English for Business

Speaking
Section 1-Networking
Unit 1 Starting a conversation

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited

 Outline
A. Warm up (4mins)
B. Useful tips (4mins)
C. Conversation (12mins)

D. Further reading (after-class)

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited 1

 Suggested time: 3mins

A. Warm up

Have you ever talked to a foreigner

you never knew before? How did it
make you feel? Share your
experience with your tutor.

If you’re given a chance to talk

to a foreign stranger, what do
you want to say to him/her?

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Ask S the warm-up questions. Encourage S to speak as much as they can. 2
 Suggested time: 1min

No doubt that breaking the silence

can be very stressful. Sometimes the
hardest part is simply starting a
conversation.
Do you have problems with starting
a conversation with someone you
don’t know?

In this lesson, you will learn:

➢ Three methods of starting a
conversation;
➢ Practical tips on how to successfully
start a conversation with others;
➢ Situational dialogues (真人场景对话)

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Introduce the topic to S. 3

 Suggested time: 4mins

B. Useful tips
Three methods of how to start a conversation:

Opening line: Just say “Hey, how are you? ” and your name. It is quite
1 easy and effective. Do not come up with something clever.
Q1: Do you think that
starting a conversation
Then start off with simple questions about themselves (e.g. where, simply means asking a
2 do you…, isn’t it?, how do you feel about it ? …) and avoid deep bunch of questions?
questions. Most people like talking about themselves.
Q2: Why should we
alternate between
Answer questions: give personal information about yourself or
3 offer some comments on what your partner said. Alternate(轮换)
asking questions and
between offering comments and asking questions. offering comments?

No matter if you ask or answer questions, your mood should match that of
your partner. If they are cheerful, be ready for smiling back. Treat your
TIP partner like a friend.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Guide S to learn the three methods and tips. Then ask S to answer the two questions. 4
 Suggested time: 3mins
C. Conversation
Listen to the four dialogues heard at a conference. Listen carefully to how they start a
conversation.

(11s) http://www.acadsoc.com.cn/IES/Aplayer.aspx?code=7587FD66B3C38450

Dialog 1
. A: So, what do you do exactly?
B: I’m an auditor, a forensic(法务的) auditor.
A: Ah, um, you’re a forensic, um, auditor?
B: Yes, that’s right.

• How did Speaker A start a conversation with Speaker B?

• Is it a good way of starting a conversation in your view?

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Both T and S listen to the audio. Ask S to answer the above two questions. 5
 Suggested time: 3mins

(18s) http://www.acadsoc.com.cn/IES/Aplayer.aspx?code=7375DA9E1EDDC042

Dialog 2
A: How long did that take?
B: Oh, about four hours. But I was able to have breakfast and do some
reading.
A: That sounds nice. I must try it sometimes. Marseilles's (马赛, 法国东
南港市) really beautiful, isn’t it?
B: Yes, it is. Have you been here before? If you haven’t, you must…

• How did Speaker A make their conversation keep going? What questions
did Speaker A ask?

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Both T and S listen to the audio. Ask S to answer the above question. 6
 Suggested time: 3mins

(13s) http://www.acadsoc.com.cn/IES/Aplayer.aspx?code=00C12179FAA11539

Dialog 3
A: Where do you come from then?
B: Garmisch-Partenkirchen (加米施-帕滕基, 德国小镇). It’s in the
mountains just near Munich. What about you?
A: I’m from Cork in Ireland. The high street is supposed to have more
pubs than any other town in Ireland.

• What method did Speaker B use to keep their conversation going?

• Do you think Speaker A and B enjoyed their conversation or got bored of it?
Why do you think so?

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Both T and S listen to the audio. Ask S to answer the above two questions. 7
 Suggested time: 3mins

(24s) http://www.acadsoc.com.cn/IES/Aplayer.aspx?code=4A932CB4034360A8

Dialog 4
A: Do you like jogging (慢跑)? You should try it, you know. It
makes you feel really great all day long. Just set the alarm for
5.30, jump out of bed and after you’ve been running for
about an hour or so, go back, have a shower and …
B: Sorry, but do you know where I can smoke? I think I want
a cigarette before the next presentation (演讲). Ah, that way?
Thanks.

• Is it a good example of starting a conversation? Why or why not?

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Both T and S listen to the audio. Ask S to answer the above question. 8
 After-class
D. Further reading
Here are some other tips you should know when communicating with others.

 It is a big mistake not to make the first

In some countries like Germany, it is a sign
move and wait for someone else to do
of respect and professionalism (专业素养)
it in conversation.
to speak clearly and leave no room for
misinterpretation (误解). Those who speak
 The most important part of initiating (开
indirectly are judged as being inarticulate
始) conversation is having confidence.
(不善言辞的), having muddled (含糊不清)
Having confidence in yourself makes
thinking, lacking confidence or hiding
this conversation very easy. Just
something.
consider that the other person has an
By contrast, in countries like Japan, people
interest in what you say. Sometimes
prefer to communicate indirectly to avoid
people have trouble with conversation
damaging a relationship or causing
because of a lack of confidence in
someone to lose face.
themselves.

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited TI: Ask S to look through this part. If time allows, teach this part to expand S’s knowledge. 9
 ￥2

See you the next unit!

Please review this lesson after class including further reading. In Unit 2, we’ll
continue talking about how to start a conversation, but we’ll focus on practicing
and improving your speaking skills. See you!

© 2017 Acadsoc Limited 10