ENGLISH CONVERSATION FOR YOUR LIFE BY NARONGRITH MINGJAREON, PORNTIP WIRIYAPOTIKARN Introducing yourself to Stanley can be tricky because what you say depends en- tirely on the context. You would introduce yourself differently depending on what you were addressing an audience before you give a speech, meeting someone at a networking event, or just starting a conver- 1 SAMPLE WAYS TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF sation with a new person at a party. If you want to know how to introduce yourself in a way that is appropriate and makes people like and remember you. just follow these steps. First, introduce yourself: •. “Hello, my name is Peter Browns.” •. “Hey, how are you? I’m Mary.” •. “My name’s Peter. What’s yours?” Next, give a little info about yourself or break the ice: •. “That’s a great tie. Where did you get it?” •. “I’m originally from New York, but I just moved here a week ago. Are you from around here?” •. “Say, where’s the best place to grab some hamburgers?” Listen to their response, and keep the con- versation going: •. “Oh, you got that tie from Lotus ? They’ve really improved their stores lately.” 2 •. “So you’re originally from England. Do you ski?” •. “Burger King’s hamburger eh? What’s your favorite dish there?” Close the conversation: •. “It has been a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to seeing you again.” •. “Sounds like you know a lot about this city. Maybe you could show me around sometime?” •. “Well, if you’re ever having hamburger, let me know and we can go to lunch.” example of way to introduce yourself 3 One of the first things to do in English is ordering food when you go to a restaurant. There are basic forms and questions, as well food vocabulary that you can use in places where people speak Eng- lish. Ordering food is much easier than cooking it your- self. It sometimes makes for a good night out too. Not quite sure on how to go about ordering food? Here's a few quick tips 2 ORDERING FOOD & DRINKS It's probably a better idea to find a seat before you get your food. This is because if all the seats are full after you've collected your food, you're going to have to either eat standing up or walk around looking for a seat for quite some time. Also, some restau- rants send waiters to your table, so it's required that you find a seat The menu should already be on your table but if it's not, or there are not enough menus for everyone, ask a member of staff for one. The menu includes everything that the restaurant sells and also states their prices. Have a look and see if anything interests you then decide what you're going to buy. This can be done by simply getting a passing waiter's attention or waiting until they come to you. Once they arrive, tell them what you'd like to eat. Make sure that they've written down the correct foods so you don't end up with something that you didn't want. 1. FIND A SEAT 2. LOOK AT THE MENU 3. CALL THE WAITER OVER 5 At some restaurants, they cook the food from scratch as soon as they get your order. This means that it might take some time for your food to get to you. Just be patient, your food should arrive in under half an hour. If it hasn't arrived, tell someone. They may have forgotten about your order, or it might just be a busy day. A: May I get you anything to drink? B: Yes, please. May I get a glass of lemonade? A: Would you like an appetizer? B: May I get an order of barbeque wings? A: Sure, would you like anything else? 4. WAIT FOR YOUR FOOD 5. ENJOY EXAMPLE 6 B: That'll be fine for now, thank you. A: Tell me when you want to order the rest of your food. B: Excuse me. I'm ready to order. A: What would you like? B: Let me have the baby-back ribs. A: Sure, will there be anything else that I can get you? B: That will be it for now. Example way to ordering food and drink 7 When making a formal call, three rules should influence your choice of words: • Be brief. Do not waste the receiver's time. • Be clear. Explain the background and purpose of your call. • Be polite. Recognize the receiver's point of view. 3 TELEPHONING 9 Making contact : ■ Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon ■ This is John Brown speaking ■ Could I speak to please? ■ I'd like to speak to ■ I'm trying to contact Giving more information: ■ I'm calling from Tokyo / Paris / New York / Sydney ■ I'm calling on behalf of Mr. X Taking a call : ■ X speaking. ■ Can I help you? Asking for a name / information : ■ Who's calling please? ■ Who's speaking? ■ Where are you calling from? ■ Are you sure you have the right number / name? Asking the caller to wait : ■ Hold the line please. ■ Could you hold on please? ■ Just a moment please. Connecting : ■ Thank you for holding. ■ The line's free now I'll put you through. ■ I'll connect you now / I'm connecting you now. Giving negative information : ■ I'm afraid the line's engaged. Could you call back later? ■ I'm afraid he's in a meeting at the moment. ■ I'm sorry. He's out of the office today. /
 He isn't in at the moment. ■ I'm afraid we don't have a Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss. here ■ I'm sorry. There's nobody here by that name. ■ Sorry. I think you've dialed the wrong number./
 I'm afraid you've got the wrong number. Telephone problems : ■ The line is very bad Could you speak up please? ■ Could you repeat that please? ■ I'm afraid I can't hear you. ■ Sorry. I didn't catch that. Could you say it again please? Leaving / Taking a message : ■ Can I leave / take a message? ■ Would you like to leave a message? ■ Could you give him/her a message? ■ Could you ask him/her to call me back? ■ Could you tell him/her that I called? ■ Could you give me your name please? ■ Could you spell that please? ■ What's your number please? USEFUL TELEPHONE VOCABULARY AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH. [...]... (the police station, the playground, the library)
 Explain the meaning of each phrase and lead some pronunciation practice exercises.Asking and giving directions conversation   You know how to ASK for directions, but what happens when an English speaker asks YOU for directions This is not a time for small talk Give only basic directions with short phrases Do the best you can Questions you may hear... hear How do I get to Main Street? Where is the closest BTS station? Can you tell me where the shopping centre is? I’m looking for Silom Street Are you from around here? If you know the way…
 Use basic English to offer directions Short phrases are best Speak slowly and use very careful pronunciation Spell out a word if necessary 13 The easiest way is to…
 The quickest way is to…
 The best way is to…... help you.
 Sorry I don’t know my way around here Offer another solution 
 You could ask the bus driver.
 Ask the front desk clerk.
 Follow me I’ll show you the way.
 Do you want me to draw you a map? 16 Conversation on Asking for Directions William: Excuse me, am sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me how I can get to the train station? Kate: Yes no problem, it’s that way Keeping walking straight . ENGLISH CONVERSATION FOR YOUR LIFE BY NARONGRITH MINGJAREON, PORNTIP WIRIYAPOTIKARN Introducing yourself. England. Do you ski?” •. “Burger King’s hamburger eh? What’s your favorite dish there?” Close the conversation: •. “It has been a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to seeing you again.” • and we can go to lunch.” example of way to introduce yourself 3 One of the first things to do in English is ordering food when you go to a restaurant. There are basic forms and questions, as