Speaking: Interactive Communication C2 - Lesson 1: Masterful & Effortless Interaction in Any Setting or Group Dynamic

Speaking: Interactive Communication C2

Masterful Interaction in Any Group Dynamic

Listen to the scenario audio here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to masterfully navigate complex group discussions, using advanced discourse markers to steer the conversation, build consensus, and manage differing personalities with diplomatic language.

Scenario: The Unspoken Meaning 💬

At C2, what is not said is just as important as what *is* said. The meaning is hidden in the music of the voice (prosody). Notice how Sothea (the C2 speaker) manages the conversation.

Dara: I just don't think this new marketing plan is feasible. We're wasting our time.

Sothea (You): I understand your concern about the timeline, Dara. That's a valid point. To play devil's advocate for a moment, what if we *don't* try this new approach? Where does that leave us? (Function: Acknowledge + Steer with a challenge)

Dara: It leaves us not failing. We should stick to what we know.

Sothea (You): Fair enough. Vanna, you've been quiet. I'm keen to hear your take on this. (Function: Include a quiet member)

Vanna: Well... I was thinking... maybe we could combine the old method with a small test of the new one?

Sothea (You): That's an interesting thought. So, just to clarify, what you're proposing is a hybrid model? (Function: Paraphrase to empower Vanna)

Vanna: Exactly. We use the old method for our main clients and test the new one on a smaller market.

Sothea (You): That could be the perfect compromise. Dara, how would you feel about that as a path forward? It addresses your risk concerns while still allowing us to innovate. (Function: Synthesize + Build consensus)

The C2 Interaction Toolkit 🛠️ (Click 🔊)

Masterful interaction relies on a toolkit of phrases for specific social functions.

Tool 1: Tonic Stress (The "Focus Word")

This is your most powerful tool. The word you stress the most (the tonic syllable) becomes the "focus" and can change the entire meaning of a sentence. Click each word below to hear how the meaning changes.

Click a word to see its implied meaning.

Tool 2: Steering & Focusing

Guide the conversation back on track or to a specific point.

• To bring us back to the main point... กลับไปที่ประเด็นหลัก...
• That's a valid point, but let's not lose sight of... นั่นเป็นประเด็นที่ดี แต่เราอย่าลืม...
• To play devil's advocate for a moment... ขอเป็นฝ่ายค้านสักครู่...

Tool 3: Managing Participants

Handle interruptions, silence, and build consensus.

• (To a quiet person) "Vanna, I'm keen to hear your take on this." วรรณา ฉันอยากฟังความเห็นคุณ
• (When interrupted) "If I could just finish my point..." ขอฉันพูดให้จบก่อน...
• (To build agreement) "Can we all agree that..." เราเห็นตรงกันได้ไหมว่า...

Practice Your C2 Skills 🎯

Practice Quiz: What's the Function?

Read the situation, then choose the *best* C2 phrase for the job. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Situation: The team is arguing about small details, but avoiding the main problem (the budget).

You say:

• A) "You are all wrong."
• B) "That's interesting, but let's not lose sight of the budget issue."
• C) "So, what's for lunch?"

---

2. Situation: You want to disagree with your boss, but in a very polite, challenging way.

You say:

• A) "To play devil's advocate, what if your idea causes us to lose clients?"
• B) "I doubt that will work."
• C) "That's a bad idea."

---

3. Situation: Two colleagues (Dara and Vanna) have just proposed two very different ideas.

You say:

• A) "Dara, I think your idea is better."
• B) "That's an interesting thought, Vanna. Dara, how would you feel if we combine your idea with Vanna's?"
• C) "Let's vote."

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

• Feasible (Adjective) | អាចធ្វើទៅបាន
  Possible to do easily or conveniently.
• Consensus (Noun) | ការព្រមព្រៀងគ្នា
  A general agreement among a group of people.
• To Play Devil's Advocate (Idiom) | ធ្វើជាฝ่ายค้าน
  To express an opposing opinion, often to test an idea or start a debate.
• To Steer (a conversation) (Verb) | ដឹកនាំ (ការសន្ទនា)
  To guide the direction of the discussion.
• To Mediate (Verb) | សម្របសម្រួល
  To intervene in a dispute in order to resolve it.
• Nuance (Noun) | ភាពខុសគ្នា
  A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.
• Pragmatic (Adjective) | ជាក់ស្តែងនិយម
  Dealing with things sensibly and realistically; practical.
• Resigned (Adjective) | ព្រមទទួល
  Having accepted something unpleasant that one cannot do anything about.

Your Mission: The Facilitator Challenge ⭐

Your mission is to practice managing a complex group dynamic.

1. Find a group discussion (in English) with at least 3 people. This could be a podcast, a YouTube debate, or a meeting at your work.
2. Listen actively. Do not just listen to the topic; listen to the interaction.
3. Identify:
   • Who is the dominant speaker? Who is the quiet one?
   • When does someone interrupt?
   • When does the topic go off-track?
   • When does someone use diplomatic language to disagree?
4. Write down or record yourself explaining what you observed. Then, state what *you* would have said.
   Example: "At 5:30, Dara interrupted Vanna. I would have waited for him to finish, and then said, 'Thank you, Dara. Vanna, you were in the middle of a point, could you please finish?'"