Dialogues on the topic: “Talking on the phone. Standard conversational phrases in English for everyday conversations How to start a conversation in English

Beginners often find it difficult to speak English. Written assignments are given without problems, everything is clear by ear, it’s possible to read, but talking to a living person is for the life of me. Words do not climb and that's it. How to overcome this psychological the language barrier?

1. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are not only inevitable, they are necessary.

In wrestling, before teaching to knock down an opponent, they teach how to fall correctly. Falling is an integral part of the fight, so the athlete must be able to fall so as not to be injured. In learning a language, “falling”, that is, making mistakes, is no less common. This is an essential part of the study. It cannot be avoided. Moreover, without mistakes it is impossible to improve language proficiency.

It goes something like this.

• You need to express some thought, for example, tell the time in English.
• The first time you say with an error.
• In the second one too.
• But in the third or tenth it will already be correct.

Mistakes in oral speech are one of the tools for learning a language. Having made a mistake, we notice it and mentally correct it, the probability of stepping on the same rake becomes less. The more wrong we are, the better we speak.

2. Don't try to be perfectly correct

You may think that if you order a hamburger in a diner, build a phrase incorrectly, the waiter will drop the tray in horror, and all the visitors will immediately stop chewing and stare at you with reproachful looks. Don't worry, this will not happen! From the school bench, we are used to the fact that mistakes are something bad, shameful, and they are punished for them. But life is different.

Firstly, native speakers themselves speak, making such mistakes for which they would give a “deuce” at school in an English lesson, secondly, a foreigner in you can be seen from a mile away, so no one will be surprised by an accent or roughness of speech, and thirdly, perfection in language learning is impossible to achieve. If you assign a person to you who will write down everything you say in Russian all day, you will be very surprised when you read the summary. In our native language, we speak casually and with errors.

If you think over every word, translate phrases in your mind, remembering, carefully follow, it will be difficult to speak, and your speech will turn out to be slow, with frequent pauses and “ekans”.

3. Writing in English is a great practice

Corresponding in English is a great practice that is often neglected. Unlike oral speech, during correspondence there is time to think, pick up words, look into. There is no difficulty in understanding spoken language, because in a conversation it is sometimes not so much difficult to say something as to understand the interlocutor.

In addition, starting to correspond with foreigners is psychologically easier than talking. If you are terrified at the thought of speaking even with a stranger in English, try first texting, and then move on to more personal verbal contact.

Corresponding, you will expand the active lexicon, better learn how to make sentences, learn how to express thoughts in English simply and briefly. All this will help in speaking, but you need to understand that the skill of free fluent speech is developed only with conversational practice.

4. Speak English using language social networks

Writing practice, watching films in English, reading indirectly help to learn to speak, as they contribute to the expansion of vocabulary, understanding of speech. But for the most part, conversational skills are developed through conversational practice.

Speaking practice cannot be replaced by anything. It cannot be replaced by translation or listening exercises. It's like learning to play tennis by watching matches on TV. Of course, it is useful to watch and analyze other people's games, but skills are developed only when you pick up a racket and enter the court.

Finding a foreign interlocutor is very easy with the help of language social networks, like. In general, the Internet has brought many conveniences to the study of languages, but the ability to communicate via video link with foreigners is the most significant. For many, this is the only possible way to speak English.

5. Keep it simple

In our native language, we communicate in writing more “smartly” than orally: we select beautiful phrases, not the most obvious epithets, twist witticisms and sayings. But oral speech is spontaneous: words break out of the tongue faster than we have time to think about them. If, however, you start talking with prettiness, carefully choosing words and building graceful turns, the speech will come out strained, with pauses.

In a foreign language, too, you should not be too smart in a conversation. The simpler you express your thoughts, the easier, freer, and often more understandable the speech will come out.

Follow the easiest path:

• Choose your words better. Owning synonyms makes speech richer, but words large, huge, enormous in a conversation can be replaced with a simple big especially if you don't remember them well.
• Speak in simple sentences. It is better to say three short phrases without problems than to get confused in one long one.

In other words, take the words and constructions that lie on the surface of memory, are in the most active part of the active vocabulary. With practice, this asset will become more and more, and speech will become richer.

6. Feel free to ask again

Many find it more difficult than with a Russian speaking English speaking teacher. Indeed, at first, even a simple “Good morning” may seem like a hodgepodge of inarticulate sounds - with the practice of listening, communication, this passes. But what if you do not understand individual remarks or words of the interlocutor?

There are two options:

• Pretend that you understand everything and continue talking as if nothing had happened.
• Ask again.

I admit that I myself sinned the first option. As a result, firstly, I did not understand the essence of the missed phrase, and secondly, the interlocutor, seeing that I "understand him perfectly", continue to speak without making allowances for the fact that I am not a native speaker, complicating everything and complicating speech.

Much better - ask again. Don't worry about showing your incompetence or looking stupid. English has many pronunciation options, so the situation when the interlocutor did not hear or misunderstood something is normal even among native speakers. And if you are interested in the meaning of some obscure words, you only demonstrate curiosity and indifference to the language.

