CONVERSATIONS:

Our 3 Top Tips

"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.” ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH 

In Grades 1 - 5 you have a conversation with the examiner on a subject of your, or their, choosing. They're expecting you to ask questions to further the conversation, demonstrate knowledge of the subject and give your focus to the topic and examiner. 

Having a chat can seem really easy with your pals... but how do you do it with AN EXAMINER?! Relax, we've got your back. Here are our 3 top tips!

TOP TIP 1
Avoid 'Yes' and 'No' 

That means avoiding giving flat responses like YES and NO to questions - when you answer YES or NO you're effectively shutting down the conversation. It also means avoiding simple responses like 'I like blue' or 'My favourite play is Hamlet' or 'I live in Hull'.

Here's a trick to avoid giving simple (boring!) answers. Build on your answer using one of the these three sentence extenders...

1. Yes, because.... 

2. No. It reminds me of...

3. Yes. I wish that...

Avoiding YES and NO also means avoiding asking questions that require a YES or NO answer! So, instead of asking “Do you like going to the theatre?” try asking something more open ended like “What do you like about going to the theatre?”. 

TOP TIP 2
H.A.P. (Highlight, Add, Pass)

Great conversationalists don't always wait to be asked a question, they are inspired by their conversation partner and offer something related to further the conversation. We like to use HAP.

H 

Start by highlighting something your partner has said which has inspired a response from you and explain why it has resonated with you!

"It's interesting you should mention cats being nocturnal because my two kittens spend all evening running about the house causing havoc and all day fast asleep!"

A 

Then add to the conversation by sharing an anecdote or personal opinion based on what you've  highlighted.

"It makes me realise how cats, unlike dogs, aren't really domesticated; I often think that if you were to abandon a pet cat it would probably do a pretty good job of fending for itself!"

P 

Finally, you pass the conversation back to your partner by asking them an (open ended!) question that is related to your 'add'.

"What do you think about domesticating wild animals?"

TOP TIP 3
Be confident!

When you’re chatting to your friends you very rarely say: Uuuum, or, go silent for long periods of time, that’s because you’re not worried about getting it wrong. That’s because, in a conversation, you CAN’T get it wrong!

(...okay, maybe if you’re discussing ballet and suddenly start talking about exhaust pipes you’ve kind of got it wrong…)

But, as long as you’re not veering off topic you can say whatever you want! So, be confident that the examiner WANTS to hear what you think. They really do! So. be confident that what you’ve got to say is more than just OKAY it’s INTERESTING!

Then, watch how those pesky Ummms and Ahhhhs just disappear.

USEFUL LINKS:

TO READ...

10 TIPS FOR CONVERSATION (Psychology Today) 

TO WATCH...

FORD METHOD FOR DEEPER CONVERSATION

TED TALK: Have Better Conversation