Speaking: Interactive Communication B2 - Lesson 2: Interrupting Politely & Holding the Floor 🗣️✋📢
Objective: To learn and practice appropriate techniques for interrupting politely when necessary, and for respectfully holding the floor (continuing to speak) to complete a point in a conversation.
- Identify situations where interrupting politely is acceptable or necessary.
- Learn and practice a range of phrases for polite interruptions.
- Understand how to respond graciously when interrupted.
- Learn and practice phrases for politely holding the floor to finish a thought.
- Develop an understanding of balancing assertiveness with politeness in conversational dynamics.
Conversations are dynamic, and sometimes you need to interject with a question, a clarification, or an urgent point. Knowing how to interrupt politely is a crucial skill to avoid appearing rude. Equally important is knowing how to hold the floor respectfully if you are interrupted before finishing an important point. This lesson will focus on these essential aspects of interactive communication.
1. Why and When to Interrupt Politely
While it's generally polite to let someone finish speaking, there are times when an interruption might be necessary or appropriate:
- To ask for urgent clarification if you're completely lost.
- To correct a critical misunderstanding that could derail the conversation.
- To add a very relevant, time-sensitive point that might be missed otherwise.
- In fast-paced discussions where quick interjections are common (be mindful of the context).
- If someone has been speaking for a very long time in a group discussion and others need a chance to speak (this requires more care).
2. Phrases for Interrupting Politely
Using polite language can soften your interruption.
- "Excuse me for interrupting, but..."
- "Sorry to jump in, but..." / "Sorry to cut in, but..."
- "May I just add something here?" / "Could I just add something quickly?"
- "If I could just come in here for a moment..."
- "Before you move on, I just wanted to say/ask..."
- Acknowledging the speaker: "That's an interesting point, Sothea, and if I could quickly add..."
3. Responding When You Are Interrupted
How you react when interrupted also matters.
A. Allowing the Interruption:
- "Sure, go ahead." / "Of course."
- "No problem. What is it?"
B. Politely Indicating You Want to Finish First:
- "Just a moment, please. Let me finish this point."
- "If I could just finish what I was saying..."
- "One second, I'm almost done with this thought."
4. Phrases for Holding the Floor (Politely)
If you are interrupted but feel your point is important to complete, you can politely try to regain your turn.
- After they've spoken: "Thanks for that. If I could just go back to what I was saying..."
- "As I was about to say before..."
- "Just to complete my point..."
- "If I may just quickly finish..."
Practice Activities
Activity 1: "What Would You Say?" Scenarios
Read the scenario. How would you respond using a phrase for interrupting or holding the floor politely? Click the button for a sample answer.
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Situation: Your colleague is explaining a plan for a community project in your area of Battambang, but you think they've missed a crucial detail about local permissions needed.
How would you politely interrupt to add this?
"Excuse me for interrupting, Dara, but before we go further, have we considered the permissions needed from the Sangkat office?" -
Situation: You are explaining your idea in a meeting, and a colleague starts talking over you with a different suggestion. You want to finish your idea first.
How would you politely hold the floor?
"Just a moment, Sopheap, if I could just quickly finish explaining this part, then I'd be happy to hear your suggestion." -
Situation: You are talking to your friend about your weekend. They interrupt to tell you about their weekend. After they finish, you want to continue your story.
How would you get back to your story?
"That sounds like you had a great weekend! Anyway, as I was saying about my trip to the countryside..."
Activity 2: Role-Play: The Lively Discussion
In pairs or small groups, choose a topic for a lively discussion (e.g., "The best way to improve traffic flow in Phnom Penh," "Should all university students in Cambodia be required to learn a third language?," "Planning a surprise party for a mutual friend").
During the discussion, consciously practice:
- One person politely interrupting another with a relevant question or point.
- One person being interrupted and responding (either allowing it or asking to finish).
- One person politely holding the floor if they feel their point wasn't completed.
Focus on using the phrases learned in this lesson. Give each other feedback afterwards.
- Use a softer tone of voice: This makes interruptions seem less aggressive.
- Make eye contact: This helps signal your intention to speak or resume.
- Be brief: If you interrupt, make your point or ask your question quickly.
- Acknowledge the speaker: Phrases like "That's a good point, but..." show you were listening before interrupting.
- Read the situation: In some cultures or formal settings, interrupting is less acceptable. Be mindful of social cues. For instance, in many Cambodian settings, direct interruption of an elder or superior might be considered impolite, so these techniques are best used with peers or in more informal/international settings.
- Don't make it a habit: Constant interrupting is disruptive, no matter how politely phrased.
Summary: Knowing how to interrupt politely and hold the floor respectfully are important skills for effective and dynamic communication. By using appropriate phrases and being mindful of the conversational context, you can contribute your ideas and ensure your points are heard without disrupting the flow or appearing rude. These skills help create more balanced and productive discussions.