FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH

Functional English is usage of the English language required to perform a specific

function. This is typically taught as a foundation subject as a good command of
English is often required for academic study and career progression. In some cases, a
particular form of technical English may be required for a particular vocation such
as aviation. Such specialized usage is known and taught as English for Specific
Purposes (ESP).

(a)English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a sphere of teaching English language including
technical English, scientific English, English for medical professionals, English for waiters,
and English for tourism. Aviation English as ESP is taught to pilots, air traffic
controllers and civil aviation cadets who are going to use it in radio communications ESP can
be also considered as an avatar of language for specific purposes.

(b) How to start a conversation with a stranger : Every conversation runs its course within a
similar outline: making first contact, introductions, speaking with each other, and then ending the
conversation - hopefully with plans to meet again. To navigate these sometimes scary but usually
rewarding waters, read on.

ICE BREAKERS AS CONVERSATION STARTERS:

Some conversation starter ideas to get the words flowing:
1 Comment on an item that you both share in your immediate surroundings, such as the long
lineup you’re both waiting in or the wobbly chair next to you. By focusing an item you can
both experience, you’re removing any potential awkwardness with a canned comment.

2 Sometimes a look is all that’s needed to break the ice. When faced with a person you find
attractive, why not give them a genuine, 3 second smile? You may be surprised when the
object of your happiness starts a conversation with you, instead.

3 If there is something the person is or has that truly intrigues you, simply use that as a
conversation starter. This could be as simple as admiring a piece of clothing or asking them
about the item they ordered.

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4 A genuine hello coupled with a smile can be equally as effective. A quick, “How are you
today?” works too for a straightforward follow up.

CONVERATION TOPICS:

Current event topics of interest to you;

The last movie you watched;

A comment about the event you’re attending, with a follow-up question asking how they
heard about it.

KEEPS THE CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD

Keep whatever stories or experiences you are sharing to less than a two minute retelling. You can
always expand more if the person asks;

Turn the conversation back to the other person where you can, such as, “What do you think?” or,
“How about you?”;

Try to let your conversation partner do half of the talking, with a natural blend of questions and
answers;

Don’t focus on one topic for too long, and if your talk gravitates to another subject - let it.

ENDING A CONVERSATION GRACEFULLY:

Every fantastic conversation must eventually finish, after you’ve exchanged contact
information, smile and go off to do whatever it is that you’ve moved on to. Make sure to look
back just as you are leaving to smile again, acknowledging your newfound acquaintance and
allowing them to feel just as special as you do for having met someone new.

USING THE RIGHT BODY LANAUGE: Body language is a way to communicate without
putting yourself at risk of saying something wrong. You probably already use body language,
but do not even notice it. The following list shows the main points of body language that you
should be aware of whenever you wonder how to start a conversation.

1. Eye use:

People say that they can learn all about a person through their eyes. It is probably the most
used part of the body to communicate next to the mouth.

Your eyes can say many things, from rolling them to winking, you can display many
messages with just your eyes. Sometimes you may unaware of what your eyes are saying.

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Be careful to not let your eyes say you are bored or not interested in a conversation. You
should maintain good eye contact to let others know you are listening.

2. Body moves:

Everyone has said hello with a wave of the hand or shown a lack of patience with a tap of the
foot or nodded in agreement.

Your hands, arms, feet and head can speak for in many cases. Crossing the arms, tapping the
foot rapidly or putting your hands on your hips can all say things that might not be too good.

On the other hand, clapping, tapping your foot to music or extending a hand shake can say
great things. Always be aware of what your body is saying.

3. Facial expressions:

Smiling can say more than words sometimes. You should be aware of your facial expressions
at all times. You may frown and be unaware of it.

Facial expressions can often be misinterpreted. A serious look of concentration may be seen
as disapproval. Just make sure you are using the rest of your body to speak as well and your
facial expressions should come across clearly.

Your eyes, body and face can carry on a whole conversation for you. You can speak volumes
with a simple movement. You can use body language to convey a message you may not
otherwise want to vocalize.

Knowing how to end or start a conversation with body language can come in handy if you do
not have time to carry on a conversation, but would like to acknowledge someone.

Body language can also share a feeling with someone so only the two of you know. Make sure
your body language is saying what you want it to.

Here are some phrases and expressions for requesting in English.

