A dialogue between two friends.

A dialogue between two friends making plans for the weekend

What is the conversation 2 friends making plans about?
Laurie and Christie are both friends and are having a conversation about what to do at the weekend. They plan to go to the movies have something to eat and then go shopping.

A conversation between 2 friends

Laurie: So, what are your plans for this weekend?
Christie: I don’t know. Do you want to get together or something?
Sarah: How about going to see a movie? Cinemax26 on Carson Boulevard is showing Enchanted.
Laurie: That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should go out to eat beforehand.
Sarah: It is fine with me. Where do you want to meet?
Christie: Let’s meet at Summer Pizza House. I have not gone there for a long time.
Laurie: Good idea again. I heard they just came up with a new pizza. It should be good because Summer Pizza House always has the best pizza in town.
Sarah: When should we meet?
Christie: Well, the movie is shown at 2:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
Laurie: Why don’t we go to the 2:00PM show? We can meet at Summer Pizza House at noon. That will give us plenty of time to enjoy our pizza.
Sarah: My cousin Karen is in town. Can I bring her along? I hate to leave her home alone.
Christie: Karen is in town? Yes, bring her along. Laurie, you remember Karen? We met her at Sara’s high school graduation party two years ago.
Laurie: I do not quite remember her. What does she look like?
Sarah: She has blond hair, she is kind of slender, and she is about your height.
Laurie: She wears eyeglasses, right?
Sarah: Yes, and she was playing the piano off and on during the party.
Laurie: I remember her now. Yes, do bring her along Sara. She is such a nice person, and funny too.
Sarah: She will be happy to meet both of you again.

Christie: What is she doing these days?
Sarah: She graduated last June, and she will start her teaching career next week when the new school term begins.
Laurie: What grade is she going to teach?
Sarah: She will teach kindergarten. She loves working with kids, and she always has such a good rapport with them.
Christie: Kindergarten? She must be a very patient person. I always think kindergarten is the most difficult class to teach. Most of the kids have never been to school, and they have never been away from mommy for long.
Sarah:  I think Karen will do fine. She knows how to handle young children.
Laurie: I think the first few weeks will be tough. However, once the routine is set, it should not be too difficult to teach kindergarten.
Christie: You are right. The kids might even look forward to going to school since they have so many friends to play with.
Sarah: There are so many new things for them to do at school too. They do a lot of crafts in kindergarten. I am always amazed by the things kindergarten teachers do. 
Laurie: Yes, I have seen my niece come home with so many neat stuff.
Christie: Maybe we can ask Karen to show us some of the things that we can do for this Halloween.
Laurie: Maybe we can stop by the craft store after the movie. What do you think, Sara?
Sarah: I will talk to her. I think she will like that. It will help her with school projects when Halloween comes.
Christie: Michael’s is a good store for crafts. It always carries a variety of things, and you can find almost anything there.
Laurie: There is a Michaelsstore not far away from cinemax26. I believe it is just around the corner, on Pioneer Avenue. We can even walk over there.
Sarah: So, we plan to meet for pizza at noon, go to the movies at two, and shop at Michael’s afterward. Right?
Laurie and Christie: Yes.

Expressions used in the conversation

Get together
It sounds like a good idea
Beforehand
Come up with
She is in town
Bring someone along
Off and on
What is she doing these days?
Teaching career
School term
Kindergarten
Have a good rapport with
Once the routine is set
Look forward to
Craft
School project
A variety of things
It is around the corner\

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Example Convesations in English

conversation in english

If you have something to add to the conversation, here are a few examples of how you can do it:

• "Actually, that happened to me once. It was really [annoying]. "
• "I totally agree. The same thing happened to me too. "
• "That s pretty common. I heard that a lot of people had the same experience. "

You do not need to share too much, but let the group know that you have more information to add. If they want to know more, they can ask for details.

ASKING QUESTION TO THE GROUP

If you notice that some people in a group are not participating as much in a conversation you can ask questions for the whole group. Here are some questions to stimulate more dialogue:

• "Has anyone ever ...?"
• "How many of you think that ...?"
• "Do a lot of you ...?"
• "Which one of you ...?"

Or, you can direct it to an individual. Just be sure not to single them out in an uncomfortable way. Here are some examples:

• "What do you think [Diana]? Has that ever happened to you? "
• "Hey [Carlos]. Did not you also ...? "

MAKING CONNECTIONS TO TWO PEOPLE

You may realise that two of the people in the group have something in common. You can make people feel included and connected by sharing rute observations with the group. Here are some ways to do it:

• "Actually, [Navvab], did not you go there last year too?"
• "You should ask [Samson] about that. He had the same thing happen to him. "
• "[Makoto] has the same phone! Where'd you get yours [Makoto]? "

This can help people feel like a part of the group. Of course, do not let out anyone s secrets!

