Just have fun and just play with the material. That is the best way to learn. You can:

  • Listen to the conversations.
  • Read the conversations.
  • Explore the tags.
  • Click the links.
  • Write comments in the comments section below each conversation.
  • Ask questions in the comments section below each conversation.
  • Join our mailing list to receive tips on learning English and links to interesting websites and services.

If you are a teacher and you have to lead your students into a teacher-directed activity with conversations from this site in your class, please download the sound file and copy and print the text and make a copy for each of your students.

After you do that, you can

1. Get the students to read it to each other.

2. Get the students to act it out.

3. Blank out words and get the students to listen and fill in the missing words.

4. Get the students to adapt the conversation to their own situation by changing names etc then get them to role-play it without the text.

5. Ask the students questions about the text after they have listened. If they do not know the answer, get them to listen again.

But first, please read the essay: Learning Languages by Mark White.

No Tags

64 Responses to “How to Use This Site”

  1. on 10 Jan 2007 at 6:14 pmEmanuel

    Hi all,

    I am very glad that I came across this website.
    I am using these dialogues with my students. Thank you.

    I am from Brazil and feel free to add me to your msn.

    Thank you again

  2. on 11 Jan 2007 at 12:38 pmUncle Irv

    Thanks Emanuel,

    Let us know how the dialogues work.
    What kind of students you have, high school?, adult?

    I am thinking of writing some more dialogues. maybe i can tailor them to your students’ needs?

    cheers Mark

  3. on 13 Feb 2007 at 11:29 ameunheepark

    I have two elemetary students.
    They are my son and daughter.
    I want to teach them listening and writing English
    Please help me how to teach. !!

  4. on 22 Feb 2007 at 11:50 amPradish

    Hi Buddy,

    Fine, To you?

    I don’t know what should I say about your topic.

    Anyway Its too amazing.

  5. on 23 Feb 2007 at 1:24 pmchandan

    hi,

    its really going to work……..

    thanks

  6. on 07 Mar 2007 at 8:43 amUncle Irv

    Hi Eunhee,

    How old are your children?
    How much English do they know? It is hard to teach only listening and writing. I usually teach listening, writing, reading and speaking together.

    Try this. You are Korean, right? Talk to your kids in Korean but introduce them to English words. First of all get “flash cards” “cards with all the letters A to Z on them ie 26 cards. Teach your kids to say and write and draw pictures of things that start with “A” eg ant, apple etc. then do “B” ie bed, big ..get them to write the word and draw a picture.

    Teach them simple questions. Do you like fish?, Yes, I do, No, I do not. Are you hungry? Yes, I am. No, I am not. Where is your bag? It is under the table. etc

    When they have grammar and basic sentences, you can tell them stories in Korean but add more and more English words to the story.

    Also on the internet research “cuisinere rods” and buy some. Read about how Caleb Gattegno uses rods to teach. It works. I have done it.

    I hope this helps
    cheers Mark

  7. on 14 Jun 2007 at 7:01 pmzilan

    hello everybody

  8. on 14 Jun 2007 at 7:01 pmzilan

    hello everybody, hello world

  9. on 04 Jul 2007 at 3:47 amjose melo

    the big challenge is to make that affective filter disappear in our classrooms full of students. Most of them certainly are bored, surely nobody is scared and very few might be under pressure. Aren’t our classes overcrowded to deal efficiently with that filter (25 to 30 students x five classes)?
    I think you are absolutely right! You have fantastic material and I’ll try to use it!

  10. on 04 Jul 2007 at 3:57 amapc33

    Thanks Jose. We would like to make the site more useful, so if you have any ideas on how to improve the material, please share.

  11. on 05 Jul 2007 at 4:13 amjose melo

    I believe your site is WordPress powered and I am a Snap fanatic! Snap can be used in so many ways e.g. explain a word/introduce someone! I would love to have your texts “Snapped”.

  12. on 05 Jul 2007 at 4:38 amapc33

    Hi Jose…great suggestion! I went ahead and installed the script and it is working just right. Cheers!

