I think that learning another language is not just about grammar in vocabulary. How
about you? Oh, and that reminds me. I wanted to let you
know what today's lesson is all about. And by the way, I'm sure
you're going to find this useful. Let's discuss Welcome to another Happy English podcast,
coming to you from New York City, and here's your English teacher,
Michael. All right, thank you John, and thanks everyone. It's Michael
here from Happy English and I help people speak English better. This is Happy
English Podcast, Episode six ninety five. Longer Conversations. As I mentioned a
moment ago, there's more to learning another language than just grammar in vocabulary.
Language is a component of culture. Today, we're going to look at one
aspect of American culture, which is how we keep a conversation going and as
a result, make a conversation longer. Today, we're going to get into
three short phrases, which are conversational phrases that you can use which will make
your English conversations longer and better. Let's dive in. As you probably already
know, questions are like the gas pedal of an English conversation. In fact,
most English conversations begin with a question, how are you, how's it
going, What's up? What's new? You get the idea. And since
we start an English conversation with a question, it makes sense that questions help
to move the conversation along. And that brings us to our first phrase,
which is how about you. When you're having a conversation with someone and you
state your opinion or your thoughts on something, you can use how about you
to find out what the other person thinks and what their opinion is. You
can think about English conversation is something like a tennis game, and using how
about you in a conversation is like hitting the ball back to your partner.
I really enjoyed that movie. How about you? I'm really enjoying this party.
How about you? I don't really feel like going to the sales meeting
tomorrow. How about you? Oh that reminds me. That reminds me is
a useful phrase that you can use to either change the topic of a conversation
or to add information to what you just said. I really love Tom Hanks
and Castaway. Oh that reminds me. Jack invited us to go fishing this
weekend. Yeah, that was a really useful presentation. Oh that reminds me,
can I borrow your notes? I didn't have a chance to take any.
Yes, I'll let you know when she calls. And that reminds me
you need to call John back after lunch. The last one is by the
way. We also use by the way to change the topic or to add
more information to the conversation. By the way draws attention to what you were
going to say. Here's the report you asked for. Oh and by the
way, remember I'm going to be coming in late tomorrow morning. I have
a dentist appointment. I'm glad we were able to catch up on things today.
By the way, do you know why the boss is so grumpy?
I really wish you would make more effort to come to the office on time.
And by the way, why don't you think about wearing something nicer than
jeans and a T shirt. It's not nineteen seventy five anymore. Keep in
mind, the best way to remember this or any English point is to take
the word or phrase, write it in a sentence that's true for you or
true in your world, and then memorize your sentences. Why not try writing
some short conversations in your notebook using these phrases. Well, that's all the
time we have today for this English lesson. By the way, if you'd
like to get more practice using your English, you need to join my podcast
Learner's Study Group. There you can make new international friends join me for live
group coaching every week. Plus get the pdf, transcript and audio download for
every Happy English podcast in the past and in the future, and each episode
has exercises where you can practice this English point with speaking and writing checked by
me. To learn more or to see some of the example sentences from this
lesson, just visit Myhappy English dot com and choose podcast lesson six ninety four.
Remember, learning another language is not easy, but it's not impossible,
and I'm here to help you on your journey. This podcast is brought to
you by Happy English. Please visit Myhappy English dot com show your support for
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