BE 344: 3 Tips For Joining an Unfamiliar Conversation at Work
Business English from All Ears English
Deep Dive
Why is asking questions a good strategy for joining an unfamiliar conversation at work?
Asking questions shows interest and encourages the speaker to share their knowledge, turning a lecture-like situation into an engaging conversation. It also helps you learn and connect with the topic.
How can you gracefully guide a conversation to a topic you're more familiar with?
By allowing the current topic to play out and then using a bridging statement to pivot to a related topic you know more about, you can smoothly transition the conversation without making it awkward.
What are some recommended podcasts to stay informed on various topics?
Podcasts like 'Science Versus,' 'Freakonomics Radio,' 'The Inquiry' by BBC, and 'Today Explained' cover a wide range of topics, helping you build knowledge and contribute to conversations.
Why is staying informed important for participating in workplace conversations?
Staying informed allows you to contribute to a variety of topics, making you a more engaging conversationalist and helping you build relationships at work.
How can listening to podcasts help improve English fluency and conversation skills?
Listening to podcasts exposes you to native English speakers, helps improve listening fluency, and provides content on various topics, enabling you to participate in diverse conversations.
- Asking questions is key to joining unfamiliar conversations.
- Time questions well, avoid rapid-fire questioning, especially in group settings.
- Show genuine interest in the speaker's knowledge to encourage further conversation.
Shownotes Transcript