  13. on 23 Jul 2007 at 1:46 pmsridhar raju

    hello sir
    please help me

    how to download sound file and text file

    please help me sir

  14. on 02 Aug 2007 at 12:22 pmsaba

    hi
    i am sana i want to improve my english coversation please tell how can i improve my english speaking

    please

  15. on 27 Aug 2007 at 3:03 pmSergey

    Very good site, thank you?

  16. on 03 Oct 2007 at 8:44 ambuchary

    hi, i am buchary. i am interest with your opinion about how to learn english. can u help me how to download ? and please send me the news about learning english and toefl test.
    thank you for your anttention

  17. on 03 Oct 2007 at 3:02 pmMark White

    Hi Buchary.
    To download just click the link.
    We will put something about tests up at some point. It takes a long time to write it all.
    cheers mark

  18. on 03 Oct 2007 at 3:51 pmapc33

    Buchary…

    “Right click” the link that says “download audio file” and choose “save link as” from the menu. That will cause the mp3 file to download to your desktop.

    We’ll try send email you any news we have about learning English in the future. Just ask if you have more questions.

  19. on 05 Nov 2007 at 12:29 ameduardo hdez.

    I WANT TO MEET PEOPLE FOR TALKING

  20. on 13 Nov 2007 at 8:30 pmmoogi

    hello all, i hope to learn E speaking with native speakers without shy can u hellp me?

  21. on 22 Nov 2007 at 4:37 amkaash

    i am urdu speaking
    i want learn english

  22. on 27 Nov 2007 at 1:11 pmsya

    nice to know this web

  23. on 12 Jan 2008 at 10:34 pmPankaj

    Hi , I feel lucky ,,,,,,,,,I love to learn Languagessss…………

  24. on 12 Mar 2008 at 3:20 pmRathan

    i would like to inform you that i am indian origin now working saudi arabia as a secretary to my boss i am dealing with mainly telephone.

    i post graduate in commerse from bharathidasan university Thiruchirappalli, Tamil nadu in india

    i can undestant english and write letter like that but it is very difficult to speak the words automatically not come into mind when try to speak and another point is i am too much fearing to speak english i don’t know why i fear.

    i am in determind mind to speak english

    i kindly request you please help me

  25. on 13 Mar 2008 at 5:15 amapc33

    Hi Rathan…I think you are doing the right thing by putting your English to use when leaving comments on this blog. Using English is a great way to learn.

    If I were you, I’d continue trying to use English. Maybe you could keep a journal or blog? Or maybe you could create an audio blog at a social site like Odeo? Or perhaps you could try to make some friends there in Saudi Arabia with whom English is a common language?

    Just keep studying and practicing a little everyday and you will improve not only your English, but also your confidence.

    Aaron

  26. on 19 Mar 2008 at 10:29 amGRACIELA

    Hi. The site’s wonderful. I would like your help. I have a student who’s a lawyer and is planning to attend a seminar in English. The seminar is about companies, management, import export, things like that. Where can I get conversations with that topics

    Thanks

  27. on 19 Mar 2008 at 4:33 pmapc33

    Hi Graciela…If you cannot find what you are looking for in our tag archive or by doing a site search from the main page, then we probably don’t have the type of conversation you want.

    I’m not really sure where else to find such a thing. If you find some, please let us know.

  28. on 01 Apr 2008 at 4:53 amRıza

    Hi,

    I want to ask some question,

    I want to improve my english, but I dont know what my level is, some time I can understand a complex sentence but some time I cant, (maybe my level is lower intermediate)

    where should I start to study in this website , and how should I use it?.

    can you give me a schedule about it?,

    regards

  29. on 01 Apr 2008 at 6:22 pmGRACIELA

    Hi Riza. As per my experience with students, I think you are a typically intermediate students. What you need is a lot more listening, speaking and singing practice. I think you can get this in this site.

  30. on 01 Apr 2008 at 7:16 pmapc33

    Hi Riza….I don’t know about a schedule of study, but I can recommend that you start by listening to some of the audio files we have here on the site and try using the language you learn in a real context, for example, by writing comments, keeping a journal, or talking with people you know.

