Speaking: Interactive Communication B2 - Lesson 2: Interrupting Politely & Holding the Floor
Welcome back! A dynamic conversation requires a delicate balance between listening and speaking. Today, we'll focus on two powerful, related skills: how to politely interrupt1 when you have something important to say, and how to hold the floor2 when someone interrupts you. Mastering this will make you a more confident and assertive3 communicator.
The Art of Polite Interruption
Interrupting isn't about being rude; it's about contributing to the conversation at the right moment. The key is to choose a phrase that matches the situation's formality.
- Soft Interruption (Formal / Respectful)
- Use when speaking to a superior or in a very formal setting.
- "Excuse me, may I add something quickly?"
- "Before we move on, could I ask for a clarification4?"
- Standard Interruption (Most Common)
- Use in everyday meetings or group discussions with peers.
- "Sorry to jump in, but..."
- "Can I just make a point here?"
- Urgent Interruption (Correcting Information)
- Use when you need to correct a fact before the conversation continues based on wrong information.
- "Actually, if I could stop you for a moment, the latest data shows something different."
How to Hold the Floor (Keep Your Turn)
If you are in the middle of a complex point and someone interrupts, you need a polite way to signal that you need more time to finish.
- Acknowledge and Postpone: This is a very effective and collaborative technique. It shows you are listening to them, too.
"That's an excellent point, and I'll get to that in just a second. I just wanted to finish by saying..." - Be Direct and Polite:
"If you'll just let me finish my thought..."
"Please let me complete this point, and then I'd be happy to hear your view." - Use Body Language: Often, simply raising a hand slightly in a "just a moment" gesture while you continue speaking is enough to signal that you are not finished.
Scenario: A Lively Team Debate
Listen to this debate about a project deadline. Notice how the speakers interrupt each other but also hold their ground to make sure their points are fully explained.
Thida: "Based on our current progress, I believe we need to ask for a two-week extension on the deadline."
Ravy: "Sorry to interrupt, Thida, but a two-week extension might cause problems with the client's marketing schedule. Have we considered that?"
Thida: "That's a valid point, and I'll address that in a moment. (Holds the floor) But first, if you'll let me finish, the main reason we need the extension is due to the unexpected software bugs, which have delayed our team by several days."
Ravy: "I see. So it's a technical issue, not a planning issue."
Thida: "Exactly. It's important to be clear on that before we discuss the client's schedule."
Reading the Room: Timing is Everything
Knowing *when* to interrupt is as important as knowing *how*. Pay attention to social cues.
- Good time to interrupt: When someone has been speaking for a very long time, when the conversation is going off-topic, or to ask a quick, clarifying question that will help everyone understand.
- Bad time to interrupt: When someone is sharing a personal or emotional story, when they are clearly in the middle of making a very important point, or when your boss is giving a direct instruction.
Your goal should always be to help the conversation, not to dominate it.
Practice Quiz: What's the Best Phrase?
Read the situation and choose the most appropriate response.
1. You are explaining a complex process to your team. After you explain the first step, a junior colleague interrupts with a question about the final step. How do you politely hold the floor?
A) "Please be quiet until I am finished."
B) "That's a great question. Let me just explain step two, and I promise we'll get to that right after."
C) "I don't know, I haven't gotten there yet."
→ Answer: B. It validates5 their question while allowing you to maintain the logical structure of your explanation.
2. In a meeting, your colleague says, "Our sales increased by 15% last year." You know for a fact the correct number is 5%. What is the best way to interrupt?
A) "That's wrong."
B) "If I could just jump in, I think there might be a small correction on that figure. The report I have shows 5%."
C) Wait until the end of the meeting to correct them.
→ Answer: B. This is a polite, non-confrontational way to correct important information before the team continues the discussion based on the wrong data.
Your Mission: Practice in a Safe Environment
These skills can be intimidating to practice in a real, high-stakes meeting. The best way to build confidence is in a "safe" environment.
- Find a friend or classmate who is also practicing their English.
- Choose a fun topic to debate, like "Is it better to live in the city or the countryside?" or "Are cats better pets than dogs?".
- Make a deal: During your 5-minute conversation, you must both try to interrupt politely at least once, and also try to hold the floor at least once.
- Because you both know it's just for practice, it removes the fear and pressure. This helps build the "muscle memory" for when you need to do it in a real situation.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Interrupt: (Verb) - កាត់ចង្វាក់ - To stop a person from speaking by saying or doing something. ↩
- Hold the floor: (Idiom) - បន្តការនិយាយ - To have the right to speak during a discussion; to maintain one's turn to speak. ↩
- Assertive: (Adjective) - ដែលហ៊ានបញ្ចេញមតិ - Behaving confidently and not being afraid to state your opinions or desires. ↩
- Clarification: (Noun) - ការបញ្ជាក់ - An explanation or more details that makes something easier to understand. ↩
- Validate: (Verb) - ទទួលស្គាល់ - To recognize, confirm, or show respect for another person's feelings or opinions. ↩