Basic Conversation Strategies: Learning the Art of Interactive Listening and Conversing

Basic Conversation Strategies is a prequel to the intermediate-level Conversation Strategies. One significant difference is that Basic Conversation Strategies includes an important listening component. Conversation is, after all, not just speaking; it also involves listening, and a major part of the approach in this book is dedicated to training learners to become effective listeners.

This resource is organized into three main components. The Student Workbook contains everything students need to complete the exercises, except for the listening and response material. This material is provided through a downloadable audio program. The Student Workbook does not include printed versions of the listening input, reflecting real-world conversation, which does not come with subtitles or closed captions.

The printed version of the listening input is available in the free Teacher’s Edition, an essential component of Basic Conversation Strategies. The Teacher’s Edition includes the complete Student Workbook, full scripts of all listening passages, teaching notes and suggestions, as well as feedback and evaluation forms.

The audio program includes 67 listening exercises featuring six activity types: Listen and Fill-In, Circle, Choose, Repeat, Respond, and Write.

Features

• Free accompanying audio program, available to download from Pro Lingua Learning or stream on Pro Lingua Learning Audio.
• Teacher’s Edition and Student Workbook available free at Pro Lingua Learning, including full scripts, teaching notes, feedback tools, and evaluation forms.
• Strong listening-first approach that emphasizes conversation as both speaking and listening.
• Explicit training in listening comprehension to improve real-world conversational interaction.
• 67 structured listening exercises.
• Six exercise types: Listen and Fill-In, Circle, Choose, Repeat, Respond, and Write.

Similar Titles

• Conversation Strategies
• Discussion Strategies
• Conversation Inspirations
• Dictations for Discussion
• Interactive Dictations

David and Peggy Kehe, authors of Basic Conversation Strategies, have co-written eight textbooks with Pro Lingua Learning. They have been ESL teachers for over 35 years in the U.S., Japan, and Greece and with the Peace Corps in Niger. They both have a Master of Arts in TESOL from the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, Vermont. Currently, David is Faculty Emeritus at Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA, and Peggy is retired from teaching. David also writes a blog about teaching ESL called "Common Sense Teaching ESL.