 (Simple imperative verb): - Help me.*
 Please + verb (more polite) - Please help me.
 Can you . . . ? - Can you help me?
 Will you . . . ? - Will you help me?
 Could you (please) . . . ? - Could you help me?
 Would you (please). . . ? - Would you please help me?
 Would you mind (V+ing) . . . ? - Would you mind helping me?
 Could you possibly . . . ? - Could you possibly help me out here?

 (very polite) Would you be so kind as to . . . ? - Would you be so kind as to help me (with this)?

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Requesting
Informal
Please . . .
Would you . . .
Could you . . .
Would you please . . . .
Could you possibly . . .
Would you mind (V+ing) . . .
Could you do me a favor?

Formal
Could I ask you to . . .
Would you mind if I asked you to . . .
Would you be so kind as to . . .
Conversation practice
1. Ask simple questions to guess your partner's favorite celebrity (famous person).
For example,
Is he/she from the United States?
Yes, he is.
Is he a movie star?
No, he isn't.
Does he/she play sports?
Yes, he does.
Does he play soccer?
No, he doesn't.
Is he a basketball player?
Yes, he is.
Michael Jordan?
Yes.
2. Ask yes/no questions to guess what a classmate is thinking.
For example,
I'm thinking of an object in the room.
Is it in the back of the room?
No, it isn't.
Is it very small?
No, it isn't.
Does the teacher use it every day?
Yes, she does.
Can you write on it?
Yes, you can.
Is it the blackboard?
Yes, it is.

Speaking Situations: Introducing Others

Conversation Practice
These types of introductions involve three people:

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A: The introducer (who knows both B and C)
B: Introducee (knows A but not C)
C: Introducee (knows A but not B)
Example,
A: Have you two met each other?
B: No, we haven't.
A: Ben, this is Carol. Carol this is Ben.
(B and C smile and shake hands.)
B: Nice to meet you Carol.
C: Nice to meet you too, Ben.
Follow-up:
After you have been introduced to someone,
it is polite to ask a few general questions* to get acquainted.
For example,
B: Where are you from, Carol?
C: I'm from Connecticut.

B: Connecticut, which part?

C: Hartford, the capital. How about you, Ben?
B: Nebraska--a place called Bellevue. It's near Omaha.
C: How do you know Alan (A)?
B: He is my friend from college.
Practice introducing your friends to each other.
Remember to smile (and use handshakes where appropriate).
*When meeting someone for the first time,
it is not appropriate to ask certain types of questions.
Do NOT ask:
A person's age
Birth date
Salary
Weight
Marital status
You may ask general questions about the situation.
How do you know Alan (the person who introduced us)?
Are you a student at this university?
Is this your first time here?
What do you do for a living?
How long have you been working for (company)?

General greetings (Formal)

1. Hello!
2. How are you?
3. How are you doing?
4. How is everything?
5. How’s everything going?
6. How have you been keeping?
7. I trust that everything is well.

General greetings (Informal)

1. Hi.
2. What’s up?

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 3. Good to see you.
4. How are things (with you)?
5. How’s it going?
6. How’s life been treating you?

Greeting a person you haven’t seen for a long time (Formal)

1. It has been a long time.

2. It’s been too long.
3. What have you been up to all these years?
4. It’s always a pleasure to see you.
5. How long has it been?
6. I’m so happy to see you again.

Greeting a person you haven’t seen for a long time (Informal)

• How come I never see you?

• It’s been such a long time.
• Long time no see.
• Where have you been hiding?
• It’s been ages since we last met.

Telephone English - Important Phrases

Introducing yourself
This is Ken.
Ken speaking

Asking who is on the telephone

Excuse me, who is this?
Can I ask who is calling, please?

Asking for Someone

Can I have extension 321? (extensions are internal numbers at a company)
Could I speak to...? (Can I - more informal / May I - more formal)
Is Jack in? (informal idiom meaning: Is Jack in the office?

Connecting Someone
I'll put you through (put through - phrasal verb meaning 'connect')
Can you hold the line? Can you hold on a moment?

How to reply when someone is not available

I'm afraid ... is not available at the moment
The line is busy... (when the extension requested is being used)
Mr Jackson isn't in... Mr Jackson is out at the moment...

Taking a Message
Could (Can, May) I take a message?
Could (Can, May) I tell him who is calling?
Would you like to leave a message?

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