Lesson 2. Everyday Conversation.
4. okt. 2015,
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This time, we are going to concentrate on everyday conversation and
phrases we cannot really do without. Let us go back to the first lesson
and remember greetings. Can You list them in Your mind according to each
situation? What are the approximate situations for each of the ways of
saying good-bye? Consider it for a while and use Your imagination.To refresh Your ability of immediate reaction, let us study the following list of everyday expressions. Think how to finish each sentence and answer the questions; write down the examples if You wish. Use full sentences.
1. Do You speak English?
2. Do You speak any other languages?
3. What languages do You speak?
4. I'd like... 5. We'd like...
6. Would You like (to)...?
7. Do You want (to) ...?
8. Do You have (a/ an/ any)...?
(Think of formality levels here.)
9. Is there a...? 10. Are there any...?
11. What is it? 12. How much is it?
13. Where is...? 14. Where are...?
15. How...? 16. Why...? 17. When...? 18. What...?
19. How are You? (How many variants of answers can You list here? Comment.)
20. How fast is Your reaction?
Think of other examples that would require immediate clear answers and practice with a friend. You can also make lists of questions and exchange them.
Good luck in Your training!
Lesson 1. Greetings.
3. sep. 2015,
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How are You there under Your umbrellas? Here is what I have decided to do these rainy days. Many of us are using English in our daily lives, and I suppose it would be nice to review key moments from time to time. I enjoy every little bit of my English since the very beginning of my studies at the age of five and I encourage You to get on this exciting language journey together.Today, let us take a look at the greetings. This seemingly easy topic is more complicated and more interesting when You take a close up.
Let us divide greetings according to the levels of formality an give a brief commentary upon their function in the speech.
The sample functions for the first part are given.
Part I. Hello.
Formally, You'd say -
Hello! - Your universal greeting;
Good morning/ afternoon/ evening! - You say it according the time of the day;
Let me/ may I introduce myself. My name is... -You are saying who You are;
Let me introduce You to.../ I'd like You to meet... - You'd like to get to know others;
Pleased to meet You. / Very nice to meet You. - You show gratitude and pleasure upon the meeting a new person;
How do You do? - You say it only when meeting somebody for a first time, and the answer to this phrase should be the same phrase with a comparative level of a curiosity.
Informally, You'd say -
Hi!/ Hello! - Your friends and relatives most probably would be glad to hear such a
greeting unless this is more or less official occasion;
My name is.../I'm... - Simple way to say who You are;
This is... - A simple way to introduce somebody else;
Nice to meet You - A modest gratitude upon meeting a new friend in a informal environment;
How are You? How are You doing? - Two types of questions to ask if You are interested in the further conversation on a more personal level. Note: the first one is more formal than the second.
Now the second part comes, "Good-bye". Try to read and think of a possible phrase function in Your mind.Write it down in Your notebook and/or make a table for both parts, if You wish. Translate into Your native tongue.
Part II. Good-bye.
Formally, You'd say -
I'd like to say good-bye.
Perhaps we'll meet again sometime.
I'm looking forward (I look forward) to seeing You again soon/ next week, etc.
Please write me a letter sometime.
Please let me know how You are.
I will/ I won't forget/ I promise.
Informally, You'd say -
Good-bye./ Bye.
Take care./ So long.
I hope to see You again soon.
See You later (tomorrow/next week, etc.)
I'll miss You./ I'll think of You often.
Write me a letter.
Call me./ Give me a call.
Let me know how you're doing.
I'll call You (write You) when I get there.
I'm off now, bye.
See You!
Have a good/nice day!
So as we can see, it is important to orient ourselves in the current spoken situation. Another thing that You have to keep in mind is friendly, non-threatening intonation. Practicing in front of the mirror also gives a nice and long-lasting effect as to the making a good impression during the first meeting.
Practice the following situations.
1. Say hello to Your American friend that You have just met at the birthday party.
2. Introduce a new friend to Your mother or father.
3. Say hello to Your English teacher.
4.Introduce Your English teacher to Mr. Johnson.
5. Say hello to Your boss in the morning.
6. Say hello to Your colleague in the afternoon.
7. Say hello to the University professor in the evening.
8. Introduce two students to each other.
9. Say good-bye to Your English teacher.
10. Say good-bye to Your mother or father.
11. Say good-bye to Your best friend.
12. Say good-bye to Your boyfriend/ girlfriend or husband/wife.
Finally, here is a song to listen to and analyze. Translating into Your native tongue would be a great fun, so take Your time. Here is the full text.
The Beatles - Hello Goodbye
You say "Yes", I say "No".
You say "Stop" and I say "Go, go, go".
Oh no.
You say "Goodbye" and I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello.
I say "High", you say "Low".
You say "Why?" And I say "I don't know".
Oh no.
You say "Goodbye" and I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello, hello, hello".
(Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye. Hello, goodbye.)
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello".
(Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye. Hello, goodbye. Hello, goodbye.)
Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you
Say "Goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye".
Oh no.
You say "Goodbye" and I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello".
You say "Yes", I say "No".
(I say "Yes", but I may mean "No").
You say "Stop", I say "Go, go, go".
(I can stay still it's time to go).
Oh, oh no.
You say "Goodbye" and I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello-wow, oh. Hello".
Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa.
Hela, heba, helloa. (Hela.) Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa.
Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa.
This is all for today! I will continue posting brief lessons on everyday topics in the nearest future, so You are welcome to read and comment as well as contact me.
Sources
- Greetings Wordlist from "Happy English II" (1997:21-22) by Klementyeva, T., Shannon, J. Obninsk: Titul.
- Song Lyrics. Available at <http://www.lyrics007.com>
Bezmaksas stundas
31. aug. 2015,
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Šeit Jums tiks publicētas bezmaksas stundas no Nataļjas.