How to Think in English During Real Conversations (B1)

You know the English, but when someone is waiting for your answer, your mind goes blank? In this B1 English podcast, Emma and Ryan show you how to start your answer in English, keep it short, and repair the conversation when you don't understand. 👉 Listen, answer out loud when we pass you the mic, and tell us in the comments: "What's harder for you: starting your answer, finding the words, or understanding the other person?" CHAPTERS 0:00 Twelve seconds of silence 1:00 Part 1: The First Two Seconds 10:45 Part 2: Short Answer First 19:12 Part 3: Repair and Keep Going 27:43 Rewind: all the new words 29:17 Swap It: sound more natural 30:03 Your Mic: speaking practice 31:36 Goodbye NEW WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS • Hmm, let me see. — a natural way to get a few seconds to think before you answer • Give me a second. — a polite way to ask for a short moment to think or find something • How can I put it? — used when you are looking for the right way to explain something • Off the top of my head — without checking or thinking for a long time; a quick guess or opinion • I'd say — used to give an opinion or an estimate, without being one hundred percent sure • Basically — used to give the main idea in a short, simple way • The thing is — used to explain the real reason, or a problem, behind your answer • It's a long story, but — used when you give a short version of a bigger story • Sorry, what was that? — a friendly way to ask someone to repeat something you didn't hear or catch • Do you mean …? — used to check if your guess about the meaning is right • Anyway — used to go back to the main topic, or to move the conversation on • That reminds me of — used when one thing makes you think of something else, so the conversation keeps going • Let me think — used when you need a moment to think • What I mean is — used to explain your idea again, in a clearer way • What have you been up to? — what have you been doing recently (casual) Level: B1 (intermediate). Lower level? Follow the story, not every word. Higher level? Listen for the reactions and natural phrases. ☕ The English Table Podcast: real, everyday English conversations with Emma and Ryan. New episodes every week. Subscribe, and share this episode with a friend who's learning English! #EnglishPodcast #LearnEnglish #EnglishConversation #B1English Music: "Cheery Monday" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...