Speaking on the telephone or on Skype in a foreign language has to be one of the most terrifying things you can do. Speaking to someone who keeps quiet and does not say anything makes you feel even unsure of yourself. You begin to wonder if you’ve said something wrong, or are not being understood.

If a non-native English speaker is speaking with you in English, try to make them feel at ease. Give them positive feedback as they speak (without interrupting them). You should use comments such as “yes, I see” or “I know what you mean”, or even just “uh huh” to let them know that you are listening and understanding what they are saying to you. It makes the conversation flow better, and makes both of you feel better.

Tips like this one can be found at gonaturalenglish.com where you can also learn how to improve your English language grammar and spelling skills as well as speaking and listening. Gabby Wallace is there to support you along your English language journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwcPOSHuD7w

Episode transcript below:

Hey There! What’s up? How’s it going?

I have a quick English tip for you that will help you to make your telephone conversations, or Skype conversations, whatever you use to call people up these days.

It will make them even better – one big mistake to avoid – so, if you want to know, keep watching.

Now, I had an experience where I was talking on Skype with a friend of mine – actually, now she’s a friend but I guess you could say when I called her, it was the first time that we spoke so I didn’t really know her at all, and when we were talking on Skype, I experienced this weird feeling because every time that I said something she was kind of silent.

Actually, she was silent.

She didn’t say anything so I had to again say something more, or ask a question to see if she would respond but her silence made me realize that in American English telephone conversations, we’re always making some noise or small comments to show that we’re listening, that we’re interested, and that we’re really engaged in the conversation.

So, without even using any new words, it’s important to use these phrases like “uh huh”, “yes”, “I see”, “Okay.”

These kind of phrases make a huge difference and they’ll make your partner, or the person you’re speaking with feel like you’re really interested and part of the conversation.

Now, I am not sure about this silence in other cultures or other languages, but I think in American English we don’t like silence.

So, try to be aware and observe how your conversation partners are feeling that silence or if they’re not feeling that silence.

It’s all about observing and learning from your surroundings and that’s the natural way.

So, if you’d like to learn more about how to learn English the Go Natural English way, come back to gonaturalenglish.com, where you can find out about the premium course and I’d like to give you a free eBook just for visiting.

Thanks so much for watching and I hope to see you soon.

Bye for now!

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