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Ending Conversations Naturally & Warmly
Lesson Topic–“I Should Let You Go”: Ending conversations naturally & warmly; recognizing & using closing signals, giving a reason when appropriate, responding to the other person’s closing language, & leaving the door open for future conversation.
September 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT
Meeting Room #2
Door Codes:
9:15 – 10:45: 860356
10:45 – 12:45: 357239
Listening for Conversation-End Cues
You will hear two versions of the same conversation. As you listen, think about the people, the conversation, and what happens when one person tries to end it.
As You Listen
- Who is talking to whom?
- How do they know each other?
- What are they talking about?
- Who attempts to end the conversation?
- How does she or he signal that the conversation is ending?
- How does the other person respond?
- Which version helps the conversation come to a natural end, A or B?
- What makes the difference?
Conversation 1
Maya & Daniel
Maya and Daniel are friends from ESL class.
Show Transcript
Maya: Hey, Daniel. How’s it going?
Daniel: Pretty good. How about you?
Maya: Good. Did you end up going hiking this weekend?
Daniel: Yeah, we did. We went up to this trail near the lake. It was beautiful, but it was way more crowded than I expected.
Maya: Oh, really? Was it hard to find a place to park?
Daniel: At first, yeah. We almost gave up. But then somebody was leaving, so we got lucky.
Maya: Nice. Was the hike itself worth it?
Daniel: Definitely. Once we got away from the parking area, it was actually pretty peaceful. Have you ever been up there?
Maya: Not to that trail. I’ve been wanting to, though. I usually go walking closer to home because I never want to spend half the day driving somewhere.
Daniel: I know what you mean. That’s usually what stops me, too.
Maya: Well, I should probably get inside. I want to grab some coffee before class starts. I really don’t want to miss Angela’s English in the Wild discussion.
Daniel: Oh, before you go—have you tried that new coffee place over on Main Street?
Maya: Um, uh . . . no, not yet.
Daniel: We went there Saturday. It was really good. They have this—
[Audio stops.]
Show Transcript
Maya: Hey, Daniel. How’s it going?
Daniel: Pretty good. How about you?
Maya: Good. Did you end up going hiking this weekend?
Daniel: Yeah, we did. We went up to this trail near the lake. It was beautiful, but it was way more crowded than I expected.
Maya: Oh, really? Was it hard to find a place to park?
Daniel: At first, yeah. We almost gave up. But then somebody was leaving, so we got lucky.
Maya: Nice. Was the hike itself worth it?
Daniel: Definitely. Once we got away from the parking area, it was actually pretty peaceful. Have you ever been up there?
Maya: Not to that trail. I’ve been wanting to, though. I usually go walking closer to home because I never want to spend half the day driving somewhere.
Daniel: I know what you mean. That’s usually what stops me, too.
Maya: Well, I should probably get inside. I want to grab some coffee before class starts. I really don’t want to miss Angela’s English in the Wild discussion.
Daniel: Oh, sure. It was good talking to you.
Maya: You too. See you in there.
Daniel: See you.
Conversation 2
Nina & Sophia
Sophia is new to ESL360. She and Nina are meeting for the first time.
Show Transcript
Nina: Hi. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Nina.
Sophia: Hi, I’m Sophia. It’s nice to meet you.
Nina: Nice to meet you, too. Is this your first time here?
Sophia: Yes, it is. Today is my first class.
Nina: Oh, welcome! How did you hear about ESL360?
Sophia: A friend told me about it. She used to come here and really liked the class.
Nina: Oh, really? Was she here recently?
Sophia: No, I think it was a few years ago.
Nina: Ah, okay. I’ve been coming for several years, but there are always new people.
Sophia: Oh, wow. So you must know everyone!
Nina: Not everyone! But I do know quite a few people.
Sophia: That’s good. I was a little nervous about coming today because I didn’t know anyone.
Nina: Oh, I understand. I remember feeling that way when I first came. I actually came because a friend recommended it to me, too.
Sophia: Oh, that’s funny. So we both ended up here because of friends.
Nina: We did! And now I’m the one telling other people about it.
Sophia: That’s a good sign!
Nina: I guess it is.
Sophia: Well, I’d better go find a seat before class starts.
Nina: Of course. It was really nice meeting you, Sophia.
Sophia: You too. Thanks for making me feel welcome.
Nina: Anytime. I’ll see you in class.