    If you join the mailing list (in the right-hand sidebar), we will be sending out messages soon on how to better study English using the internet.

  31. on 01 Apr 2008 at 7:31 pmRıza

    Hi, apc33 and GRACIELA,

    Thank you for your reply to my message, I have already joined the mailing list

    regards

  32. on 03 Apr 2008 at 7:56 pmGRACIELA

    I agree with apc33. As I told you before you must practice and this site will help you.

  33. on 04 Apr 2008 at 10:47 amtintin2601

    nice to see you all, i really like to make friends with you….^^

  34. on 21 Apr 2008 at 6:10 amOsvald

    Hi..

    I’m from Brazil, this site is very insteresting and creative. With real messages I can to known more dialogues between many people.

    thanks….

  35. on 26 Apr 2008 at 6:12 amAzul

    Hi! I’m from Argentina. I’m doing a course at University which deals with conversation analysis (in English) and find the contents of this site really useful. I would just like to know if they are actual pieces of real talk or if they are scripted in any way. The thing is we do not have the chance of hearing real conversations, only films, TV series or shows, which are imitating talk but are scripted. So, we really need real pieces of conversations in order to analyse everything else besides their actual content (hesitations, back-channelling, laughter, interruptions, unfinished sentences, etc) and not only what is said.
    Thank you very much for this!

  36. on 28 Apr 2008 at 4:14 amMehmet

    Hi everybody

  37. on 28 Apr 2008 at 1:30 pmapc33

    Hi Azul…

    None of the conversations in the Real Conversations category is scripted. All are natural conversations or mostly natural conversations. The reason I say ‘mostly’ is because sometimes when you turn on the recorder, a speaker might become a bit self conscious and alter the way he or she speaks, knowing that others might listen to it later. Nevertheless, there is no scripting or planning involved - just plain old speaking and conversation. The accompanying text was transcribed from the recorded conversation - not the other way around. This was our intention for recordings in the Real Conversations category.

    Thanks for taking an interest. Hope you find some useful recordings on our site.

    Cheers,

    Aaron

  38. on 04 May 2008 at 2:53 amFrinye

    Hi, I’m Frinye. I’m looking at this website for the first time since a message from A.J. Hoge suddenly appeared in my mailbox today. I read the messages above and liked the answers you gave to those who were asking for help. So here I am. I’m an English teacher in Brazil and I’m not feeling confident about my skills of teaching. I’d like you could send me tips of how improving learning practice in classrooms.
    Cheers.

  39. on 10 May 2008 at 3:18 amshahrazad

    iam from iraq this is the first time i know this web ounsly this websit have sent to me from effrotless who recomended me to visit this websit iam asking to how improve my english language & speaking like native speaker
    thank you

  40. on 19 May 2008 at 10:12 amAzul

    Thanks for the quick answer. These conversations are being really useful for me.
    I just want to thank you for your generosity in making them available for anyone interested.
    Cheers,
    Azul

  41. on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:17 pmjagdish

    this is very good sites and help us loy to improve our listening skill so we all r thankful that such a sites not help to improve english but topic and subjec of listening are incredible
    so thanks for all topics.

    i want to know is threre any sites help to improve speaking skill

    Thanking you

    jagdish

  42. on 22 Aug 2008 at 4:38 pmaslan

    HELLO! I WANT TO LEARN ENGLISH.CAN YOU HELP ME PLS?

  43. on 02 Oct 2008 at 9:48 ampaula

    this website is amazing
    i like it
    !!!!
    great job !!!

  44. on 24 Oct 2008 at 12:36 pmashwani

    its a wonderful site. i ilke this type of site……….

  45. on 27 Oct 2008 at 4:41 pmhanou

    Hello,

    I like English very much, and I hope that someday I can speak it fluently, but realy I don’t know how.
    Now, I’m using Rosetta Stone, It’s true that it gives me a lot of vocabulary, but it’s not enough, I need to use it and to make correct sentences. please help me

    thanks a lot for this site, it’s wonderfull

  46. http://damsiti.blogspot.com/2008/10/22222222.html/ Ïðîñòèòóòêè Èðêóòñêàÿ îáë.