CLOSING THE CONVERSATION OR LEAVING THE GROUP

If you have to get going and want to excuse yourself from the group, here are some quick and easy ways to do so:

• "Hey, I better get going. I have a long day tomorrow. "
• "Hey Guys. Sorry, but I have to run. It was great chatting with you all. "
• "Oh man, itu getting late. I better head out. "
• "Alright guys. Time for me to go. Have a good one. "

CONVERSATION STARTED IN CONTACT : ON LOCATION

Often what you say directly relates to where you are.

Whether you'RE in a restaurant, the airport or on the job, you should have some phrases handy to start up a conversation that relates to your location.

IN A RESTAURANT

Here are phrases and expressions you can use to start and maintain a conversation in a restaurant or cafe:

• "Do you have a recommendation on any good dishes?"
• "What would you recommend for someone who has not eaten here before?"
• "What is the best drink here?"
• "Do you know if the [chow mein] is any good?"
• "Have you ever had the [asparagus]?"
• "If you had to eat just one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?"
• "What is your favourite dessert?"
• "What is your favourite spicy dish?" (They do not like spicy? Great! Ask them why, and keep the conversation going.)

Finally, here are some phrases you can use at the end of your conversation:

• "Enjoy your pasta!"
• "Have a good meal!"

IN SOMEONE S HOME

If you'RE visiting someone s home YOU'RE in luck! There are an endless supply of possible things to talk about. Just look around the house and you'LL see many things to bring up and discuss.

• "How long have you lived here?"
• "Where did you get this [bookshelf]?" (Or television, chair, porselen fountain, etc.)
• "What is your favourite thing about this house?"
• "How many people live here?"
• "How many rooms does this house have?"
• "Is this house close to [your work]?" (Or school, or the park, or the airport, etc.)
• "How far away is the [supermarket]?"

And here are a few home-specific statements that you can say when leaving someone s home:

• "Thank you for having me over!"
• "Thanks for inviting me to your home."
• "I had a wonderful time."

IN THE STREET

Sometimes you bump into someone when you are out and about. They might be sitting on a park bench, or waiting in line at the bus stop. Here are some questions and statements you can use to start and keep up a conversation:

• "Do you know where a [bakery] is around here?"
• "What street is this?"
• "Do you know what time [bus 37] comes by?"
• "Where can I buy a [bottle of water]?"
• "What is your favourite thing about [this park]?"
• "How crowded are the buses when they get to this stop?"
• "Can you recommend a good restaurant around here?" This can be followed by "What is your favourite dish there?"

AT THE AIRPORT

From personal experience I know that airports are often a place where you have to "hurry up to wait". You rush through customs or security only to sit at the gate waiting for your plane for several hours (or longer if it is delayed). This is a great chance to chat to someone in English. Here are some phrases that can get things started:

• "Have they announce boarding time for this flight?"
• "Is there a place to charge a phone nearby?"
• "So, where are you headed saat?"
• "Do you know what time we arrive at the destination?"
• "Is this your preferred airline?" followed by"why is that?"
• "Are you flying home or are you flying away from home?"
• "Where is the favourite place you pernah ever visited?"
• "Have you ever had the chance to fly in first or business class?" Then "what was it like?"
• "Can you recommend any good restaurants or sights in [Buenos Aires]?"

Because YOU'RE flying somewhere, odds are you will never see your conversation partner again. That means you do not have to worry about making a fool out of yourself because your connection with them will be short lived and temporary. Plus, there is a good chance someone you talk to may have some great suggestions about places to see or things to do in your destination city.

ON THE JOB

If you'RE working among English speakers, then this is a perfect chance to strike up a conversation. After all, you already have something in common! Here are some phrases you can use to start up a conversation with a work colleague:

• "How did you come to work here?"
• "What is your favourite place to eat lunch near the office?"
• "What do you enjoy most about your job?"
• "What is your eventual career plan?"
• "What do you think is the most important thing to succeed in this company?"

AT SCHOOL

You may be a student and find yourself surround  , or perhaps there is an English speaking student at your school. Why not get to know them better? Here are some questions you can use:

• "How long have you been a student here?"
• "What are you studying?"
• "What do you recommend to eat on campus?"
• "Do you know a good, quiet place to study?"
• "What do you plan to do when you finish your studies?"

As you can see, you really can make friends anywhere , and you should never be at a loss for a way to start up a conversation.