The Flow of Conversation: Managing Topics
CEFR Level B2Lesson Goals
In this B2 lesson, you will learn to analyze the structure of natural conversations. You will identify and understand the specific signal phrases speakers use to skillfully introduce, change, and close topics in discourse.
Navigating a Conversation
Think of a conversation as a journey. Skilled speakers act like drivers, using "signals" to show when they are turning, stopping, or changing direction. These signals are phrases that guide the conversation and make it easy for the listener to follow. Understanding them is key to mastering conversational fluency.
Signal Phrases for Topic Management
Listen for these common phrases speakers use to manage the flow of the conversation.
| Function | Common Signal Phrases |
|---|---|
| Introducing a Topic | "So, I wanted to ask you about...", "Speaking of that, it reminds me...", "By the way...", "Did you hear about...?" |
| Changing a Topic | "Anyway, moving on...", "Not to change the subject, but...", "On a completely different note..." |
| Closing a Topic / Conversation | "Well, that's all I had on that.", "Anyway, I should let you go.", "It was great talking to you." |
Example in Action: A Natural Dialogue
Listen to this conversation between two friends, Srey and Bora. Pay attention to the highlighted phrases.
Srey: Hi Bora! I'm so glad I ran into you. I wanted to ask you about that new cafe near the old market. Have you been?
Bora: Oh, yes! I went last week. The coffee is excellent, but the cake was a little too sweet for me.
Srey: Good to know. I might check it out this weekend.
Bora: Speaking of the weekend, do you have any plans? I was thinking of going to the national park.
Srey: That sounds amazing! I'm free on Saturday.
Bora: Great, I'll message you. Anyway, I should probably get back to work. It was great to see you!
Srey: You too! Talk to you later.
Deeper Dive: Explicit vs. Implicit Changes
The phrases in the table are explicit signals—they clearly announce a change. However, in many fast-paced conversations, topics change implicitly, without a signal.
This happens when one idea naturally leads to another. For example:
"I went to that new cafe (Topic: Cafe) -> Their coffee was so strong (Topic: Coffee) -> It reminds me of the coffee I had in Vietnam (Topic: Vietnam Trip)."
As a B2 learner, your task is to notice both the explicit signals and these more subtle, implicit shifts in topic.
Practice: What is the Speaker's Intention?
Listen to the start of each sentence in the audio. Choose the speaker's most likely intention.
- "I know we're talking about the project, but not to change the subject..." What will they do next?
- "Well, it was really nice chatting with you..." What is their intention?
- "By the way, did you hear what happened to Dara?" What are they doing?
Show Answers
Answers: 1-a, 2-c, 3-a
Vocabulary
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Discourse (noun) [សុន្ទរកថា]
Written or spoken communication, especially the way language is used in social contexts.
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Topic Management (noun phrase) [ការគ្រប់គ្រងប្រធានបទ]
The strategies speakers use to introduce, maintain, change, and close topics.
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Signal Phrase (noun phrase) [ឃ្លាសញ្ញា]
A word or phrase that gives a cue to the listener about the speaker's intention.
Your Mission
Apply your new skills with these real-world listening and speaking tasks.
- Podcast Analysis: Listen to a 5-10 minute segment of an English podcast with multiple hosts (e.g., a talk show). Your goal is to identify and write down one clear signal phrase a speaker uses to change the topic.
- Conversation Challenge: In your next English conversation with a friend, intentionally practice managing the topic. Start by talking about your week. Then, use a signal phrase from this lesson to smoothly change the topic to future holiday plans.