English Communication Skills- How to Join In a Group at a Gathering

How do you join in when people are already gathered in groups, conversing and having a good time?

• Minimize the problem by arriving no more than fifteen minutes after the appointed time
• If you are one of the early arrivals, people are more likely to come over to you, especially if you smile and make eye contact
• If you have just walked into a gathering in progress, first introduce yourself to the host or greeter. Then gaze over the room and look for the most animated group of three to five people.  It’s more difficult to go over to two people since they might be engaged in an intimate or perhaps important conversation.  With two people we might be interrupting; with three or more we are joining.
• To get into a group, stand on the outside with open, agreeable body language and sounds (“hmm, mmm”) nodding and smiling.  When someone invites you by words, facial expression or eye contact to step into the group, you can introduce yourself and say something pleasant.
• Another strategy for entering a group is to ask a question or make a comment that relates to the discussion. Here are some good questions:
  • “What did you think of ….?”
  • “Have you heard…?”
  • “What is your opinion on …?”
  • “Yes, and …”
  • “As a thought on…”

You can also enter a group with a compliment, or by agreeing with the speakers. Agree with the speaker and link it to your viewpoint.

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Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercises.

Networking and the Power of Conversations

No matter what your career path or role in life, your ability to build a strong support system will be key in your success and well being.

Networking is a lifelong process of meeting people, making contacts, developing friendships, and building professional relationships.

How do you network?

Herein lies the key:  “Each person’s life is lived as a series of conversations. “ Deborah Tannen

English Communication- Keeping a Conversation Going

For great conversations and satisfying conversations, memorize these questions:

• “What do you think?”
• “How did you become interested in…?”
• “I am considering taking up _____ (yoga, weight lifting, tennis, meditating, scuba diving).  Would you recommend a class or individual lessons?”

These questions focus on someone else’s expertise and experience.  Putting the focus on the other person, shining the light on others is a way to feel more comfortable and make the other person know he/she is valued, appreciated.

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Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercises.

How Do You As a Speaker Impact an Audience?

• How you look includes your clothes, your facial expression, your stance, your body movement, your hands, how you move your eyes.

• Suppose you are trying to motivate a group, and you tell them something is “a wonderful opportunity,” but you don’t look or sound it.  Vision is the king of the senses; hearing is queen. They believe their eyes and ears, not your words.

• Hands in pockets tries to create a casual impression.  But this can make you look anxious or disinterested.  Besides, it adds no plus value to your speech.  Who said casual was a good way to look in front of an audience?  You are much better off looking committed to what you are saying.

English Communication- Get Ready to Start a Conversation

Do you want to be a good conversationalist? Prepare several topics of conversation before you head out for a meeting, reception, social gathering, or meal.

Here are some general subjects you can personalize or adapt to your situation:

• Sports (national, international, local)
• Weather (the good, the bad, the surprising)
• Local events
• Film and art festivals, community theater
• Traffic/travel/parking problems
• Latest movies (Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes)
• Best-selling books
• Magazine articles
• News stories
• Hobbies (cooking, collecting anything, making anything)
• Holidays (Chinese New Year, Halloween, Labor Day, Christmas)
• Schools attended (from grammar school on)
• The location you are in
• The event you are attending
• The host or hostess

Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us!

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercises.