2. Functional English
To interact with teachers andTo interact with teachers and
classmatesclassmates
Make explanations during tutorialsMake explanations during tutorials
and practical sessions.and practical sessions.
Take part in seminars and workshops,Take part in seminars and workshops,
technical presentations.technical presentations.
Academic discussions, viva voce, andAcademic discussions, viva voce, and
so on.so on.
2

3. To take part in discussions, meetings,
conferences, seminars, business
presentations, telephonic conversations,
teleconferences and videoconferences,
and so forth.
In fact, success in the highly competitive
environment of today will depend not just
on professional knowledge but also on the
ability to present that knowledge in an
appropriate oral form.
3

4. Conversation Skills
Includes the ability to
Start a conversation
Choose a topic for conversation
Help others to start
Move conversation from one topic
to another, and
Conclude a conversation naturally
4

5. Functions of Conversation
To convey information in order to help
achieve an individual or group goal.
Small talk is a type of conversation
where the topic is less important that
the social purpose of achieving bonding
between people or managing personal
distance.
5

6. Starting a Conversation
• Never hesitate to start
• Always try to break the ice
• Start with close-ended questions
• Do not be blunt about anything
• Talk about some personal information
Job and workplace – good subjects
• Involve the whole group
• Talk with confidence
6

7. Face your fears!
Be comfortable with yourself
Be sincere with your praise
Ask thoughtful questions
Choose comfortable topics
Use conventional gap fillers
Express that you want further contacts
7

8. Tips for Interesting Conversation
Outline the points for conversation
Keep words simple and
understandable
Interrupt only when needed
Dot not talk to impress
Assess your listener’s interest and
personality
8

9. Formal Conversation
Formal content / elements
Always factual,
Formal words and expressions
Accepted rules and customs
Fixed norms of behavior
associated with the conduct of
official matters
Always formal in style
Objective approach
Logical organized and structured
9

10. Informal Conversation
Personal and emotional
content / elements
May be emotional or factual
Colloquial words and
expressions
No accepted rules
No fixed norms
Both formal and informal in
style
Both objective and subjective
10

11. STRATEGIES FOR GOOD CONVERSATION
Good conversation largely depends on
our ability to adjust to other people and
our positive attitude.
Most students cannot converse well and
face difficulties in talking to their
teachers, colleagues, and even friends.
Conversation skills can be improved by
following some basic tips regarding good
conversation and learning effective
conversation techniques.
11

12. Conversation Techniques
Be an Active
Listener
Be a good Speaker
Speak with Clarity
Use Pauses
Do not Argue
Be Interested
Be Simple
Be Polite
Be Friendly
Be Positive
12
Be flexible
Be Tactful
Effective conversation
requires clarity,
simplicity, politeness,
flexibility, tact, good
manners, and positive
attitude.

13. Body Language (Kinesics)
Which does not involve words or speech.
It is also called as one of the non verbal
communications.
It includes
- Facial expressions
- Eye contact
- Gestures
- Body shape and posture
- Appearance
13

14. Why Body Language is important?
Body language plays a big role in intuition as it
gives us messages about the other person, that
we can interpret at an intuitive level.
The pressure of body language can especially be
felt in emotional situations.
1438%
7%
55%

15. Facial Expressions
15

16. Facial expression
anger fear joy sorrow contemptsurprise disgust

17. Eye Contact
Good or positive eye contact
improves the effectiveness of
a verbal message during
oral interaction.
Direct eye contact of more
than 10 seconds can create
discomfort and anxiety.
Averted eyes show anger,
hurt feelings.
Looking at somebody for a
long time shows the
intensity of our interest in
him/her.
17

18. Eye contact
It’s mine!
Hey,
sweet
heart.
No,it’s
mine!

19. Gestures
A gesture refers to the use
of fingers, hands, and arms
for expressions.
Emblems:
- Patting the stomach – I’m
full of food.
- Nodding the head up and
down – yes
- Yawning – I’m bored.
- Waving – hello
Illustrators
Regulators
Displays
19

20. Gestures
Positive
-Leaning a little
towards the speaker.
- Tilting the head.
- Eye contact with the
speaker.
- Gently nodding the
head in agreement.
20
Negative
- Hands in the pocket
- Covering the mouth
with the hand while
speaking
- Scratching
- Drumming fingers.
- Tapping feet
- Sitting on the edge of
the chair
- Clicking the pen

21. 21
In any face-to-face communication or meeting
or interview the way we hold our head, body
shape and posture is very important.

22. Tips to Improve Body Language
 Don’t cross your arms
or legs
 Have eye contact, but
don’t stare
 Don’t be afraid to take
up some space
 Relax your shoulders
 Nod when they are
talking
 Don’t slouch; sit up
straight
 Lean, but not too much
 Smile and laugh
22
Don’t touch your face
Keep your head up
Slow down a bit
Don’t fidget /move
restlessly
Use your hands more
confidently
Don’t stand too close
Keep a good attitude

23. Generally, people retain
10% of what they READ
20% of what they HEAR
30% of what they SEE
50% of what they SEE and HEAR
70% of what they SAY
90% of what they SAY and DO
23

24. Some of the useful expressions
These expressions in their variety are meant to
help you enrich your spoken and Written
language.
Gradually those expressions become yours and
you will use them normally
The more you practice them, the better you
master them.
Take it for granted that The language is first and
foremost a means of communication.
The more you practice it the More you become
perfect. Finally, remember that the world would
understand and appreciate What you say if you
said it in the right way.
24

25. 25
For speaking only
I mean....
You see....
Well, let me see...
Look!
Listen!
If you see what I mean!
Do you see what I mean?
Let’s get this into perspective.
Watch it!
Picture this.
Look here!
All right!
Is that clear enough?

