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Lesson 8 of 12 · Keeping it flowing

When you don't know the topic

You don't need to know the subject. You need a few phrases that keep you in the conversation.

  • About 20 minutes
  • Chapter 8 of the book
  • Saves on this device
Activity 1 of 5 · Match

Rescue phrases

Each rescue phrase has a job. Match each one to the moment you'd use it.

Rescue phrase match

Tap a phrase, then the situation it fits.

✓ Done

A learner's story

Lucía and the cricket

Lucía · teacher from Valencia · intermediate

At her partner's family dinner, the conversation turned to cricket. Lucía had no idea what a “declaration” or a “maiden over” was. She smiled, nodded and said nothing for twenty minutes. She felt invisible.

Next time, she tried something new: “I have to admit, I don't understand cricket at all. How does it actually work?” Her partner's father lit up. He spent ten minutes explaining, with salt and pepper pots as players, and everyone laughed.

Not knowing became the best thing she could have said.

Activity 2 of 5 · Choose

Ask, don't hide

Four moments where you're lost. Choose the best way to stay in the conversation.

Moment

✓ Done

Say it

Phrase box

Useful phrases from this chapter. Anything that isn't British English is labelled.

I didn't hear

  • Sorry, I didn't catch that.
  • Could you say that again?
  • Sorry, it's a bit noisy in here.

I don't understand

  • What do you mean by …?
  • Sorry, what's a …?
  • How does that work?

I don't know the topic

  • I don't know much about …, but…
  • I've always wanted to understand …
  • So what got you into it?
Activity 3 of 5 · Play

The dinner-party challenge

You're at a dinner and the topic is something you know nothing about. Stay in the conversation.

Dinner with Greg

Greg is very keen on cycling. You are not.

✓ Done

Activity 4 of 5 · Write

Your rescue card

Choose the rescue phrase you most need and write it in your own words. It goes into your Conversation Kit.

Rescue card

Pick the one you'll actually use, not the one that sounds cleverest.

✓ Done

The research

Asking for help or advice makes people think better of you, not worse. In a 2015 study, Alison Wood Brooks and colleagues found that people who asked for advice were seen as more competent than those who didn't. Saying “How does that work?” is a compliment.

Activity 5 of 5 · Say it

Say it aloud

Rescue phrases only help if they come out quickly. Practise until they're automatic.

Your rescue phrases

Your phrase from the rescue card comes first.

✓ Done

Before you move on

Three questions

5 activities to go

Finish all five activities to complete Lesson 8. Your progress saves on this device, and finished lessons are marked on the lessons page.

What to remember

Five things to keep

Your answers and progress stay on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere.