Thiên Bình
11-02-2010, 08:42 PM
Speaking Tips
MAKING SURE YOU UNDERSTAND
http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/curriculum/curriculum_images/268200820580understand.jpg
In a conversation, sometimes you need to make sure you understand what the other people are saying or taking about, especially when they say a proper name or talk about something long and complicated. You may:
* Show that you are confused:
I’m sorry, this is a little bit confusing.
I’m very confused. I can’t understand what you are saying.
I’m all mixed up. Can you explain it again?
* Ask the speaker to repeat the word or sentence:
I’m sorry. Could you repeat that, please?
Sorry?
Pardon?
* Ask the speaker to speak more slowly:
Excuse me, could you speak more slowly?
Excuse me, I didn’t (quite) catch that.
* Ask about meaning:
Sorry, I don’t know. What does “atomic weight” mean?
What do you mean, please?
Sorry, I’m not sure. What do you mean by “atomic weight”?
Could you explain what “atomic weight” is?
Could you tell me what “atomic weight” is?
* Ask about translation:
What is “atomic weight” in Vietnamese?
What’s it called in Vietnamese?
What do you call it in Vietnamese?
* Ask about spelling:
How do you spell “atomic weight”?
Can you spell thay word, please?
* Ask about pronunciation:
How do you say this word?
How do you pronounce “atomic” in English?
* Repeat what the speaker has said, according to your understanding (say it in your own words):
Do you mean that it is the weight of an atom?
Did you say that “atomic weight” is the weight of an atom?
* Repeat exactly what the speaker has said:
The weight of an atom?
From Australia?
Here is a conversation between a Chinese (C) who is a little lost and a passed-by (P) in Ho Chi Minh City:
C: Excuse me, could you tell me where Bach Van Street is, please?
P: Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.
C: Bach Van Street. I’m trying to find Bach Van Street.
P: How do you spell that?
C: B-A-C-H-V-A-N.
P: Oh, yes. Bach Van Street. Right. It’s not far. Go along this street, and you’ll come to some traffic lights. Turn left…
C: I’m sorry. Could you speak more slowly, please?
P: OK. Go along this street…
C: Yes.
P: And you’ll see some traffic lights.
C: I’m sorry. I can’t understand. What is “traffic lights”?
P: Traffic lights? They are red, orange, and green. We use them to stop the traffic.
C: Sorry, it’s a little bit confusing. What does “traffic” mean?
P: Traffic? You know, bicycles, motorbikes, cars, buses,…
C: Ah, yes, yes.
P: So, at the traffic lights, turn left and then take the second on your right. That’s An Binh Street. Walk along An Binh Street and Bach Van Street is the first on your left.
C: Er, sorry. Could you repeat that, please?
P: At the traffic lights, turn left. OK?
C: OK.
P: Then take the second on your right, An Binh Street. Got it?
C: Got it.
P: Go along An Binh Street, and you’ll see Bach Van Street on the left.
C: Thank you very much.
P: Not at all.
Exercises
I. Match the sentences in group A with the sentences in group B. Put them in the correct order to make a conversation.
Group A
1. Good morning. Can I help you?
2. Yes. DRI 463.014.
3. How do you spell “Driffield”?
4. Ah, I know it. It’s called “Cowboys in the Wild West”. Look under DRI 463.014.
5. Sorry. I didn’t quite catch that.
6. And what’s the name of the book?
Group B
1. Could you repeat that, please?
2. D-R-I, double F, I-E-D. Richard Driffield.
3. I’m not sure. But it’s about cowboys and Indians.
4. Thank you very much.
5. Yes, I’m looking for a book by Richard Driffield.
6. Cowboys and Indians.
The correct order: A1-B5,_______________________________________
II. Complete this dialogue.
Officer: Next, please. Good afternoon, sir. May I have your disembarkation card?
Tourist: (1)_______________________________________________ _____
O: Your landing card. Do you have one?
T: No, I have no card.
O: I see. Well, I’m afraid you need one. Here, let me help you. First of all, could I have your surname, please?
T: (2)_______________________________________________ __________
O: Yes, your last name. You know, your family name.
T: Ah, yes, Rosenzweig.
O: (3)_______________________________________________ _________
T: Rosenzweig.
O: (4)_______________________________________________ _________
T: R-O-S-E-N-Z-W-E-I-G.
O: R-O-S-E-N-Z-W-E-I-G. And now your first name?
T: Albrecht.
O: (5)_______________________________________________ _________
T: A-L-B-R-E-C-H-T.
O: All right. And what’s your occupation, Mr. Rosenzweig?
T: (6)_______________________________________________ __________
O: What do you do?
T: (7)_______________________________________________ __________
O: Yes.
T: I am a businessman.
O: And when were you born?
T: (8)_______________________________________________ __________
O: June 17, 1926. And your nationality? What country do you come from?
T: My country?... Austria.
O: so you’re Austrian. And what’s the reason for your trip?
T: (9)_______________________________________________ __________
O: Why do you come to the United States?
T: Why? To visit my brother.
O: Fine. What’s his address, please?
T: (10)______________________________________________ __________
O: Yes, your brother’s address. Where does he live?
T: 238 East 82nd St, New York.
O: 238 East 82nd St, New York. OK, that’s it. Have a nice stay.
MAKING SURE YOU UNDERSTAND
http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/curriculum/curriculum_images/268200820580understand.jpg
In a conversation, sometimes you need to make sure you understand what the other people are saying or taking about, especially when they say a proper name or talk about something long and complicated. You may:
* Show that you are confused:
I’m sorry, this is a little bit confusing.
I’m very confused. I can’t understand what you are saying.
I’m all mixed up. Can you explain it again?
* Ask the speaker to repeat the word or sentence:
I’m sorry. Could you repeat that, please?
Sorry?
Pardon?
* Ask the speaker to speak more slowly:
Excuse me, could you speak more slowly?
Excuse me, I didn’t (quite) catch that.
* Ask about meaning:
Sorry, I don’t know. What does “atomic weight” mean?
What do you mean, please?
Sorry, I’m not sure. What do you mean by “atomic weight”?
Could you explain what “atomic weight” is?
Could you tell me what “atomic weight” is?
* Ask about translation:
What is “atomic weight” in Vietnamese?
What’s it called in Vietnamese?
What do you call it in Vietnamese?
* Ask about spelling:
How do you spell “atomic weight”?
Can you spell thay word, please?
* Ask about pronunciation:
How do you say this word?
How do you pronounce “atomic” in English?
* Repeat what the speaker has said, according to your understanding (say it in your own words):
Do you mean that it is the weight of an atom?
Did you say that “atomic weight” is the weight of an atom?
* Repeat exactly what the speaker has said:
The weight of an atom?
From Australia?
Here is a conversation between a Chinese (C) who is a little lost and a passed-by (P) in Ho Chi Minh City:
C: Excuse me, could you tell me where Bach Van Street is, please?
P: Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.
C: Bach Van Street. I’m trying to find Bach Van Street.
P: How do you spell that?
C: B-A-C-H-V-A-N.
P: Oh, yes. Bach Van Street. Right. It’s not far. Go along this street, and you’ll come to some traffic lights. Turn left…
C: I’m sorry. Could you speak more slowly, please?
P: OK. Go along this street…
C: Yes.
P: And you’ll see some traffic lights.
C: I’m sorry. I can’t understand. What is “traffic lights”?
P: Traffic lights? They are red, orange, and green. We use them to stop the traffic.
C: Sorry, it’s a little bit confusing. What does “traffic” mean?
P: Traffic? You know, bicycles, motorbikes, cars, buses,…
C: Ah, yes, yes.
P: So, at the traffic lights, turn left and then take the second on your right. That’s An Binh Street. Walk along An Binh Street and Bach Van Street is the first on your left.
C: Er, sorry. Could you repeat that, please?
P: At the traffic lights, turn left. OK?
C: OK.
P: Then take the second on your right, An Binh Street. Got it?
C: Got it.
P: Go along An Binh Street, and you’ll see Bach Van Street on the left.
C: Thank you very much.
P: Not at all.
Exercises
I. Match the sentences in group A with the sentences in group B. Put them in the correct order to make a conversation.
Group A
1. Good morning. Can I help you?
2. Yes. DRI 463.014.
3. How do you spell “Driffield”?
4. Ah, I know it. It’s called “Cowboys in the Wild West”. Look under DRI 463.014.
5. Sorry. I didn’t quite catch that.
6. And what’s the name of the book?
Group B
1. Could you repeat that, please?
2. D-R-I, double F, I-E-D. Richard Driffield.
3. I’m not sure. But it’s about cowboys and Indians.
4. Thank you very much.
5. Yes, I’m looking for a book by Richard Driffield.
6. Cowboys and Indians.
The correct order: A1-B5,_______________________________________
II. Complete this dialogue.
Officer: Next, please. Good afternoon, sir. May I have your disembarkation card?
Tourist: (1)_______________________________________________ _____
O: Your landing card. Do you have one?
T: No, I have no card.
O: I see. Well, I’m afraid you need one. Here, let me help you. First of all, could I have your surname, please?
T: (2)_______________________________________________ __________
O: Yes, your last name. You know, your family name.
T: Ah, yes, Rosenzweig.
O: (3)_______________________________________________ _________
T: Rosenzweig.
O: (4)_______________________________________________ _________
T: R-O-S-E-N-Z-W-E-I-G.
O: R-O-S-E-N-Z-W-E-I-G. And now your first name?
T: Albrecht.
O: (5)_______________________________________________ _________
T: A-L-B-R-E-C-H-T.
O: All right. And what’s your occupation, Mr. Rosenzweig?
T: (6)_______________________________________________ __________
O: What do you do?
T: (7)_______________________________________________ __________
O: Yes.
T: I am a businessman.
O: And when were you born?
T: (8)_______________________________________________ __________
O: June 17, 1926. And your nationality? What country do you come from?
T: My country?... Austria.
O: so you’re Austrian. And what’s the reason for your trip?
T: (9)_______________________________________________ __________
O: Why do you come to the United States?
T: Why? To visit my brother.
O: Fine. What’s his address, please?
T: (10)______________________________________________ __________
O: Yes, your brother’s address. Where does he live?
T: 238 East 82nd St, New York.
O: 238 East 82nd St, New York. OK, that’s it. Have a nice stay.