American Conversation Openings and Closings

Openings and Closings

• Opening and closing conversations are crucial parts of everyday communication.
• American conversation strategies have similarities and differences compared to other cultures.
• Dialogues illustrate how greetings and closings are structured in American conversations.

Dialogues A, B, and C

• Dialogue A showcases a casual conversation between Mike and Grace.
• Dialogue B depicts a formal telephone conversation between Dean Schubert and Fred Marshall.
• Dialogue C shows an informal conversation between Jack and Susie, and involving Mike.
• Differences in formality and the context shape the interaction.
• Phrases like "How are you doing?" or "Where are you going?" are common openings.
• Speakers use expressions like "Bye" or "Sounds good" to close conversations.
• The number of exchanges varies depending on the formality and the relationship.

Unit 1 Discussion Questions

• Speakers use distinct conversational cues to indicate beginning and end of conversation.
• The degree of formality in the interactions influences how the conversation unfolds and its length in terms of exchanges.
• The types of exchanges or responses given demonstrate levels of formality in the discussions.

Unit 1 Greetings

• Greetings in all languages serve to show respect and create connections with other people.
• Greeting formulas are often not literal, but have communicative power.
• Formal greetings may use titles and last names, whereas informal ones might have nicknames or first names.
• The level of formality in greetings depends on the relationship between individuals and the culture.
• Common greetings in formal situations may include "good morning," "good afternoon," "good evening" or informal "how are you?".

Unit 1 Preclosings and Closings

• Preclosings signal the end of a conversation, while closings explicitly finish it.
• People with whom you are less familiar often require more robust preclosing cues to signal the end.
• The context, such as formal situations, influences preclosings and closings.
• Speakers use phrases like thanking for something.
• Closing phrases like "taking care" or "good bye" may vary across cultures.

Unit 1 Phrases

• This section features a list of English greetings and closings, from formal to informal.
• Greetings vary based on the time of day.
• Common phrases, like "good morning," are commonly used as formal greetings.
• Less formal phrases might include "how are you?".
• Different greetings are used for establishing or maintaining a connection.

Unit 1 Small Group Practice

• Practice dialogues involving different social situations and relationships.
• Dialogues need to be in line with the level of formality between characters.
• Examples of dialogue completion for various situations are given.

Unit 2 Introductions and Address Systems

• Proper introductions involve using names and titles.
• Formal introductions often use titles and last names.
• Informal introductions may use only first names.
• Handshakes are a common way to greet people for introductions.
• The level of formality influences the choice of names and greetings(formal or informal).

Unit 2 Phrases

• Features commonly used phrases during introductions.

Unit 2 Small Group Practice

• Practice dialogues for various situations focusing on introductions.
• Social context and relationships drive how introductions are made.

Unit 3 Invitations

• Formal invitations with written text and formal details are common practice in making an invitation.
• Making an invitation to a person, either in person or over the phone.
• Accepting or rejecting an invitation requires polite expressions and reasons.
• Levels of formality can influence invitation formats.

Unit 3 Phrases

• Offers suggestions of greetings, preclosings and expressions, and responses for accepting or declining invitations.

Unit 3 Small Group Practice

• Practice in the context of arranging invitations for various situations.

Unit 4 Thanking

• Thanking customs vary across cultures.
• Thanking someone is generally a way of showing appreciation.
• Thanking for gifts, favors, or services requires specific phrases.
• Appropriate levels of formality influence how thank you expressions are given.

Unit 4 Phrases

• Includes thanks for favors, presents, gifts, or asking for additional help.

Unit 5 Apologizing

• Apologies vary in formality depending on the situation and relationships.
• Apologies should include an explanation as to why mistake was made.
• Appropriate apologies should include clear expressions of regret and acceptance of responsibility and avoid blaming others.

Unit 5 Phrases

• Provides phrases for apologizing in various situations and relationships, ranging from formal to informal.

Unit 5 Small Group Practice

• Encourages practical application of apologizing in different situations.

Unit 6 Expressing Anger

• Cultural norms affect how anger is expressed, and the expressions used.
• Various expressions demonstrate different levels of intensity when expressing anger.
• Understanding the context and relationship helps determine suitable ways of expressing anger.

Unit 6 Phrases

• Includes phrases for expressing and resolving conflict.

Unit 7 Giving Compliments

• Compliments are used to show approval or admiration.
• Compliments and responses should reflect the level of formality.

Unit 7 Phrases

• Offers phrases for giving and replying to compliments.

Unit 7 Small Group Practice

• Encourages practical application of giving and receiving compliments in different situations.

Unit 8 Getting Attention

• Interruptions and ways of getting attention vary across cultures.
• Formal and less formal expressions are useful tools for getting another's attention.
• Respecting personal space and someone's interaction.

Unit 8 Phrases

• Offers phrases for getting people's attention and interrupting, including both formal and informal options.

Unit 8 Small Group Practice

• Provides practice for getting attention and interrupting in different situations.

Unit 9 Agreeing and Disagreeing

• Discussing opinions and expressing agreement or disagreement.
• Use of phrases and suitable non-verbal cues for showing respect and attentiveness in arguments.
• Formality in agreement and disagreement interactions.

Unit 9 Phrases

• Includes expressions for agreements and disagreements.

Unit 9 Small Group Practice

• Provides realistic practice of disagreements and agreements.

Unit 10 Controlling Conversations

• Controlling a conversation requires appropriate strategies and expressions.
• Expressing understanding, surprise, or disagreements.
• Politely changing the subject of a conversation.

Unit 10 Phrases

• Phrases for showing attentiveness, understanding, showing surprise, and changing subjects in dialogues.

Unit 10 Small Group Practice

• Practice applications of controlling conversations in various settings.

Explore the essential elements of American conversational openings and closings through various dialogues. This quiz examines how formality and context influence interactions, highlighting common phrases used in everyday communication. Engage with the differences and similarities in conversational strategies across cultures.