Advanced Conversation Practice
Level: B1
Skill: Conversation
Topic: Greetings & Introductions
Time: 30–35 minutes
warm-up
Say the dialogue.
A: Good evening! I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.
B: I don’t believe we have either! My name is … .
A: What a pleasure! Please, call me … .
B: It’s a pleasure, … ! How are you finding things this evening?
A: Wonderful so far! And yourself?
B: Absolutely wonderful! I’m very glad to be here!
Repeat until it feels natural.
dialogue 1: meeting someone for the first time
Say the dialogue.
A: Good evening! I don’t think we’ve been introduced.
B: I don’t think so either! My name is … .
A: What a pleasure! Please, call me David. I’ve been looking forward to meeting new people this evening!
B: Likewise! Could you tell me a little about yourself?
A: Of course! I’m from London originally. I’ve been based here in Ho Chi Minh City for two years now.
B: Do you mind me asking what it is that you do?
A: Not at all! I work as an English teacher. And yourself, if you don’t mind me asking?
B: Of course! I work as a … . How are you finding things here so far?
A: I find it absolutely wonderful! I’ve been told it gets even better.
B: I couldn’t agree more! I was thinking the same thing!
A: Funny you should mention that! What brings you here this evening?
B: I’m here for … . And yourself?
A: I’m here for work actually. Well, it’s been an absolute pleasure meeting you!
B: The pleasure was all mine, David! I do hope we get the chance to speak again!
A: Likewise! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
B: I shall! Have a pleasant evening!
A: Have a pleasant evening! Take care!
Repeat until it feels natural.
Change B’s information each time.
dialogue 2: answer confirmation (sophisticated)
Say the dialogue.
A: Please, call me David.
B: I beg your pardon – call you David?
A: Yes, that’s right. Please, call me David!
B: Of course! It’s a pleasure, David!
A: I’ve been based here for two years.
B: I do beg your pardon – you’ve been based here for two years?
A: Yes, that’s right. Two years!
B: How wonderful! You must know the city very well by now!
A: I was wondering if you could tell me a little about yourself.
B: You would like me to tell you a little about myself?
A: Yes, I was wondering if you could!
B: Of course! My name is … and I am from … .
A: I work as an English teacher.
B: Sorry, did you say you work as an English teacher?
A: Yes, that’s right! An English teacher.
B: How wonderful!
A: And what is it that you do, if you don’t mind me asking?
B: I work as a … .
Repeat until it feels natural.
Now practise with your own information.
dialogue 3: indirect questions
Say the dialogue for each indirect question.
name
A: I was wondering if you could tell me your name.
B: Of course! My name is … . And yours?
A: Please, call me … . It’s a pleasure!
B: The pleasure is all mine!
here
A: Do you mind me asking how long you have been based here?
B: Not at all! I have been based here for … . And yourself?
A: I have been here since … . How are you finding it?
B: I find it … ! I was thinking the same thing when I arrived!
do
A: Could you tell me what it is that you do, if you don’t mind?
B: Of course! I work as a … . And yourself, if I may ask?
A: I also work as a … . How fascinating!
B: That’s quite a coincidence! How wonderful!
impression
A: I was wondering what your impression of this place has been so far.
B: I find it … . I’ve been told it gets even better!
A: Funny you should mention that – I’ve heard the same thing!
B: That’s quite a coincidence! I was thinking the same thing!
Repeat until it feels natural.
dialogue 4: introducing a friend
Say the dialogue.
A: Good evening! I don’t believe you’ve been introduced to my friend Claudia.
B: I don’t believe I have! It’s a pleasure to meet you Claudia!
C: The pleasure is all mine!
B: I was wondering if I could ask – where are you from Claudia?
C: Of course! I’m from Rome, Italy.
B: How wonderful! Do you mind me asking how long you have been based here?
C: Not at all! I have been based here for six months.
B: Could you tell me what it is that you do, if you don’t mind?
C: Of course! I work as an Italian teacher.
B: How fascinating! I’ve heard wonderful things about Italian teachers here!
C: That’s very kind! I’ve been told this is a wonderful place to teach.
B: I couldn’t agree more! Well, it’s been an absolute pleasure meeting you Claudia!
C: The pleasure was all mine! I do hope our paths cross again!
B: I do hope so too! Have a pleasant evening Claudia!
C: Have a pleasant evening! Ciao for now!
B: Ciao!
A: Ciao everyone!
Repeat until it feels natural.
Now introduce your own friend using he or she.
Going Deeper
dialogue 5: what do you think of…?
Say the dialogue.
A: I was wondering what your impression of this city has been so far.
B: I find it … . I’ve been pleasantly surprised by … .
A: I know exactly what you mean! I’ve been told it gets even better.
B: I couldn’t agree more! What do you think has surprised you the most?
A: I would say … has surprised me considerably. And yourself?
B: I was thinking the same thing actually! I’ve been particularly impressed by … .
A: That’s quite a coincidence! Have you had the chance to explore much yet?
B: I’ve been exploring … recently. I’ve been particularly drawn to … .
A: How wonderful! I was wondering if you’d like to … sometime.
B: I would absolutely love that! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
A: Thank you! I will! It’s been an absolute pleasure talking with you.
B: The pleasure was all mine! Please, feel free to get in touch!
A: Thank you! I will! Have a pleasant evening!
B: Have a pleasant evening! Take care!
Repeat until it feels natural.
dialogue 6: how long have you been here?
Say the dialogue.
A: Do you mind me asking how long you have been based here?
B: Not at all! I have been based here for … . And yourself?
A: I have been here since … . How have you been finding the experience?
B: I’ve been … lately. I find it … overall.
A: I was thinking the same thing! Have you been meeting many new people?
B: I’ve been meeting … recently. Everyone has been so … !
A: I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how … people are here.
B: Funny you should mention that – I was thinking the same thing!
A: Well, I do hope we get the chance to speak again.
B: Likewise! It’s been an absolute pleasure!
A: The pleasure was all mine! Have a pleasant evening!
B: Have a pleasant evening! Take care!
Repeat until it feels natural.
expressions to use:
a few weeks · several months · over a year · quite some time
wonderful · challenging · eye-opening · rewarding
warm · welcoming · friendly · interesting