7. Take the lead

When you are, he builds the lesson in such a way that you talk more: ask questions, retell cases from life, express an opinion, argue. At first, speech is given with a scratch, but then you warm up, get carried away with the conversation so much that you stop paying attention to mistakes and notice that you speak a foreign language. Such free, casual and enthusiastic chatter in English greatly helps to develop conversational skills.

But if you're just chatting with a foreigner on Skype, you may get caught talking interlocutor, and you will be tempted to turn into a listener and answer in monosyllables, like: Yes, No, Wow! Really? Such "conversations" are of little use. Do not let this happen, try to actively participate in the conversation.

Conclusion

Since childhood, we have been accustomed to treating English as a school subject, it is inextricably linked in our minds with good and bad grades, punishments and tests. But language is primarily a means of communication, not notebooks, diaries and lessons. Feel free to speak English. Talk, talk at your pleasure, without worrying about mistakes, and with practice you will notice that speech becomes more and more relaxed and correct.

Friends! I don't do tutoring right now, but if you need a teacher, I recommend this wonderful site- there are native (and non-native) teachers there 👅 for all occasions and for every pocket 🙂 I myself went through more than 80 lessons with teachers that I found there! I advise you to try it too!

Every avid tourist is simply obliged to visit England at least once. Everything here is steeped in history. In the largest city in Europe - London, a huge number of medieval buildings have survived to this day, each of which carries the memory of past centuries. Many people think that the UK is one country, but if you travel often, you should know that it includes 4 magnificent countries: Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. In each of them you can find something new and interesting for yourself.

Common phrases

Appeals

At the station

At customs

Walk around the city

Emergencies

In transport

At the hotel

Seasons of the day and year

Numerals

In the shop

Cafes, bars, restaurants

Our Russian-English phrasebook consists of common conversation topics:

Greetings - phrases with which you can start any conversation, and just greet a familiar person.

Standard phrases - during the trip you will repeatedly have to turn to passers-by for help, this topic will help you in communicating with the locals. Here are collected common words and phrases that are most often used in the lexicon.

Station - all the necessary phrases and words that have to be used at stations.

Passport control - words that will be useful to you during passport control.

Orientation in the city - walking through some of the English cities, you can get lost. This theme will help you get where you need to go or find a place or place that interests you.

Transport - translation and pronunciation of words and phrases that will be useful to you in public transport, or in order to find the nearest stop.

Hotel - not every hotel understands Russian. Therefore, for a smooth check-in at the hotel and further comfortable living in it, this section will come in handy.

Emergencies - there are also unpleasant moments during the holidays, just at such moments this topic will help you out. You can call for help, call an ambulance or the police, etc.

Dates and time - in order to be in time always and everywhere, you need to know what time it is, but if you forgot your watch, this topic will help passers-by know the time. There is also a translation of months and days of weeks.

Shopping - all the necessary phrases for shopping. Here is a translation of words that will help you with the purchase of products in the market or with the purchase of clothes in the most sophisticated boutiques.

Restaurant - while walking around the city, you got hungry and decided to have a bite to eat in a restaurant? But if you don't know English, you can't even order a cup of coffee. This theme includes the translation of phrases with which you can comfortably spend time in a restaurant without feeling any language barrier.

Numbers and numbers are a very important and frequently used topic. Without knowing how to pronounce numbers and numbers in English, you will not be able to pay for purchases, find out the schedule of certain events, and so on. This thread fixes a similar issue.

Recently, I conducted an individual Skype consultation for one of the participants in the English Diet conversational English training. Already at the end of the conversation, Galina remarked sadly:

– Of course, I understand that the main thing in learning a language is practice, but where will I find English-speaking interlocutors if I live in a small town, away from the enterprises that expatriates work for and from places of interest to tourists? For Skype training, carriers charge from $ 20, for them this is the minimum rate, but for me - a lot of money. I really like to train with you, but I'm afraid to forget everything learned at the training.

“Galina,” I answered, “we live in the 21st century!” In the world, several billion people speak English, and now almost everyone has a phone or computer with Internet access. I'm sure you can easily find someone to talk to.

- No, I can't. Who wants to talk to me? I don't trust dating sites, but where else can you find normal people to chat with?

– Have you ever tried? I asked Galina.

“I don’t even want to waste time on this,” she said sharply.

We completed the consultation, but the sediment, as they say, remained.

And so I decided to give Galina and all my subscribers a small gift: to record a lesson on how you can find an English-speaking interlocutor within an hour and talk with him on any topic that interests you and him. I launched the video recording program and registered in real time on the language exchange site https://www.conversationexchange.com/. There I found a native speaker of British English and spoke with him for about half an hour. The whole thing took me less than two hours. When I cut out pauses and technical moments, it turned out interesting video, in which:
the registration process on the language exchange site is described step by step;
a fragment of a conversation with a native speaker of British English is given;
are given practical advice organization and conduct of such conversations and their effective use to improve your English.

The list of language exchange sites that I like is below.

Russian-English phrasebook with pronunciation

Going on a trip to cities and countries, where they speak english take this one with you english phrasebook. By studying it, you will know how to speak english correctly, Pay special attention to the Pronunciation column.

