English Conversation Handout - 2

(Page Created - 9 April 2001 - Last Updated - 18 June 2001)

 

Introduction.

As this is an English conversation class I ask you to speak to me in English. The best way to improve your language skills is to speak. The important point is not to have perfect grammar, to always use the correct word, to have perfect pronunciation, and never to make mistake. The purpose of speaking English is to communicate. The purpose is to give and receive information. Thus, students must not be afraid of making mistakes. Conversation is about communicating, it is not a test of your English grammar. Most native English speakers are patient and willing to help people who try to speak in English whose first language is not English.

If you speak in English you will be always getting better at speaking English. If you make a mistake, you can learn from a mistake. Making mistakes is not as important as trying to speak. If you do not speak, you do not make any mistakes, but you learn nothing. It is better to speak and make a mistake than not to speak. You can learn from mistakes, and sometimes they can be fun. Any time you speak in English here you will be given additional credit for that, you will still be given credit even if you make a mistake. The mistake is not important, speaking in English is what is important.

Good Manners and Questions:

Sometimes you will need to ask me question. For example, you my need to ask me to say something again, you may want to ask me to explain something. You may need to ask for the attendance sheets, or for copies of the handout, or to check your homework. Below are some sample questions and answers that you can use to ask for these things.

If you are polite in speaking English, people will be more helpful when you speak to them. For this class, here are some ways to politely ask questions:

Speaking to Me and Asking me a Question:

  1. Any time that you wish to speak to me, first please say excuse me:

    2. Student: "Excuse me sir?"

    Teacher: "Yes?"

    Student: "May I ask you something?"

    Teacher: "Yes, of course, what is your question.

  2. If you do not hear what I said, you say:

    3. Student: "Pardon, but I did not hear you. Can you say that again?"

    Teacher: "Yes, I said…"

    Student: "Thank you."

    Teacher: "You are welcome."

  3. Or if you want me to explain something again:

Student: "Excuse me sir, but can you explain that part again?"

Teacher: "Yes, certainly. Which part?"

Student: "Can you explain what pardon means?"

Teacher: "Yes, pardon is used to ask someone to say that same thing again. Pardon is also used to say I am sorry, or excuse me. For sorry or excuse me, it is better to say; ‘Pardon me.’ Or, if you wish to pass by someone, say, ‘Pardon me, can you let me pass?'"

Student: "Thank you."

Teacher: "You are welcome. Thank you for asking."

Attendance Sheet:

  1. If you want the class attendance sheet:

Student: "Excuse me sir, may I sign the attendance sheet?"

Teacher: "Yes, you may, here you are."

Student: "Thank you."

Teacher: "You are welcome."

Class Handouts

  1. Please use these conversations to ask for copies of the class handouts:

    2. If you need one copy of the handout:

    Student: "Excuse me sir, may I have one copy of the handout?"

    Teacher: "Yes, you may, here you are."

    Student: "Thank you."

    Teacher: "You are welcome."

    If you need more than one copy of the handout:

    Student: "Excuse me sir, may I have X copies of the handout?"

    Teacher: "Pardon? How many do you need?"

    Student: "May, I have four copies of the handout?"

    Teacher: "Yes, you may, one, two three, four… here you are."

    Student: "Thank you."

    Teacher: "You are welcome."

  2. If you forget to bring your handout to the class, or lose your handout, I cannot give another copy, you will need to make a photocopy of this yourself:

    3. Student: "Excuse me sir, but I have forgotten my handout, may I go and make a photocopy of the handout?"

    Teacher: "Yes, please do that."

    Student: "Thank you. I will come back soon."

    Teacher: "You are welcome, please do."

  3. If you were absent from the class and you want the handout for that class:

Student: "Excuse me sir, but I was absent, may I have a copy of the handout?"

Teacher: "Yes, you may, here you are."

Student: "Thank you."

Teacher: "You are very welcome."

 

Homework:

  1. If your homework has not been checked and you want me to check your homework:

For a single student’s homework:

Student: "Excuse me sir, but you have not checked my homework. Please check my homework."

Teacher: "Yes, I will check in a minute, please wait a little."

Student: "Yes, certainly."

Teacher: "Thank you."

For a group ofstudents' homework:

Student: "Excuse me sir, but you have not checked our homework. Please check our homework."

Teacher: "Yes, I will check in a minute, please wait a little."

Student: "Yes, certainly."

Teacher: "Thank you."

If you want to try to improve your grade:

Student: "Excuse me sir."

Teacher: "Yes, can I help you?"

Student: "We want to try our conversation test again. We want to try to get a better grade. Can we try again?"

Teacher: "Yes, of course. Please…"

Student: "Thank you, we will do our best."

 

Conclusion

 

Now that you have practised these question and answer conversation exercises, pleas try to use them. For the first few weeks you can use the handout to ask me the question, but slowly you will be expected to ask the questions without the handout. Please, do remember that. Please also remember, that I will not respond to any of the above questions if you ask them in Japanese.