[rabble]

Eric, I do think your conversations are compelling but I think that for me personally is to teach the students the language and structure to be able to actually express their answers at the level I teach.
To be honest I think most native speakers could benefit from your book.
I remember at my local adult education centre they held a class on The Art of Converstion. I thought it was a bit silly at the time but not anymore.
When I was 11 years old I read how to win friends and influence people, sad really. But I wasn't feeling comfortable at the time. One thing I retained was to ask people about themselves in an interested way, not prying and know the difference.
Good on you