26. 26
Asking for Opinion
I was wondering where
you stood on the
question of immigration?
What's your position on
global warming?
What's your opinion of
my cooking?
What do you think of
love?
How do you feel about
building a space prison
for criminals?

27. 27
Giving Opinion
In my opinion the
consequences of global
warming will be fatal.
As far as I'm
concerned love is the
noblest feeling.
From my point of view,
poverty could be
fought with solidarity.

28. 28
As I see it, you are getting
better.
I think / reckon /
presume / gather it will
get worse with time.
It would seem to me that
technologies will control
us sooner or later.
It seems to me that
democracy is the solution
for developing countries.

29. 29
I believe politics should
be more human...
I figure that we are
doomed to protect our
planet before it is too late.
To my mind cloning
should be restricted.
According to me
Euthanasia should be
banned.
What I think / mean /
believe is that developed
countries are selfish.
I mean that they don't try
to help poor countries.
I may venture that they
are extremely sadist.
As for me they like to be
at top of the world.

30. 30
Agreeing with an
opinion
My view about this
is positive.
I agree with this
idea.
I agree completely
with this idea.
I can't agree more.
I agree.
This idea is
absolutely right.
I couldn't agree
more on this.
I think this idea is
perfect.

31. 31
I agree partially with this
idea.
This idea is partially right.
I see what you mean, but
some ……...
That's one way of looking
at it, but ….
I see your point, but
technology….
I agree with you, but
developing countries ….
I think this idea is
possible, but rich
countries …..
I'm not sure you're right
there.
I'm not sure that I agree
with this idea.
The project is feasible, but
it needs some more efforts.

32. 32
I think it is a bad idea.
I'm afraid I can't agree
with this idea.
I'm afraid I entirely
disagree with you.
I think this idea is
impossible.
I guess this idea is
impractical.
I see that this idea is
bad.
I think it is a bad idea.
I don't agree with this
idea.
I suppose this idea
cannot be
implemented.

33. 33
Random Examples
If I were you, I wouldn’t
buy this old computer.
Why don't you stay at
home and watch TV?
You'd better go to bed
early.
You ought to revise
your lessons regularly.
If you take my advice,
you'll tell your parents
the truth.
You should drive slowly
in town.
It might be a good idea
to put on your coat. It's
cold outside.
You should consider
taking the keys before
you leave.

34. 34
I don't know what
to advise, I'm
afraid.
I wish I could
suggest something,
but I can't.
I wish I could help.
I'm afraid I can't
really help you. I
have the same
problem myself.

35. 35
Making suggestions
Let’s revise our
lessons.
What about going to
the cinema tonight?
How about playing
cards?
Why don't we do our
homework?
Couldn't we invite
your mother to our
party?
Shall we have…..?
What would you say
to a cup of coffee?
Don't you think ….
Does it matter if we
use your car?

36. 36
Accepting Suggestions
Ok. Yes, let's.
Yes, I'd like to
Yes, I'd love to.
What a good idea!
Why not?
Yes, with pleasure.
Yes, I feel like taking a
walk.

37. 37
Disagreeing
No, let's not.
No, I'd rather not.
I don't feel like it.
I dislike doing
homework.
What an awful
idea!

38. 38
Making Offers:
Can I help you?
What shall I do for
you?
Would you like me to
check this computer
for errors?
Shall I bring you a
glass of water?
I'll buy you a coke.
Shall I?
What/ Where/
Which ... Would you
like me to...?
Do you want me to
post that letter for
you?
I’ll be glad to help?

39. 39
Accepting an offer:
How kind of you!
Thank you very
much.
That’s very good of
you!
That’s terribly kind,.
Thank you very
much.
Yes, please do.
What a good idea!
Yes, please.
Thanks. That would
be excellent.
Yes.

40. 40
Refusing or rejecting
an offer:
It’s all right thanks.
I can manage that
alone!
No, thank you. But I
am very grateful
That’s awfully kind,
but there’s no need.
No, please don't
bother.
No, thank you.

41. 41
Inviting
I was wondering
whether you would stay
for dinner.
I'm going to my uncle's
wedding party next
Sunday. Would you like
to come, too?
Come along!
Why don't you come?
Will you come, too?
You must come over?
You must pay us a
visit.
You must come back
some time.
We must get in touch...
I'll give you a call and
fix something.
Look me up next time
you are around (here).

42. 42
Accepting the
invitation
Ok. I'd like to!
Well, I'm free then.
Thank you. I'd like
to come.
Well, I'm not doing
anything then. I'll
come. Thanks.
I am not doing
anything special
then. Thank you. I'd
like to come.
Ok!

43. 43
Refusing the
invitation
I'm afraid I can't.
I'm busy then.
I'm sorry but I
can't. I'm going
somewhere that
day.
I'm sorry I have a
headache.

44. 44
Making a Complaint
I have a complaint to
make. .........
I'm sorry to say this but........
I want to complain
about...........
I'm afraid I've got a complaint
about....
I'm angry about....

45. 45
Responding to a
complaint
I'm so sorry, but this
will never occur again.
I'm sorry, I promise
never to...
I'm really sorry; I'll do
my utmost / best not
to...........

46. 46