  47. on 08 Nov 2008 at 9:06 pmBryan Roy

    I’ve been looking for a site like this to polish my english. Thank God i found it.

  48. on 22 Nov 2008 at 9:27 amsivavadivel

    hi

    it’s very usful to me and helpful

    sivavadivel

  49. on 22 Nov 2008 at 9:28 amsivavadivel

    please advice me how can i listening english

  50. on 01 Dec 2008 at 11:27 pmRamakanta Bhoi

    Hello Sir,
    I’m ramu, a graduate. I’ m from India.
    I’ve no fluency in English at all. I commit mistake whenever I speak English that makes me too much embarrass. I love to listen British English, but unfortunately can’t understand whenever I listen English on TV or English films. Is there any way that I can understand British English from news or English films? How do I improve my fluency in English? Please help.

  51. on 03 Dec 2008 at 6:31 amAaron

    Hi Ramakanta….thanks for your comments. In my opinion, improving fluency is a matter of consistent practice over time. The key to successfully improving fluency is simply not to be afraid or embarrassed to make mistakes. It requires an initial courage to overcome your fears and just jump into conversations with English speakers. Then it will get easier and easier each time you do it. Eventually your fears will diminish and you will become much more comfortable with speaking English. For me, what is important is communication, not accuracy. If you can successfully communicate your ideas, then you are well on your way to being an excellent English speaker.

    Good luck,

    Aaron

  52. on 04 Dec 2008 at 12:35 amRamu

    Hello sir,
    can you please give some usefull tips to understand British English? I can’t understand British accent .It’s urgent, please help…

  53. on 04 Dec 2008 at 8:04 amAaron

    Ramu, listen to some British accents on our site.

    Go to Ello and find British English accents.

    Visit the BBC Learning English page.

    Hope that helps.

  54. on 09 Dec 2008 at 6:30 pmelisabeth

    HELLO MARK, your site is very useful for me since it gives my students the chance to hear and work on everyday language. but what can we do to help our students to sound more natural in their own productions?

  55. on 20 Dec 2008 at 5:09 pmstofa

    hello all, in this room i want to learn english language, so how to methode for we can fluently in daily conversation. with english language. aby person can teach me how about to learn english for fluently….. thank

  56. on 03 Mar 2009 at 6:52 pmAlexwebmaster

    Hello webmaster
    I would like to share with you a link to your site
    write me here preonrelt@mail.ru

  57. on 16 Mar 2009 at 11:13 pmPSY

    I am thoughtful of you to build this website.

  58. on 29 Mar 2009 at 10:29 pmFaisal

    Hi everybody here. I am form Pakistan and a Cost & Management Accountant by profession. I am good at my skills but I have problem when I confront with english speaking. I do’nt find myself fluent enough to conversate. I am first time touching this website and appearantly its looks good to learn. However, please share ideas to improve english speaking and definitely I will also do.

    Thanks

    Faisal

  59. on 30 Mar 2009 at 2:39 amshahrazad

    hello every body it is nice to see & read these coments it is true , make me improve my english langauge by writting and speaking iam always read these coments to be in contact with other people

    sincerly shosh

  60. on 22 Apr 2009 at 7:20 pmMurugan

    Hi Friends I am murugan from qatar but my nationality india from tamilnadu so dialy i can tried to speak in english and another people told that all simple words i get in understand but big words i don’t understand why? i don’t know ,i need speak to english and i hoped myself.
    pls help me and send the my e-mail id.

  61. on 13 May 2009 at 3:01 pmTanwij

    Hi all,

    nice to meet you in this website,..
    I hope I can learn english better and being expert.

    hope your encourage for me please,..

    thx

    Tanwij

  62. on 17 Jun 2009 at 1:53 ambrahim10

    holo

  63. on 17 Jun 2009 at 1:57 ambrahim

    it is a good site web with allow us to learn englich and how to speak toghather….

  64. on 03 Jul 2009 at 8:51 pmadrina

    I think ,this ewbsite is very interesting .I need espeak english fast .

Leave a Reply