SHOWING INTEREST INA CONVERSATION — USEFUL TIP: 32 It’s important to show interest while you are listening, and to reassure the speaker that you are listening to the conversation. + Echo the key information to encourage further explanation: A: I'm thinking of taking up kayaking. B: Kayaking? ‘+ Show empathy; that you understand how the speaker feels: Really? That's amazing! Oh, dear. * Paraphrase. Repeat what has been said using your own words to show that you are listening: So what you're telling me is ... So, in other words, Conversations Listen to the conversation. Mia is telling a friend, Ben, about something that happened to her once. Ben: How did you like Istanbul? Mia: Oh, it was wonderfull It's changed so much since | was there last. Ben: Oh, | thought it was your first visit. Mia: No, | worked there for a year once - about ten years ago. Ben: You worked there? How interesting! What were you doing there? Mia: | was a secondary school teacher. Ben: Really? That's amazing. Mia: Yes, had a fabulous time. But getting there was a nightmare. | decided to go by car from England, with a friend of mine. We thought it would be an experience to drive right through Europe. And it was ... Ben: Oh dear. What happened? Mia: We got as far as Amsterdam, and parked the car on the outskirts of the city, then went sightseeing on foot. But when we came back to the car, we found someone sitting inside it! SpeakingBen: Ben: Mia: eee a ee No! Yes, the car window was broken. But this guy was very polite, and he explained that. he'd seen someone break into the car and run off with a lot of stuff (I had all my luggage in it, to take to Istanbul) so he'd decided to sit inside the car to make sure nobody tried to rob us again. So you're telling me that a total stranger sat there, in your car, till you got back? That's right! And then he gave us directions to the police station, and said he'd come in and explain what had happened, in Dutch, because that would be easier for us ... and when we parked outside the police station, he opened the door of the car and just disappeared! You're joking! It’s true, honestly. | did get to Turkey in the end, though - but with only the clothes | was wearing! 2 Understanding Look at the strategies outlined in Useful Tips. Note the strategies that the speakers use in the conversations. Cultural note It is sometimes necessary to pretend to sound interested in what someone is saying, even if you don't find it interesting at all. In many cultures it is considered rude to sound uninterested in what someone is saying. Saying it accurately @ Group these expressions under the correct heading, following the example. To show that you have empathy about something good 7 To show that you have empathy about something bad To show disbelief 1 That's fantastic! 6 How interesting! 2. Howterrible! 7 Great! 3 Fabulous! 8 Oh dear. 4 I can't believe it! 9 No! 5 That's terrible! 10 That's incredible! Section 2: Keep talking | 33@ Lara uses all three strategies to show interest in what James says. Number her responses to James's statements. Each time, note the strategy that she uses. 1 James: | feel terrible. Strategy Echoing 2. James: I've got such a headache. Strategy 3 James: | think it was brought on by sitting in the car for three hours. Strategy 4 James: Yes, it took me three hours to travel only 3 miles. Strategy ..... : ee 5 James: Yes, but I'm here at last. And I've got some exciting news! I've been promoted! Strategy ..... zl ea 6 James: Yes, it happened while you were away. Strategy 7 James: That's right! And it means | get to have my own office! Strategy .. lara: Really?{ ] Lara: Terrible? [1] lara: That's unbelievable! [ ] Lara: So what you're telling me is, | went away for a week and in that time, you got a promotion! [ ] Lara: You mean you were stuck in traffic for three hours? [ lara: Promoted? { ] Lara: That's amazing! Well done! [_] Saying it clearly @ Listen to these three extracts from the conversations. Note how Ben and Lara show interest. 1 James: No, | worked there for a year once ~ about ten years ago. lara: You worked there? 2 James: | feel terrible. lara: Terrible? 3 James: I've been promoted! lara: Promoted? @ Listen again and repeat the echoing comments, using the same intonation. 34° SpeakingSaying it appropriately Listen to these two extracts. Then read the summaries and choose the correct answer. 1A: Iwas ina circus once. B: Really? 2 A: | love football. | could just watch it day and night. B: Really? In extract 1, B's tone is interested / uninterested and his intonation is rising / falling. This response encourages A to continue / stop talking about the topic. In extract 2, B’s tone is interested / uninterested and her intonation is rising / falling. This, response encourages A to continue / stop talking about the topic. Listen again. Play the Audio CD to start. When you hear the beep, say really in a way that shows interest and enthusiasm. When you express empathy, it’s important to use an enthusiastic tone of voice. Listen to these phrases. Tick those where the speaker sounds as though they mean what they are saying. 1 That's fantastic! .. That's awful! Wonderful! .... Oh no! 6 7 8 That's dreadful! 9 Great! oe | can't believe it! 2 3 How amazing! 4 5 How terrible! 10 Incredible! isten again to the phrases, now all said with an appropriate tone, and repeat them. Get speaking You are listening to a friend telling you something. Play the Audio CD to start. When you hear the beep, pause and respond appropriately. 1 Empathize with your friend. 3. Paraphrase what he says. 2 Echo what he says 4 Agree with him Play the Audio CD to start. When you hear the beep, pause and respond with a suitable expression. Follow the example. For example, you hear: We've decided to emigrate to Australia You say: Australia? Try to use all three strategies - echoing, empathizing and paraphrasing - during your responses. Section 2: Keep talking 35