沟通英语第2版听力文本.docVIP

Unit One Listening Task Conversational Skills : How to Be a Good Conversationalist Have you wished you were better at making a conversation? A great conversationalist is someone who connects with people and makes them feel important. When they talk to you, they make you feel like youre the only person in the room. Becoming a good conversationalist requires knowing three things: first, how to start a conversation; second, how to keep it going; and third, how to end it. Starting a conversation usually means coming up with an opening line or ice breaker. The best kind of ice breaker is one thats positive. The last thing people want to hear from a stranger is how noisy the party is, how awful the food is, or how ugly the people are dressed. A compliment is always a good ice breaker and will usually be appreciated. Any news event is a good ice breaker. I encourage all of you to read the newspaper because its so important to know whats going on in the world. The fact is, any opening line will do, as long as its not negative, and as long as its not a lie. The best way to entice a person to have a conversation with you is by being sincere and respectful, and letting them know that you are interested in talking to them. Once youve got a conversation going, the best way to keep it going is by asking the other person questions that dont require just a yes or no answer or questions which show genuine interest on your part. For example, if someone says, Im from Miami, you may respond with, Oh, Ive been to Miami! and continue with, How long have you lived there? Then, I was born there, and Ive lived there all my life. You might say, Ive never met anyone who is a Florida native. Is your family from Miami as well? You keep asking questions based on the last thing a person says. This is called the elaboration technique. Choose questions that will get the other person to elaborate on what theyre saying. Ask questions similar to those a reporter might ask