Sunday, August 10, 2008
Conversation Tip #14: Ask a question, listen!
Robert Bly (1926- ), American poet and activist
Is that concise enough?
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Conversation Starter - Make a Sincere Comment About a Car
Today I noticed a very, very old truck parked on the street while walking my dog.
"She's as old as I am," replied the owner from his frontyard. He soon came to the sidewalk. "Made in 1931."
Although I'm hardly a car guy, we proceeded to have a rather detailed and informative conversation about Ford, Model AA, and vocational education. That ancient truck, donated to a local veterans group, still runs. The local adult education high school will help train mechanics on it - and restore it. Cool.
I have an old 1981 Volvo with 249,000 - and the antique truck owner, Deano, has several Toyotas with over 300,000. We both find something wonderful with quality cars built to last - unlike so many models today. Car companies could - and still can - make quality cars that last decades.
Deano, by the way, is a former high school teacher who volunteers at the local Veterans Administration (VA) hospital. You can't help but respect a man who helps soldiers and veterans recover from war wounds - visible and invisible.
Friendly and folksy, I instantly felt comfortable with him and traded a few teachers' tales. We shared a few frustrations with standardized tests too. We will, I suspect, have other fine conversations in the future.
A casual comment, "nice truck", lead to a satisfying exchange. with a neighbor. That's my conversation tip #12: make a sincere comment about a situation and be curious about your neighbors. You never know what you will learn or who you will meet - even in your own neighborhood!
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Conversation starter #10 - Can you recommend any good books to read?
- Can you recommend a good book?
- What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
English language learners can develop and deepen their conversation skills with classroom practice. As English students practice more, they also develop the confidence to start conversations with co-workers, fellow English students, fellow bus passengers, or strangers in line. Conversation skills can be practiced almost anywhere, but our English classrooms provide a safe, tolerant, and natural environment to develop and deepen speaking skills.
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