Conversation practice:

Role play* the following situations with a partner:

Arriving

1. Your partner has just arrived at your home. What do you say?

2. You haven’t seen your partner for a long time.

What do you say when you see him/her again?

3. Your partner just arrived at the airport in your city. Welcome him/her.

Additional phrases:

It’s good to be here. (guest says)

I hope you had a nice flight. (host says)

Leaving

4. After a short conversation, your friend has to leave.

What do you say to him/her?

5. You are seeing your friend off at the airport.

What do you say?

6. Your partner is leaving a party that you hosted. What do you say?

Additional phrases:

Thanks for coming. (host says)

I’m glad you came.

Thanks for inviting me. (guest says)

I really had a good time.

Encouragement

7. Your partner has a big exam this afternoon. What do you say?

8. Your partner has a job interview tomorrow. What do you say?

Reassurance

9. Your partner’s dog was hit by a car. He/She is worried, but the dog will be okay.

What do you say?

Good news

10. Your partner’s wife just had a healthy baby daughter. What do you say?

11. Your partner just got a huge promotion at work. What do you say?

12. Your partner just won first prize in a cooking contest. What do you say?

Bad news

13. Your partner lost $15,000 on the stock market. What do you say?

14. Your partner’s grandmother just passed away. What do you say?

15. Your partner’s home was destroyed by a tornado. What do you say?

*Note:

A typical response to an expression of goodwill is “thank you (for . . .)”
or a reciprocal expression of goodwill.

Example:

Come in. Welcome to our home.

Thanks for inviting us.

It’s been nice talking to you.

Good talking to you too.