English is easy enough to learn language. Most sentences can be built by simply taking the right words from a dictionary.

Next summer we plan to visit London. We are planning to visit London next summer.

Words do not change by gender, which greatly facilitates the study, and plural is formed very easily, you need to add the letter s to the end of the modified word (but there are exceptions to the rules). The following is an example of plural formation:

Where can I buy the ticket? Where can I buy a ticket?

Where can I buy tickets? Where can I buy tickets?

Please note that if you pronounce some words incorrectly, misunderstanding between the interlocutors is possible. In English, there is a difference between the pronunciation of long and short vowels. For example, the short full (ful) means filled, and the long fool (fuul) means a fool. 🙂 Long vowel in our Russian-English phrasebook with pronunciation marked with a (:) symbol in the pronunciation column. Studying this English, You will learn how to speak english correctly and enrich your vocabulary with new words and expressions.

Dear guests of the Bambooot travel club, you have viewed english phrasebook. It is generally accepted that English language is an international colloquial language, but for more comfortable communication abroad, you may need other foreign languages. You can find them at the following links:

We are waiting for interesting feedback and suggestions from you on how to improve ours.

I listen, I read, and I understand everything. But now they ask me a question, but I can’t connect two words in response. Yes, and there is nothing special to connect: all the words seemed to have evaporated from memory ...

I think the described emotions are familiar to many. There is a so-called "dog problem" or “I understand everything, but I can’t say” due to the fact that the student from the very beginning does not develop active skills - speaking and writing. It seems to him that first you need to perfectly master English language: learn all the rules, frequency words, etc.

This is especially common among ardent perfectionists. They end up getting so stuck in "learning" that they bring their passive skills to above average levels, but never dare to open their mouths themselves.

What to do? Speak more often!

And now I can already see how rotten tomatoes flew at us. 🙂 Tell the person "talk more often" when there is a reinforced concrete language barrier in front of him, it's like saying crying man: "Well, you, this ... don't cry".

I think you already know what to say without us: communicate with foreigners on special sites; conduct in English (foreigners can also check them); go to courses where they talk a lot, etc.

BUT! You can and should independently perform special "exercises".

First: we translate the passive dictionary into an active one

Yes, the main difficulty lies precisely in the fact that words and grammatical units are in our passive. We learn the word - we learn, but we ourselves cannot say it.

But what if you already have an impressive passive vocabulary? We have 3 ways to activate it:

1. Read texts your level and retell the content aloud. So you first remind yourself of the words (during reading), and then activate them in speech (during retelling).

You already have a vocabulary, just activate it!

2. Before the planned communication - with a foreigner, in a language club, etc. - make for yourself a list of words that you want to activate and use them purposefully in speech.

3. Practice back-translating practice more often - when you are translating Russian word into English, and not vice versa. These are workouts.

WE RECOMMEND: set a goal to pump and activate the vocabulary that you already have. That is, align the levels of proficiency in passive skills (listening and reading) and active ones (speaking and writing). The most effective way to do this is to retell the read texts at YOUR level, where you know ≈ 85% of the vocabulary.

Second: get rid of language barriers

Another one common cause"silence" is fear of speaking in a foreign language. How will I sound? What's wrong with my pronunciation? How is it even possible to speak a foreign language?!

Calm down. You have the opportunity to rehearse. And you will overcome your fear, and at the same time you will shake other skills:

1. Speak along with the announcer. Work in this sequence: first you just listen to the recording, then you listen and repeat FOR the speaker - you pause after some passage and pronounce his phrase after, the third step - you speak at the same time as him.

So you will accustom yourself to rhythm, intonation and, in general, to pronunciation of English speech.

2. Read English lyrics aloud. Then you will get used to the sound of your voice in English + it will help you at the level of "mechanical memory": at this moment you will speak! Let not your thoughts, but still - speak!

Relax and rehearse by yourself. The image is a frame from the film The King's Speech.

3. Talk to yourself. You are constantly thinking about something. So think in English. Happened? Now, think out loud! Try to speak out loud in the language you are learning as often as possible.

WE RECOMMEND: accustom your brain, speech apparatus, hearing to your own English speech. Speak audio recordings - monologues, songs, etc. - after the announcer, read aloud, talk to yourself. Then it will not be so scary to “open your mouth” and speak English with a real person.

The main thing is not to be afraid of mistakes. Don't even call them "mistakes". These are temporary errors that will be corrected in the future. To do this, you just need to keep practicing the language. In any case, your speech, sometimes incorrect, will be better than proper silence.

To sum up: how to start speaking English

1. If you are just starting to learn a language, then learn from the mistakes of others: immediately, from the first day of learning, develop not only passive skills, but also active ones.
2. For speech practice, use not only obvious means - special sites for communicating with foreigners, language courses, etc. - but also independent exercises.
3. First of all, set yourself the goal of pumping, activating the existing vocabulary.
4. Also work on the language barrier: get used to the sound of your voice in English.
5. Do not be afraid of anything. Be ready to be corrected, ask for it yourself and rejoice in the opportunity to correct your small mistakes.

Are you already on Lingualeo?

We will finish for today. to pump all other skills: reading, listening, writing. 🙂