must go and catch my train, hopefully I haven’t miss it! Kate: OK, bye. Example on Asking for Direction 17

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