[Beatrix]

Please, do you know any sites where I could find topics or useful language to practice informal conversation? My pupil only wants to improve his English in order to chat with his business partners because (his words) most of the business agreements are made while having an informal talk .

Thanks a lot

[puu_sawn]

"most of the business agreements are made while having an informal talk" Very true!

I've used the Compelling Conversations book quite regularly with one of my students. Home -They have a few free .pdf's you can try first.

Another thing I did is I emailed all my personal friends (non ESL teachers) and asked for five questions each from them.

My email was something like:
One of the ice breakers I've been using with ESL students is to have a stack on index cards with questions on them. Such as "Do you think Graffiti is art? Why?" It's good for 10-15 minutes of conversation. Makes it more like a game, less like an interview, especially with tutoring one-one-one.

I've asked students to create some of their own but I'm looking for some more offbeat questions.. yet in good taste of course...

I compiled them all, printed them out on stickers and put on index cards. You'd be surprised the topics your friends can come up with for questions. : D

[mesmark]

try ESL Discussions: English Conversation Questions: Speaking Lesson Activities

[Beatrix]

thanks!!!

[Beatrix]

again, thanks mesmark, the website is really good


thanks to you too puu, but I have one-on-one lesson with this pupil