Unit 3
First Contact
Social English 1
1. listening When you meet someone for the first time and start up a
conversation, it is important to find points of common interest so that the
conversation can run smoothly. Listen to the five dialogues on the tape.
Decide if you think they are successful (Y) or not (N) in making initial contact.
Dialogue 1 ( )
Dialogue 2 ( )
Dialogue 3 ( )
Dialogue 4 ( )
Dialogue 5 ( )
Now listen again and note down the answers to these questions.
Dialogue 1: Has the visitor been to Japan before?
Dialogue 2: Which hotel is the visitor staying in?
Dialogue 3: What to// interest do they find?
Dialogue 4: What to// interest do they find?
Dialogue 5: What to// interest do they find?
Listening task
Dialogue 1
A: Is this your first trip to Japan?
B: Yes, it is.
A: Do you like it here?
B: yes, it seems interesting.
A: Would you like another drink?
B: Thank you.
Dialogue 2
A: How was your trip?
B: Fine, thanks.
A: How do you find Tokyo?
B: Very interesting.
A: Which hotel are you staying in?
B: The Sheraton.
Dialogue 3
A: Is this your first trip to Japan?
B: Yes, but hopefully not my last.
A: I'm pleased to hear that. Have you found time to see much?
B: Well, I visited the gardens.
A: Oh, are you interested in gardens?
B: Actually, yes, it's my hobby.
A: Mine too…
Dialogue 4
A: Are you staying long?
B: No, unfortunately only a couple of weeks.
A: Business or pleasure?
B: Business, I'm afraid. My company is setting up an office here in Tokyo.
A: Really? Where is your company based?
B: In Detroit, sort of north mid-west of the States.
A: Yes, I know it. I visited it two years ago.
B: Ah, really?…
Dialogue 5
A: I believe you're in fashion.
B: Yes that's right- on the design side.
A: That's a coincidence. My wife's a fashion designer.
B: Oh, I'd like to meet her.
A: You must come round to dinner one evening.
B: That would be nice.
A: Good, I'll fix it up later this week.
2. Presentation Successful conversation depends on finding a topic both people
can easily talk about. One-way of reaching this point is to follow a number of
steps until a to// interest is found. A typical sequence might be:
1. opening question
2. immediate answer
3. follow-up question
4. immediate answer + additional comment
5. next question or comment on to// interest
6. Answer or further comment on to// interest
Now look more closely at the typical sequence of conversation.
2.1 Opening question
Is this your first trip to________________?
How was your trip?
2.2 Immediate answer
Yes, it is.
Fine, thanks.
2.3 Follow-up question
Are you staying long?
Business or pleasure?
2.4 Immediate answer
No.
Business.
Note: These answers are not helpful in finding a common interest. You need to
make an additional comment.
2.5 Additional comment
But hopefully not my last.
Unfortunately only a couple of weeks.
Business, I'm afraid. My company is setting up an office here in Tokyo.
2.6 Next question
Have you found time to see much?
Really? Where is your company based?
2.7 Establishing to// interest
Are you interested in gardens?
Oh, I visited Detroit a couple of years ago.
That's a coincidence. My wife is in fashion, too.
3. Controlled practice
The following four dialogues are in the wrong order. Rearrange them to make a
natural flow of conversation.
Dialogue 1
( ) Really? What did you expect?
( ) No, I've been to the States before, but this is the first time in Atlanta.
( ) So, what do you think of Atlanta?
( ) Fine, I'll see what I can arrange.
