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  1. Social Contacts: Starting a Conversation

Here are ten questions to help you start speaking English. Each of these questions can help to begin or continue a conversation. The questions are in two categories: Basic Facts and Hobbies / Free Time. There are also a number of questions that can help you continue the conversation after the first question.

Five Basic Facts

These five questions will help you get to know people. They are simple questions with simple answers and provide information so you can ask more questions.

What is your name? Where do you live? What do you do? Are you married? Where are you from?

More questions for ...

These questions help to continue the conversation after your first question.

"What is your name?"

It's a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from? That's an interesting name. Is it Chinese / French / Indian, etc.?

"Where do you live?"

How long have you lived there? Do you like that neighborhood? Do you live in an apartment or house?

"What do you do?"

Which company do you work for? How long have you had that job? Do you like your job? What's the best / worst thing about your job? What do you like best / least about your job?

"Are you married?"

How long have been married? Where did you get married? What does your husband / wife do? Do you have any children?

"Where are you from?"

Where is ....? How long did you live there? What is XYZ like? Do you like living here?

Hobbies / Free Time

These questions will help you continue conversations and find out more about people's likes and dislikes.

What do you like doing in your free time? Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.? What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy? What do you do on weekends / Saturdays?

More questions for ...

These questions will help you ask for more detail.

"What do you like doing in your free time?"

How often do you (listen to music, eat out in restaurants, etc.)? Where do you (listen to music, eat out in restaurants, etc.) in this town? Why do you like (listening to music, eating out in restaurants, etc.) so much?

"Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.?"

Do you enjoy playing tennis /golf /soccer /etc.? How long have you played tennis /golf /soccer /etc.? Who do you play tennis /golf /soccer /etc. with?

"What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy?"

What's the best place to see /eat / go on vacations? What's the best type of film /food / vacation, etc. in your opinion? How often do you watch films / eat out / go on vacation?

"What do you do on weekends / Saturdays?"

Where do you go to ...? Could you recommend a good place to (go shopping / take my children swimming / etc.)? How long have you done that?

  1. Social Contacts: Speaking to Strangers; Special Days

Here are a number of polite phrases used when trying to get the attention or help from people. The use of more formal language is common when speaking to someone you do not know:

Interrupting

It is common to first apologize before interrupting another person, or asking for help if you do not know the person.

Excuse me, could I ... Sorry, do you think I could ... Excuse me, do you know ... I beg your pardon, could you help me? (formal)

Asking Someone to Repeat

When asking for information you may have a hard time understanding in public places which can be very noisy (train stations, restaurants, stores, etc.). Here are phrases commonly used to ask someone to repeat what he has said:

Excuse me, I'm afraid I didn't understand. Could you repeat that? (formal) I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. (informal) What? (very informal!) I beg your pardon.