English Speaking lessons 01

Speaking English: Lesson 1 - Openings and Closings

Opening a conversation and bringing a conversation to an end are essential parts of our everyday language. You already know how to say hello and good bye, but in this lesson you will study in more detail how Americans perform these functions. You might notice some similarities, as well as some differences, if you compare American conversation openings and closings with those in your native culture.
In the dialogues that follow, read carefully to what the speakers say to greet each other and what they say to indicate that the conversation is over. Notice especially how many interchanges it takes to end a conversation.

Dialogue A:

Mike : Say, Grace, How you doing?*
Grace : Mike! Hey, how are you?
Mike : Not bad. Where you going?*
Grace : Over to Jerry's. How about you?
Mike : Oh. I just got off work. Boy, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!
Grace : Where are you working now?
Mike : J & L Steel. It's a real pain. But I guess I shouldn't complain. Lots of guys are out of work these days
Grace : Yeah, that's the truth. Well, I better let you go get some supper.*
Mike : Yeah. It was great seeing you again. Maybe we could get together sometim.
Grace : Sound good*. I'll give you a call.
Mike : OK. Great. Well, I'll be seeing you.
Grace : OK, Mike. Enjoy your meal.
Mike : Thanks. Bye.
Grace : Bye.

Vocabulary

get off work: finish working for the day
out of work: unemployed
Maybe: Perhaps
complain: To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment

Discussion

What do the two speakers call each other?
How do they greet each other? ( What phrases do they use?)
What does Mike mean in line 8 when he says, "It's a real pain"?
How many exchages does it take Mike and Grace to end the conversation?
How do Mike and Grace say goodbye? ( What phrases do they use?)
Is this a formal conversation? How do you know?

Learning English Speaking Online with live teachers
Free English Grammar
BBC Learning English
VOA Special English

*' Usage Note:
How (are) you doing?, Where (are) you going?, I (had) better, (It) sounds good are all examples of informal speech in which words are dropped.

Dialogue B:

(The telephone rings)
Dean Schubert : Hello. This is Virginia Schubert.
Fred Marshall : Hello, Dean Schubert. My name is Fred Marshall. I'm a reporter from the Times.
Dean Schubert : Yes?
Fred Marshall : I heard about a strange animal at your house. Could I come and talk to you about it?
Dean Schubert : Yes, it certainly would make an amusing story! Can you come this afternoon at 3 o'clock?
Fred Marshall : Yes, that would be fine. Thank you very much. I'll see you then.
Dean Schubert : You're welcome. Good-bye.

Discussion

Why does Fred Marshall telephone Dean Schubert?
What words do they use to greet each other?
Why does Fred thank you?
What is the relationship of the speakers?
Is this dialogue more formal or less formal than Dialogue A?

Learning English Speaking Online with live teachers
Free English Grammar
BBC Learning English
VOA Special English
Reading Comprehension
English Writing

Dialogue C:

Jack : Oh, my gosh, that's Susie Johnson!
Mike : What?
Jack : Over by the bananas. Come on, let's go say hello. ( They go over to Susie.) Hey, Susie!
Susie : What?….Jack?!
Jack : Hey, how are you? Gee, We haven't seen each other in…..it must be close to three years!
Susie : Well, how have you been?
Jack : OK.
Susie : Still working at Lamstons?
Jack : Let's not go into that. Oh, Susie, this is Mike, one of my buddies at work.
Susie : Hi, Mike.
Mike : Hi, how are you?
Jack : Gee we ought to go somewhere to talk. How about Peter's Pub?
Susie : Sounds good. Just give me a minute to pick up a few things for dinner tonight.
Jack : OK. See you at the check-out stand.

Vocabulary

oh my gosh: an expresion that shows surprise
gee: an expression that shows surprise
buddy: good friend
check-out stand: cashier; where you pay for what you buy

Discussion

How many people are there? Where are the speakers? What are they doing when this dialogue begins?
How does Jack say hello?
Identify the ages and relationships of the speakers?
What is the relationship of the speakers?
What can you say about the level of formality here? Why is it appropriate?

Learning English Speaking Online with live teachers
Free English Grammar
BBC Learning English
VOA Special English
Reading Comprehension
English Writing

Greetings

Greetings in all languages have the same purpose: to establish contact with another person, to recognize his or her existance, and to show friendliness. The formulas for greeting are very specific and usually do not carry any literal meaning. People say "Good morning" even if it is a miserable day and may reply to "How are you? with "Fine, thank you," even if they aren't feeling well.

The greeting is always returned, often in the same form but with different stress.

A: How are you?
B: Fine, thanks. How are you?
OR
How are you?
Fine, thanks, and you?
Fine. ( Thanks.)

People who are together everyday greet one another the first time they meet each day. They do not shake hands.

When people have not seen each other for a long time, the greeting is often enthusiastic and is usually accompanied by shaking hands among men, hugging among both men and women, and sometimes a kiss on the cheek among women.

Preclosings and Closings

Usually people don't suddenly quit talking, say goodbye, and leave each other abruptly; ending a conversation normally takes some time.

This involves two kinds of interactions: preclosings and closings.

Preclosings are phrases that signal the end of a conversation
Closings are phrases that explicitly end the conversation.

There are some people with whom it is difficult to end a conversation. The problem is that they usually ignore the signals that end the conversation. With close friends this does not usually cause any severe difficulties; but with people we do not know well or with people in superior positions, it is considered rude to ignore preclosings. If someone ignores your first preclosing, you can use a stronger one (see Phrases section.)

In formal situations, the superior ( in age, status, etc.) usually signals the end of a conversation. On the phone, the caller usually precloses. In informal situations, either speakers may preclose. Preclosings often include thanking a person for something or making an excuse or apology.

Closings, like greetings, are commonly used exchanges with no literal meaning. People who are together every day say goodbye at the end of the day or week ( and wish each other a nice weekend).

When leaving a party, guests always find the host or hostess to say thank you and goodbye. People who are leaving each other permanently or for a long time shake hands or embrace, depending on the relationship. If you are in an unfamiliar situation and wonder what to do, watch other people or ask.

Discussion
What gestures can you use for greeting someone in your country? Do you shake hands? If so, What are the rules for handshakes? How do you end a conversation in your country? Do you have certain expressions to show that you are ready for a conversation to end?