Sophia: See you!
Show Transcript
Nina: Hi. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Nina.
Sophia: Hi, I’m Sophia. It’s nice to meet you.
Nina: Nice to meet you, too. Is this your first time here?
Sophia: Yes, it is. Today is my first class.
Nina: Oh, welcome! How did you hear about ESL360?
Sophia: A friend told me about it. She used to come here and really liked the class.
Nina: Oh, really? Was she here recently?
Sophia: No, I think it was a few years ago.
Nina: Ah, okay. I’ve been coming for several years, but there are always new people.
Sophia: Oh, wow. So you must know everyone!
Nina: Not everyone! But I do know quite a few people.
Sophia: That’s good. I was a little nervous about coming today because I didn’t know anyone.
Nina: Oh, I understand. I remember feeling that way when I first came. I actually came because a friend recommended it to me, too.
Sophia: Oh, that’s funny. So we both ended up here because of friends.
Nina: We did! And now I’m the one telling other people about it.
Sophia: That’s a good sign!
Nina: I guess it is.
Sophia: Well, I’d better go find a seat before class starts.
Nina: Oh, sure. Hey, before you do, I love your coat, and I was wondering where you got it.
Sophia: Oh . . . um . . . from Nordstrom, I think.
Nina: Wow! Nordstrom. I haven’t been there in ages. I remember going there before COVID and buying some sandals, but they gave me blisters, so I hardly ever wear them . . .
[Audio stops.]
Conversation 3
Elena & Marcus
Elena and Marcus are old friends who run into each other at the grocery store.
Show Transcript
Marcus: Hey, Elena! I haven’t seen you in forever. How’ve you been?
Elena: I know! I’ve been good. Busy, but good. How about you?
Marcus: Same. Work has been kind of crazy lately. What’s been keeping you busy?
Elena: Mostly my family. My sister and her kids came to visit for a couple of weeks.
Marcus: Oh, nice! How old are her kids now?
Elena: Eight and eleven. And they have a lot of energy.
Marcus: I bet. Did you guys do anything fun while they were here?
Elena: We did. We went to the zoo, we went swimming, and we took them downtown one day. I think I need a vacation now.
Marcus: I can imagine! Did they have a favorite?
Elena: Definitely the zoo. My nephew is obsessed with elephants, so we spent forever watching them.
Marcus: That sounds like fun, though.
Elena: It was. I loved having them here. The house seems really quiet now that they’re gone.
Marcus: I know that feeling. It’s nice to get back to normal, but then you kind of miss the chaos.
Elena: Exactly! Hey, I hate to run, but I have a dentist appointment in about twenty minutes.
Marcus: Oh, yeah, you’d better get going. Hey, give me your phone for a second. I want to show you this picture of my niece. You won’t believe how much she’s grown.
Elena: Oh . . . okay.
Marcus: Hang on. I know it’s in here somewhere . . .
[Audio stops.]
Show Transcript
Marcus: Hey, Elena! I haven’t seen you in forever. How’ve you been?
Elena: I know! I’ve been good. Busy, but good. How about you?
Marcus: Same. Work has been kind of crazy lately. What’s been keeping you busy?
Elena: Mostly my family. My sister and her kids came to visit for a couple of weeks.
Marcus: Oh, nice! How old are her kids now?
Elena: Eight and eleven. And they have a lot of energy.
Marcus: I bet. Did you guys do anything fun while they were here?
Elena: We did. We went to the zoo, we went swimming, and we took them downtown one day. I think I need a vacation now.
Marcus: I can imagine! Did they have a favorite?
Elena: Definitely the zoo. My nephew is obsessed with elephants, so we spent forever watching them.
Marcus: That sounds like fun, though.
Elena: It was. I loved having them here. The house seems really quiet now that they’re gone.
Marcus: I know that feeling. It’s nice to get back to normal, but then you kind of miss the chaos.
Elena: Exactly! Hey, I hate to run, but I have a dentist appointment in about twenty minutes.
Marcus: Oh, yeah, you’d better get going. It was great catching up.
Elena: You too. Let’s not wait so long next time.
Marcus: Definitely. Talk to you soon.
Elena: See you!
Take-Away
Good conversational listening means knowing when to keep a conversation going—and when to help it end.
When someone signals that a conversation is ending, recognize the signal and change what you do next. Instead of asking another question or starting a new topic, help the conversation come to a natural, warm end.