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HELPER PHRASES

Language profficienty is perhaps not so much a matter of how much you know as what you can do with what you've got. The aim of this exercise is to become an active listenter, who is ready to give feedback or ask for clarification. 

Please give high priority to this little exercise, learn the phrases below by heart, and practice them. They can make a world of a difference in how effective of a communicator you appear in an interveiw situation.

Some examples

Could you slow down, please?
Please repeat your question.
Pardon? Pardon me?
Excuse me?
What does ..... mean?
I didn’t get it. Could you start from the beginning?
What do you mean by...... ?
I am not sure I fully understand you. Could you run it by me again?
Could you write this word down?
How do you spell it?
I am afraid this topic is out of my reach, language-wise.
Could you define.....? Is ... the same as .... ?
Please speak up, I can hardly hear you.
I give up. Let’s call an interpreter!
Please bear with me, I’ve just started learning English.
You think we can manage, or should I call someone whose English is better?
Yes, I see what you mean.
Yes.. I think I see what you mean.

It also helps re-phrasing another persons words and asking for confirmation:

Are you saying that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ?
Correct me if I’m wrong. Are you saying that xxxxxxxx?

Your conversation partner may perhaps assume that your knowledge of English is lower than it actually is. In such a case use phrases like

You do not need to speak that slowly for my sake. I understand you perfectly well.
Encourage your partner. Use phrases like
I agree.
Itotally agree.
I see your point.
Please go on.
Yeah, that’s clear.
That sounds good!
Excellent!

Interject encouraging phrases. Show that you are there!

I see.
An excellent point.
Glad you asked that.
It's an interesting question!
I see your point, please go on.
That's very interesting.
Is that so?!
Isn't that something!?

Please also see "Active Listening" by E. Dubova and "Small Talk" somewhere here.

Updated Nov. 10, 2000

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