You have just completed your spoken English course and can now speak fluently and confidently. However, while the course has taught you to break the ice and initiate conversations easily, the difficulty lies in seamlessly transitioning from one topic to another, which seems daunting. The end of a conversation means the end of an opportunity, especially in the business world. This skill is particularly crucial in the business world, where the ability to keep a conversation going can make or break a deal that your company has been eyeing for years.
How do you continue the conversation in English?
Cafe Converse, Delhi’s top spoken English institute shares a few tips to continue with your conversation.
1. Open-ended Questions
Instead of questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” ask questions that encourage the other person to share more details.
Open-ended questions serve as excellent transition tools. When you feel a topic is ending, pose a question that invites your conversation partner to share more. For example:
“What are your thoughts on…”
“How do you see this impacting…”
“Could you elaborate on…”
Instead of asking:
“Did you have a great day?” you may ask: “What did you do today?”
“Did you enjoy the conference today?” you may ask: “What were your key takeaways from the conference?”
Let’s take a look at the conversation between two co-workers
Person 1: “Hey, did you catch that meeting? The boss dropped some big news.”
Person 2: “Yeah, about the upcoming project. Exciting, right? But I wonder how it’ll impact our deadlines.”
Person 3: “True. We might need to shuffle priorities. By the way, have you thought about the team dynamics? Any ideas on how we can make this transition smoother?”
Person 4: “I’m brainstorming. Let’s grab coffee later and discuss more.”
2. Use Connectors
One of the most effective ways to transition between topics is by using meaningful connectors. These are words or phrases that connect ideas, sentences, etc, and help maintain the logical flow of the conversation.
For instance, “Speaking of which…”
“On a related note…”
“That reminds me…”
“By the way…”
Sentence 1: Our company is launching a new product next month.
With Connector: On a related note, have you been following the latest trends in the industry?
Sentence 2: I was at the bookstore yesterday, and I found an interesting novel.
With Connector: That reminds me, have you read any good books lately?
These connectors help smoothly shift from one topic to another, ensuring the conversation remains engaging and connected. They also provide a natural segue, allowing participants to introduce related or follow-up information without abrupt shifts.
3. Express Interest in other speakers
Expressing interest in a conversation can be achieved with just a single word, demonstrating attentiveness. For instance, when someone shares a personal experience, a simple “Wow!” can convey your engagement. Similarly, responding with “Really?” or “Interesting!” in moments of revelation indicates active listening. Using brief affirmations like “Oh!” or “Hmm…” expresses curiosity and encourages the speaker to continue. These concise responses serve as powerful tools to validate the speaker’s thoughts and create an interactive and engaging dialogue, fostering a sense of connection in the conversation.
4. Be Curious
Encourage prolonged English conversations with the versatile phrase ‘Tell me more about…’ This expression not only signals your genuine interest but also steers the discussion towards your preferences. Imagine nodding along to a friend’s vacation stories and smoothly transitioning to, ‘Fascinating! What’s the work culture like at Company X?’ This approach fosters engaging dialogue, ensuring an extended and meaningful English conversation.
5. Use Anecdotes to make the conversation interesting
Anecdotes and personal experiences can be powerful conversation catalysts. When relevant, share a brief story or personal insight related to the current topic. This not only adds a personal touch but also opens the door for a smooth transition to a new subject.
“That reminds me of a similar situation I encountered…”
“I had a similar experience when…”
Be mindful not to dominate the conversation with your own stories, but use them strategically to enhance the discussion.
6. Watch out for Non-Verbal Cues
Besides using words, notice how someone acts or looks. If they’re interested and involved, keep talking about what you’re discussing. But if their body language shows they’re not interested, it might be a good idea to smoothly switch to a different topic.
These are just a few ways to enhance your conversational skills. Employ open-ended questions, utilize connectors for smooth transitions, express genuine interest, foster curiosity with phrases like “Tell me more about,” sprinkle in anecdotes, and be attentive to non-verbal cues.
Ms Sonu Goel is a professionally acclaimed certified ESL trainer from the British Council having 15 years of strong background for teaching the English language in both online and physical classes. She is dedicated to teaching of English in an interactive and practical way, whereby learners feel enriched with knowledge and experience the language hands-on. She uses creative ideas and aids to let the learning happen as organically and efficiently as possible. Ms Goel has travelled to various European countries and experienced an array of cultures and linguistic skills for the English language.
To learn more about Sonu Goel please visit : https://cafeconverse.com/best-english-tutor-coach-teacher-sonu-goel.html
