Compelling Conversations - Softcover

Roth, Eric Hermann; Aberson, Toni W

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0982617801 ISBN 13: 9780982617809

Publisher: Chimayo Press, 2010

Synopsis

This innovative ESL/EFL textbook helps advanced English language learners develop conversation skills and improve fluency by sharing experiences, reflecting on their lives, and discussing proverbs and quotations. The oral skills English textbook includes 45 thematic chapters, over 1,350 questions, 500 vocabulary words, 250 proverbs and American idioms, and 500 quotations to create and sustain conversations and class discussions. Designed for both adult education and intensive English language students, the conversations and activities deepen critical thinking skills and develop speaking skills essential to success in community college and university programs. Compelling Conversations has been used in classrooms in over 50+ countries, recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, adopted by conversation clubs and private English tutors, and enjoyed by thousands of English students across the globe.

About this title

From the Author:

"Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure."
- Edward Thorndike (1874-1949), American psychologist

The art of conversation, once considered the sign of a civilized individual, seems less common today. Yet I treasure the moments of sharing experiences, collecting news, and exchanging ideas. I make a point of knowing my neighbors, allowing casual greetings to become long conversations, and making time to explore in depth the feelings and perceptions of friends, students, and relatives. These natural conversations provide information, encouragement, and pleasure.

Many people say that they are too busy to have long talks. Other people prefer to watch YouTube, play computer games, chat via email rather than talk to relatives, co-workers, and friends. Many Americans, it seems, have forgotten how to hold good, deep conversations - or even a friendly chat on the phone. I suspect this lack of real communication lessens their daily joy.

English language learners, of course, face many more barriers to have a satisfying conversation in English. First, English remains a confusing, difficult, and strange language. It's very easy to feel uncomfortable when speaking a new language - whether a second or fourth.  English students in my advanced speaking skills courses often ask questions like:

• How do start a conversation?
• What questions do I ask?
• How can I keep a real conversation going?
• How do I share agreement - or disagreement - in a polite way?
• How can I share my experiences in clear manner with appropriate vocabulary?
• How I can have better, more engaging conversations?

Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics addresses these issues for both native and non-native speakers. The focus remains on learning by doing and making "good mistakes". (Good mistakes, by the way, are natural mistakes that help us learn so we can make different and better "good mistakes" next time.)

Each of the 45 thematic chapters focuses on a promising conversation topic. Every chapter includes 30 or more questions (both direct and indirect), 10 or more targeted academic vocabulary words, a few proverbs to paraphrase, and 10 or more quotations to discuss from a variety of perspectives. Although designed for advanced English language learners, many intermediate ESL and EFL students will plenty of material to use can can benefit from exposure to authentic questions, common phrases, and new vocabulary words.

As I tell my university English students, "your English may not be perfect yet, but daily practice does lead to significant progress." Compelling Conversations gives students, teachers, and tutors the tools and phrases to talk more and listen better to friends, classmates, and strangers in English.  I hope you enjoy creating many compelling conversations - in and out - of the English classrooms!

Eric H. Roth
co-author of Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics

From the Back Cover:

... highly effective
 
"In sum, Compelling Conversations is a recommended
resource for teachers who want to make their
conversation classes more learner-centered. It should
be especially appealing to those who wish to escape
the confines of the Presentation-Practice-Production
approach and do without a formal grammatical or
functional syllabus. It reflects the authors' considerable
professional experience, and would be a notable
addition to any English teacher's bookshelf."
 
Hall Houston
English Teaching Professional magazine 



...hours of conversation practice
 
"I wish I had written this book! It will provide students
with hours of conversation practice."
 
Nina Ito
California State University Teacher and Co-author of
The Great Big BINGO Book: Bingo Games for ESL Learners
...excellent!
 
"This book is excellent! Both teachers and students love
it."
Marina Goldshteyn, Director
Community Enhancement Services College

...wonderful
 
"A wonderful source of materials triggering authentic
(not stilted) communication."
 
Dr. Sharon Myers, Lecturer
American Language Institute
University of Southern California
 
... natural conversations
 
"The students I tutor are well-educated adults, rich
in culture and experiences. This book allows them to
produce natural conversations using what is most
intimate to them: their lives and their culture."
 
Patricia Schulz, ESL Tutor
...allows students to learn by speaking
 
"Immigrants need to feel comfortable speaking
English, but too often students learn everything
except conversation in ESL classrooms. Compelling
Conversations allows students to learn by speaking."
 
Zigmund Vays, Founder/President
Community Enhancement Services College

About this edition

• Publisher: Chimayo Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0982617801
• ISBN 13: 9780982617809
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 166