Now that you have learnt phonetics and strategies for effective conversations, practise the following short conversations with one of your friends or family members. Try your best to apply the rules of pronunciation, accent, intonation, and use your voice effectively to convey the message:
In the class room
Good morning boys and girls. Let me talk to Sunil. Sunil, do you speak English at home? Yes Ma’am, I speak English with my dad but I speak Hindi with my Mom.
Do you have any difficulty in speaking English? Yes, at times, in using the correct tenses. Do you need any help?
Yes, it would be nice if you can help me. At the office during lunch break
What time do you get up every day? At quarter to seven.
‘Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for competitors.’
Are you able to complete all your household chores before going for work? Yes, but with a tight schedule.
I know, it would be very hectic for you. When do you have your breakfast? At around eight fifteen.
In the mall / at a restaurant / in the park Do you like watching movies?
Yes, I do, but I do not find time to watch them in cinema hall. I watch them mostly on television. I see, do you watch with your family?
Yeah, mostly when they are telecast in the evening. That should be great experience, isn’t it?
Yes it is, we even have our snacks and dinner while watching the movie. Oh! I wish I had such an experience!
Have you ever visited Goa?
Yes, last December. In fact, we enjoyed Christmas in Goa. That should be a satisfying experience!
Exactly. It was wonderful to visit a number of churches and attend a party. What about you? Have you been to Goa?
No, I yearn to. I have heard a lot about its beaches, people, art, etc. Why don’t you come with us this December when we go there?
Thanks. It is so nice of you to invite me. I will consult my family and let you know. That is fine. Bye.
Bye!
Outside the exam centre
Hi Reena, how are you and how was your exam today? It was okay … but I could have done better.
Never mind. You can do the remaining exams well. I know you are a good student. Thanks uncle, for your encouraging words.
What are your vacation plans?
This year I have to do my summer internship at NELCO, Delhi. That would be an enriching experience. Right?
Yes, my friends who have done there earlier say so.
I wish you good luck for your remaining exams and enjoy your internship. Thanks uncle, I have to catch 43C to reach Gandhi Circle. Bye.
Bye bye.
Refer to the Students’ Resource for some more types of typical situational conversations.
TELEPHONIC CONVERSATIONS AND ETIQUETTE Hello Mom, how are you?
Mom, I want to go on a tour with my friends to Shimla. Can you transfer Rs 5000 to my account? Yes dear, I will do that. Check at your account in the evening.
Thanks Mom, bye. Take care.
Sitting anywhere in the world, we can share information, make requests, discuss business matters, and be in touch with our family, friends, and colleagues over the phone. We can get information about any place, product, or people across the globe on the Internet, and for more information, we can directly contact the concerned organization over the phone and speak to them. With the advancement in technology applicable to various domains, such as education, industry, government, consumers, etc., the telephone—fixed line as well as mobile connections—has become an essential means of communication in today’s competitive world.
Audio Clip Group 7: Listen to these six short conversations. Identify what sport or hobby is talked
about in the conversation and write the number of each conversation in the appropriate column. Also fill in the other columns given below. One row has been filled as an example.
Sl. No. Sport/hobby Conversation No. Clues Adjectives (i) Social work
(ii) Cricket (iii) Reading
(iv) Fishing 1 River, catch anything Relaxing (v) Water polo
(vi) Gardening
Practice 1
Audio Clip 8: Look at this Claim Form for Lost Luggage to be completed. Make a note of the information
you need to look for in the conversation you are going to listen to. After listening to the conversation, complete the form.
Claim form for lost luggage Name of passenger : Number of items lost : Type of items lost : Contact address :
Phone number :
Flight No. from Chennai : Flight No. from Hyderabad : Colour of the big suitcase :
Date of flight :
In a telephonic conversation, the two parties cannot see each other’s facial expressions and other aspects of body language. This makes it all the more important for them to incorporate the correct tone and articulation in their voices, so that the purpose of the phone call is achieved successfully. For example, when you are corresponding with a new client for the first time, you need to create a desired impression and give the client the correct picture of your operations. If you are doing this over telephone, your conduct assumes huge importance. Therefore, although you cannot see the caller in a telephonic conversation, you need to follow all the etiquettes that you apply in a face-to-face conversation. Here are some etiquettes that you need to follow in any kind of telephonic calls:
• Use polite expressions such as ‘How can I help you?’, ‘May I speak to Mr …?’, ‘You
are welcome’, ‘Thank you very much’, ‘May I help you?’, ‘Could you please give me the details of …?’, etc.
• If you are the receiver, identify your name/your organization’s name as soon as you pick
up the call (e.g., Harish here/Sales Division, Monarch & Co.). Avoid saying ‘hello’.
• Be clear and precise in your expressions and use pleasant tone of voice while speaking.
• Do not shout.
• Do not use slangs.
• Do not interrupt the caller when he/she is speaking.
• If you are transferring the call to somebody else, please ask the caller to hold on. • Listen to the caller patiently and get any unfamiliar terms clarified.
• Before you call up anybody, think what and how to discuss so that you stay focused on
your objective.
• Do not slam the equipment when the call is completed. Place it softly. • Do not eat or drink while speaking on the phone.
• Do not talk to others around you while speaking on the phone.
• Do not speak too quickly or too slowly. Use appropriate rate of your voice. • Reduce the background noise if any.
• Pick up the phone as early as possible. Do not allow it to ring for a long time.
• If you do not return the missed call, apologize/tell reason when the caller speaks to you
next time.
• If the call is not meant for you, try to guide the caller for reaching the right person. • If you are the caller, ask the other person, ‘Is it good time to talk to you?/Can I speak to
you for five minutes?’
• Always keep a pen and note pad while taking calls. • Be enthusiastic and courteous.
• Thank the caller before ending the call.
‘Hello when is
Rajdhani coming?’ ‘Rajdhani wont’ move. It’ll stay
where it is.’ State Capital?