TURN-TAKING CUES

During Conversations
in order to maintain
order and coherence,
speakers are not
supposed to speak at
the same time,
but take turns so that
listening
comprehension can be
achieved and long
silences are avoided.
Turn-taking involves
recognizing the
appropriate moment to
get then signal that you
want to speak
and when other
speakers are giving
signals that they wish to
speak and the signal
that you are listening.
 How to achieved
smooth, polite and
appropriate turn-
taking?
 1.Taking the turn (Interrupting)

a. Before you continue, (can I just say)…

b. Excuse me, sorry for interrupting, but…

c. I don’t mean to interrupt, but…

2. Accepting the turn when offered it

a. Thanks. (I won’t take long)

b. What I wanted to say

was…
3. Speaking first
a. Can I speak first…

b. Before you get started…

c. Shall I start the discussion…

4. Keeping your turn/ stopping other
people interrupting

a. Before you interrupt…

b. Please allow me to finish

5. Getting the other person to speak first

a. ( No please). After you.

b. Please go ahead.

c. I’ll let you go first