Conversation Drills

FE: I'm having a lot of trouble with spoken English

Vic: In what way?

Fe: In many ways. It's so hard to remember the rules and because I'm not always sure of myself, I don't talk much. And when I talk, I hesitate with certain words and sounds.

Vic: I think I know what's the cause of all this.

Fe: You do? Please tell me. Really, I'd appreciate it very much if you will.

Vic: Well, I think you're putting all the emphasis on the wrong thing.

Fe: What thing?

Vic: Those rules.

Fe: Aren't you supposed to learn them well so you'll know how to say things and how not to say things?

Vic: You have a point there, but you have to speak in order to learn to speak. You have to learn the habit of using the language in real life.

Fe: I think I see what you mean.

Phrases/Expressions to Learn:

Aren't you supposed to...
You have a point there.
I see what you mean.
I have a lot of trouble with...

Source:
Oral Communication for College Students by Rafaela H. Diaz

long a practice sentences

1. The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain

2. Kate learned to bake a cake.

3. Daisy Grace is eight years of age.

4. A plate of bacon, bread and eggs in on the table.

5. Daily mail is usually carried by train or plane.

6. You should be able to find a seat for me even if it is late.

7. What a day may bring, a day may take away.

long a practice

bake a cake

set the table

take the test

paper and pencil

angel face

long a

aim

aid

airy

age

ace

amiable

eight

angel

able

ace

ache

angel

shame

wave

paper

bake

hate

face

mate

chain

name

baby

may

bay

day

say

hay

today

ray

away

weigh

lay

Tongue Twister [ae]

A canner exceedingly canny one day remarked to his granny:

" A canner can can anything that he can, but a canner can't can a can, can he?"

How many cans can a canner can if a canner can can cans?

A canner can can as many cans as a canner can, if a canner can can cans.

Conversation Practice

Customer: Can you please give me a loaf of bread, a half dozen of eggs, three bags of sausages and some strawberry jam?

Clerk: Yes, Ma'am. Do you need any fresh fruit or vegetables? We have some delicious apples,and fresh mangoes.

Customer: How much are these apples, tangerines, lettuce, grapes and carrots? Are you sure the lettuce and the peas are fresh?

Clerk: Yes, they are very fresh. The lettuce is only a dollar per head and the peas is 2 dollars per kilo.

Customer: I'll take this lettuce head, a kilo of each of mangoes and two carrots.

Clerk: May I help you with anything else?

Customer: I don't think so. How much would that be?

Clerk: Ten dollars, please

Customer: Here's my payment.

Clerk: Thank you very much and come again.

ae exercises

1. Pat the black cat at the back

2. Sam and Max are lanky and tan

3. The mad man sat on the mat

4. The accident happened shortly after her arrival

5. The magician made the hat vanish into the air

6. The avenue was lighted by a series of old-fashioned lamps