Lesson 16: Sustain and repair conversation

Use grammar and vocabulary flexibly while protecting shared meaning.

~55 MINUTES · INTERACTION

Build turns, not isolated answers

answer   Yes, I changed the schedule.
add      The old one caused delays whenever priorities shifted.
pass     How does your team handle urgent work?

Add with reason, example, consequence, contrast, condition, or short narrative. This recycles clause grammar instead of hiding behind memorised conversation phrases.

Repair protects meaning

clarify: “Do you mean the deadline or the release date?”

paraphrase: “Let me put that another way.”

define: “It is a tool that tracks customer requests.”

confirm: “So Tuesday is the final date, right?”

self-correct: “It happened on Thursday - sorry, Wednesday.”

Use holding language honestly

Let me think for a moment. buys planning time. I am not sure of the word, but… opens paraphrase. Fillers should support a real next move, not replace content.

Controlled practice

Extend five yes/no answers with reasons.
Extend five opinions with examples.
Ask five follow-up questions tied to previous detail.
Clarify an ambiguous date.
Paraphrase a missing noun.
Define a technical term without using it.
Correct one wrong tense without restarting turn.
Close a work conversation with decision and action.

Check principles

Successful turns answer, contribute new material, and create a relevant opening. Successful repair restores shared meaning with smallest useful intervention. Grammar need not be perfect; unresolved misunderstanding must not remain.

Shortcut that works

When stuck, choose one extension question: Why? Example? Result? Contrast? Condition? This retrieves grammar and keeps turn moving.

Production lab

Retrieval practice

Your win: one eight-minute conversation using 5 target forms, 8 target phrases, and at least 2 successful repairs.

Primary source

Use British Council B2 speaking models, then replace their topic with a personally relevant one.

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