Perfect Phrases for ESL: Conversation Skills, Premium Third Edition

Description

A handy ESL phrase guide that helps you converse like a native English speaker―now enhanced via app with audio recordings of key expressions If you’re an intermediate level speaker of English, you know that idiomatic speech, slang and other English phrases can create a barrier to conversing confidently in casual and work-related situations. In Perfect Phrases for ESL: Conversation Skills, Premium Third Edition you’ll find a phrase guide that allows you to say the right words at the right time in any setting with perfect confidence. Written in an accessible, easy-to-understand way by a highly experienced ESL instructor, Perfect Phrases for ESL: Conversation Skills helps you navigate idiomatic speech and nuanced conversation with hundreds of ready-to-use English phrases and example dialogues. You’ll discover phrases for talking with friends, offering opinions, collaborating with co-workers, addressing misunderstandings, and more―including common slang expressions frequently used by native English speakers. Now enhanced with audio recordings of key expressions available online and via app, Perfect Phrases for ESL: Conversation Skills give you the confidence you need to participate fully and confidently in any situation. Features: •  Clear, straightforward style, geared specifically for non-native speakers •  Ideal level for intermediate ESL (nonnative) speakers of English •  Essential phrases to communication in any situation •  Helpful direction on idiomatic speech and nuanced conversation •  Useful phrase clusters that range from formal to casual speech •  Audio recordings of key phrases and conversations via app Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Who Can Benefit from Using This Book? Part 1 Phrases for Conversation Chapter 1 Small Talk Openers: Excuse Me Talking About Yourself Showing Interest Introducing Yourself Breaking the Ice Staying in Touch Saying Good-Bye Dialogue: Small World Topics for Practice Chapter 2 Past Experiences Openers: Greetings Greeting Friends and Acquaintances Making Introductions Catching Up Past Experiences Transitions and Connectors Discourse Markers Enjoyment and Pleasure Expressing Emotions Ending the Conversation Time Expressions Dialogue: Long Time No See Topics for Practice Chapter 3 Likes, Dislikes, and Interests Openers: Feeling Things Out Likes Dislikes Preferences Interests Desires and Dependency Indifference Making Offers Dates and Invitations Expressing Emotions Compliments Dialogue: What’s for Dinner? Topics for Practice Chapter 4 Objects and Processes Openers: Take a Look! Describing Objects Properties and Features Cost and Estimates Use and Availability Making Comparisons Making Contrasts Evaluations and Judgments Giving Instructions Expressing Emotions Dialogue: The New Smartphone Topics for Practice Chapter 5 Problems and Advice Openers: What’s Wrong? Stating a Problem Asking for Help or Advice Identifying the Cause of a Problem Sympathy and Understanding Advice and Assistance Appreciation and Gratitude Making Someone Aware of a Problem Complaints Reassurances Reluctance and Avoidance Expressing Emotions Dialogue: What’s the Matter? Topics for Practice Chapter 6 Decisions and Goals Openers: What Are We Going to Do? Options and Alternatives Reasons and Purpose Advantages and Disadvantages Making a Decision Indecision and Hesitation Setting Schedules and Deadlines Goals and Plans Encouragement, Recognition, and Congratulations Expressing Emotions Dialogue: A Tough Decision Topics for Practice Part 2 Phrases for Discussions Chapter 7 Opinions Openers: Asking for an Opinion Stating an Opinion Value Judgments Generalizations Agreeing and Disagreeing Supporting an Opinion Figures and Statistics Making an Argument Solutions and Recommendations Expressing Emotions Dialogue: The Best Idea I’ve Heard So Far Topics for Practice Chapter 8 Group Discussions Openers: Opening the Floor Leading a Discussion Participating in a Group Discussion Interruptions Clarification and Explanations Misunderstandings Managing the Discussion In Conclusion Dialogue: The Holiday Party Topics for Practice Chapter 9 Serious Subjects Openers: Common Concerns Offering Solutions to General Problems Levels of Language Direct vs. Indirect Language Irony, Sarcasm, and Euphemism Complaints and Demands Rules and Conditions Bad News and Good News Causes and Consequences Certainty and Possibility Apologies and Agreements Dialogue: A Hard Bargain Topics for Practice Part 3 Phrases for Special Occasions Chapter 10 Special Occasions Openers: Words of Welcome Honors and Awards Special Occasions Vacations, Holidays, and Trips Dining Relationships Romance Personal Notes Expressing Emotions Dialogue: Happy Birthday! Part 4 Phrases for Telephone and Video Conversations Chapter 11 Telephone Basics Making a Call Receiving a Call Checking Details Connecting a Call Information and Services Emergency Calls Telephone Etiquette Ending a Call Making Small Talk Dialogue: Touching Base Practice Chapter 12 Telephone Messages Giving Details over the Phone Leaving a Message Taking a Message Ensuring Communication Returning a Call Answering Machines, Voice Mail, and Text Messages Dialogue: A Message Practice Chapter 13 Telephone Business Making Appointments Making Bookings and Reservations Changes and Cancellations Orders and Services Discussing a Problem In Conclusion Dialogue: Making an Appointment Topics for Practice Chapter 14 Telephone/Video Conferencing Preparing the Call Etiquette and Protocol Getting Started Preliminary Business Discussion Problems Taking Action Dialogue: Let’s Get the Ball Rolling! Topics for Practice About the Author Index