Speaking: Interactive Communication B1 - Lesson 4: Clarifying & Confirming

Speaking: Interactive Communication B1

Function: Clarifying & Confirming

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use phrases to clarify your own ideas and to confirm your understanding of what other people say.

Conversation Scenario: Avoiding Misunderstanding 💬

Good communicators use special phrases to clarify (make something clearer) and confirm (check if something is correct) to prevent problems.

Manager: We need to finish this project by next week. We should delegate the tasks.

You: Sorry, what does "delegate" mean?
(Asking for clarification)

Manager: Oh, sorry. In other words, we should split the work between us. Does that make sense?

You: Ah, yes. Okay. So, if I understand correctly, you'll do the research and I'll make the presentation?

Manager: Exactly. That's the plan.

You: Great. I just wanted to be clear.

Your Interaction Toolkit 🛠️

🗣️ Function: Clarifying What YOU Mean

• Let me rephrase that... (when you want to say your idea again in a different way)
• In other words... (to introduce a simpler explanation)
• What I mean is... (a direct way to clarify)

👂 Function: Confirming What THEY Mean

• If I understand correctly,... (very polite)
• So, you're saying that...? (common and useful)
• Just to be clear,... (for important details)

Communication Strategy: The Paraphrase Loop 🔄

Paraphrasing (saying something in your own words) is a powerful skill. Use this three-step loop to confirm your understanding.

1. Listen Carefully

Friend: "We should meet at the cafe at 9, but not the one near the market, the other one."

2. Paraphrase Their Idea

You: "Okay, so just to be clear, we're meeting at the cafe near the university..."

3. Confirm with a Question

You: "...at 9 o'clock. Is that right?"

Tips for Clear Communication

💡 Intonation of Clarifying & Confirming

• When you clarify your own point, your intonation is usually falling. You are stating a fact more simply.
  Example: "In other words, we need to work harder. ↘"
• When you confirm your understanding, your intonation is usually rising. You are asking if you are correct.
  Example: "So, you're saying we need to work harder? ↗"

Practice Your Skills 🎯

Activity 1: What's the Function?

Is the phrase for CLARIFYING your point, or CONFIRMING their point?

1. "So, what you're saying is..." → (Confirming)
2. "What I mean is..." → (Clarifying)
3. "If I understand correctly..." → (Confirming)
4. "Let me put it another way..." → (Clarifying)

Activity 2: Paraphrase to Confirm

Work with a partner. Student A says a statement. Student B must paraphrase it to confirm they understand.

• Student A: "The meeting isn't cancelled; it's just been postponed until 3 PM tomorrow."
• Student B: "Okay, so just to be clear, the meeting is tomorrow at 3 PM?"
• Student A: "That's right."

Key Phrases Review

• to clarify / to confirm (Verbs) | បញ្ជាក់
• Let me rephrase that. / In other words... (Clarifying Phrases)
• If I understand correctly... / So, you're saying that...? (Confirming Phrases)
• Exactly. / That's right. (Responses)

Your Communication Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to avoid all misunderstandings. In your next important English conversation (e.g., about a plan), use one confirming phrase.

After your friend gives you information, say "Okay, so if I understand correctly..." and repeat the information in your own words. This is a very powerful skill for a clear communicator.