Perfect Phrases for ESL: Conversation Skills, Premium Third Edition

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

Table of contents :

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