Speaking: Interactive Communication A2 - Lesson 4: Showing Interest (e.g., "Oh, really? Wow!")

Speaking: Interactive Communication A2

Function: Showing Interest

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use reaction phrases and follow-up questions to show interest and keep a conversation going.

Keep the Conversation Going! 🎾

A good conversation is like a game of tennis; you must hit the ball back. When someone tells you something, show you are listening and interested. This is a key part of fluency.

A "Passive" Conversation (The conversation dies 🥶)

Rithy: I went to Phnom Penh last weekend.

Sophea: Oh, nice.

...

(The conversation stops.)

An "Active" Conversation (The conversation continues 🔥)

Rithy: I went to Phnom Penh last weekend.

Sophea: Oh, really? That sounds fun. What did you do there?

Rithy: I visited the Royal Palace. It was amazing!

Sophea: Wow! I want to go there someday.

The "React and Ask" Strategy

To be a great conversationalist, use this simple, three-step strategy.

1. Step 1: Listen

   Pay attention to what your partner says.
   "I bought a new phone yesterday."

2. Step 2: React

   Use a short phrase to show you heard them.
   "Oh, cool!"

3. Step 3: Ask

   Ask a follow-up question to get more information.
   "What kind did you get?"

Tips for Sounding Interested

🗣️ The Intonation of Interest

Your intonation is everything when you show interest. A flat, bored voice can make the speaker feel bad.

• "Really? ↗" - Your voice must go up strongly at the end. It should sound like a real question.
• "Wow! ↘" - Your voice should start high and fall down. It shows energy and surprise.
• "That sounds interesting. ↘" - A warm, friendly falling intonation shows that you are sincere.

Practice Showing Interest 🎯

Quiz: Choose a Good Follow-up

Read the statement and choose the best reaction and follow-up question. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Statement: "I was sick last week."

• A) What's your name?
• B) Oh no! Are you okay now?
• C) Do you like music?

2. Statement: "I'm going to cook dinner for my family tonight."

• A) Wow, that's nice! What are you going to make?
• B) Where do you live?
• C) I see.

3. Statement: "I just bought a new bicycle."

• A) It is a bicycle.
• B) Oh, cool! What color is it?
• C) Thank you.

Activity 2: React and Ask (Role-Play)

Work with a partner. Student A makes a true statement about their weekend. Student B must use the "React and Ask" strategy. Then switch roles.

Example A: "I went to a café with my friends on Sunday."

Example B: "Oh, that sounds fun! Which café did you go to?"

Your Interaction Toolkit (Click 🔊)

Reacting to News

• Really? / Oh, really? | ពិត​ឬ?
  Use to show surprise and encourage the speaker to say more.
• Wow! / Cool! | អូហូ! / អែម!
  Use to show you are very impressed or think something is great.
• That sounds fun / interesting / great.
  A great phrase to react to someone's plan or story.
• Oh, no. / That's a shame.
  A phrase to show sympathy for bad news.

Asking a Follow-up Question

• What did you do next?
  Use to ask about the next event in a story.
• Why? / Why not?
  Use to ask for a reason.
• What was it like?
  Use to ask for a description.

Your Communication Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to be a very active listener.

In your next English conversation, when your friend tells you something, use the React and Ask strategy. First, react with a word like "Really?" or "Cool!". Then, ask a follow-up question like "Why?" or "What was it like?".