In many conversations, especially when introducing yourself to someone for the first time, there is usually an interest shown in understanding who you are by talking about past experiences and past events. We are now going to look at using the past tense.
Cameron: Hi Jake!
Jake: Hi Cameron! How are you?
Cameron: Good! You don't look so good. How was your weekend?
Jake: It was great!
Cameron: What did you do?
Jake: I went to my girlfriend's birthday party. Then I went clubbing with the guys last night. I did not get home 'til 3am. I am so tired... What did you do on the weekend?
Cameron: My weekend wasn't as eventful as yours, but it couldn't be helped. I had two essays that are due today, so I had a lot of writing to do this weekend. However... I took a break and went to the beach yesterday, so it wasn't all work.
Jake: Well, I have a lecture right now, but I will catch up with you later.
Cameron: Sure! Talk to you then.
Jake: Okay, bye.
Now you can practice talking about past events too! Make up your own questions. Talk about where you are from, your childhood experiences or what you did last weekend. Practice with a friend or on your own.
Example:
Question: What did you do last weekend?
Answer: ____________________________________________________________ .
Answer Hint:
They went: nature/ siteseeing/to a picnic/partying/to the gym.
I went: home/to a party/basketball game/studied.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Self-Introduction
We know what it takes to have a conversation, now let's look at how to introduce yourself.
The first thing you want to do when introducing yourself is to give your first name (in informal situations) and/or your full name (in formal situations). Then talk about where you are from (your hometown or country of origin), your major or occupation (whichever applies), then talk about your hobbies. Here is a sample dialog detailing what this conversation should look like.
Dialog:
Akio and Gregory are in the waiting area at the public library waiting for it to open. However, they decided to make small talk while waiting for the library to open.
Akio: Hi. My name is is Akio. Nice to meet you.
Gregory: Nice to meet you, too. My name is Gregory, but you can call me Greg. I just recently moved here (to New York) from California.
Akio: I did my business major in California at UCLA. It's a very nice place. I was born in Tokyo, Japan, but I've lived in New York most of my life with my mom, dad and my younger sister.
Gregory: Until recently, I've lived in California my entire life with my mom, dad and my two older brothers. I got my MBA at UCLA too! I graduated in 1995. What year did you graduate?
Akio: I graduated in 1997. So, we were there at the the same time! That's quite some coincidence. I found that almost everyone was into basketball. I learned how to play basketball well at UCLA.
Gregory: That's my favorite sport. Maybe we can both get some of our friends together and play a game or two sometime.
Akio: Sounds like a plan. That would be great. Here is my number, the best time to reach me is in the evenings.
Gregory: Thank you. Here's my number. You can reach me at any time. Bye.
Akio: Thank you. Nice speaking with you. Bye.
Vocabulary/Phrases:
"Hi/Hello. My name is __________ ."
"What's your name?"
"How are you?"
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too."
"Let's get together (sometime)." - this means to meet each other or come together.
"Where are you from?"
"I'm from ___________ (name of place/country)."
"Sounds like a plan." - means "sounds good" or "let's do it."
"What is your major./What are you studying (at the moment)."
"What do you do?"
"Are you a student?"
"I'm a student."
"I am a ________ (doctor/teacher/...)"
Now Your Turn!
Use the vocabulary above to introduce yourself. Then switch roles and practice as often as you can until you are comfortable with the vocabulary.
You: Hi. My name is ___________ (name). What's your name?
Your friend: My name is _______. Nice to meet you." (Shake hands)
You: Nice to meet you too.
Your friend: ___________________ (continue the dialog using the phrases above).
You: ________________ (Respond).
Great job today!
The first thing you want to do when introducing yourself is to give your first name (in informal situations) and/or your full name (in formal situations). Then talk about where you are from (your hometown or country of origin), your major or occupation (whichever applies), then talk about your hobbies. Here is a sample dialog detailing what this conversation should look like.
Dialog:
Akio and Gregory are in the waiting area at the public library waiting for it to open. However, they decided to make small talk while waiting for the library to open.
Akio: Hi. My name is is Akio. Nice to meet you.
Gregory: Nice to meet you, too. My name is Gregory, but you can call me Greg. I just recently moved here (to New York) from California.
Akio: I did my business major in California at UCLA. It's a very nice place. I was born in Tokyo, Japan, but I've lived in New York most of my life with my mom, dad and my younger sister.
Gregory: Until recently, I've lived in California my entire life with my mom, dad and my two older brothers. I got my MBA at UCLA too! I graduated in 1995. What year did you graduate?
Akio: I graduated in 1997. So, we were there at the the same time! That's quite some coincidence. I found that almost everyone was into basketball. I learned how to play basketball well at UCLA.
Gregory: That's my favorite sport. Maybe we can both get some of our friends together and play a game or two sometime.
Akio: Sounds like a plan. That would be great. Here is my number, the best time to reach me is in the evenings.
Gregory: Thank you. Here's my number. You can reach me at any time. Bye.
Akio: Thank you. Nice speaking with you. Bye.
Vocabulary/Phrases:
"Hi/Hello. My name is __________ ."
"What's your name?"
"How are you?"
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too."
"Let's get together (sometime)." - this means to meet each other or come together.
"Where are you from?"
"I'm from ___________ (name of place/country)."
"Sounds like a plan." - means "sounds good" or "let's do it."
"What is your major./What are you studying (at the moment)."
"What do you do?"
"Are you a student?"
"I'm a student."
"I am a ________ (doctor/teacher/...)"
Now Your Turn!
Use the vocabulary above to introduce yourself. Then switch roles and practice as often as you can until you are comfortable with the vocabulary.
You: Hi. My name is ___________ (name). What's your name?
Your friend: My name is _______. Nice to meet you." (Shake hands)
You: Nice to meet you too.
Your friend: ___________________ (continue the dialog using the phrases above).
You: ________________ (Respond).
Great job today!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Conversational English
We have looked at English basics, vocabulary and other relevant skills. Now let's take a look at basic conversational skills.
The most important element of any conversation is confidence. Many people know enough English to have a conversation, but are too shy or self-conscious to speak, especially with a native speaker. Pronunciation is also very important, because of the mere fact that if you cannot clearly enunciate your words then others will have a difficult time understanding you. Finally, sentence structure… It's very important to be able to clearly organize your thoughts and ideas so that others can understand what it is that you are trying to communicate.
The most important element of any conversation is confidence. Many people know enough English to have a conversation, but are too shy or self-conscious to speak, especially with a native speaker. Pronunciation is also very important, because of the mere fact that if you cannot clearly enunciate your words then others will have a difficult time understanding you. Finally, sentence structure… It's very important to be able to clearly organize your thoughts and ideas so that others can understand what it is that you are trying to communicate.
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