David Kehe – författare

Basic Conversation Strategies is a prequel to the intermediate -level Conversation Strategies. One significant difference is that Basic Conversation Strategies has an important listening component. Conversation is, after all, not just speaking; it also involves listening, and a major part of the approach in this book includes training learners to be good listeners.

There are three components to this material. The Student Workbook contains everything students will need to do the exercises, except the material they need to listen and respond to. This material is available as Downloadable Audio. The Student Workbook does not contain printed versions of the listening input because real conversation is not accompanied with sub-titles or closed captions. The printed version of the listening input is available in the Teacher's Edition, available at ProLinguaLearning.com, which is an essential component of Basic Conversation Strategies. The Teacher's Edition contains the entire Student Workbook and the complete scripts of all the listening input, plus teaching notes and suggestions, as well as feedback and evaluation forms.

The Downloadable Audio (visit ProLinguaLearning.com) has 67 listening exercises containing six types of exercises: 1) Listen and Fill- In, 2) Circle, 3) Choose, 4) Repeat, 5) Respond, and 6) Write.

Many of the audio-based exercises are in dialogue format, spoken by four native speakers. Although the Audio component is not essential (the teacher can speak the input), the material will be more effective and easier to manage if the students have access to the Audio.

Clear step-by-step, focused practice of 13 discussion skills: using rejoinders, asking follow-up questions, seeking/giving clarification, using comprehension checks, soliciting and using details, interrupting, expressing opinions, volunteering answers, referring to information and opinion sources, helping discussion leaders, and leading a discussion. Each unit builds on and recycles previous strategies. Work in real discussion formats: pairs, triads, small groups, large groups, whole class. Discussion topics are high-interest; no in depth background knowledge is needed.

Conversation strategies are techniques that help the speaker and listener keep a conversation going to its natural and desired conclusion. These skills supplement the linguistic and sociolinguistic skills most texts focus on: grammar, vocabulary, and usage. However, to develop strategic competence, students must learn the words, phrases, and conventions used as two speakers engage in the active give-and-take of conversation.

The strategies practiced in this book include 1) getting more information, 2) making comparisons, 3) correcting someone politely, 4) agreeing and disagreeing, 5) summarizing, 6) sharing information, and 7) making decisions.

Students also practice 1) polite forms, 2) rejoinders, 3) clarifications, 4) follow-up questions, 5) getting a response, 6) expressing probability, 7) interrupting, and 8) avoiding conversation killers.

The 29 pair and group activities help develop communicative competence. These fun, student-centered activities begin with controlled language and move to open, imaginative exchanges.