Episode 224
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Hi, I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.
Okay, let’s start!
When we learn a new language, we are eager to practice speaking with another person. But what happens when the conversation is difficult for some reason? Maybe it's hard to keep up or follow what they tell us.
Or if you are in a conversation with people who speak very fast, and you can't hear those words at all, or you don't recognize them, you feel uncomfortable.
Although you may be embarrassed to interrupt in these situations, you can politely say that you don't understand what they have said.
So today, I will show you some expressions you can use confidently in situations where it isn't easy to follow a conversation.
Let's get started!
#1. Asking for clarification:
Sorry, I'm afraid I don't follow (you.)
By using this expression, you are suggesting that you must have it re-explained or explained differently.
Examples:
"Sorry, I don't follow (you)—what exactly do you want me to do next?"
"Do you understand? No, I'm afraid I don't follow."
Here are some more phrases to ask for clarification:
"I'm not entirely sure what you mean; could you explain it again? Or…"
"Could you please say that a little slower?"
"Sorry! That went straight over my head. Could you explain it differently?"
#2. When someone asks for your opinion:
If someone asks for your opinion on a topic for which you feel unprepared, you can use the following phrases:
"It's hard to express my ideas about this topic in English, but I'll try my best.
"It's really fascinating listening to you talk, but to be honest, I don't know much about this topic."
#3. How to end the conversation:
This is a little beyond me.
By using this expression, you are ending the conversation. You are not asking for clarification; you are saying that the conversation is too difficult for you.
Examples:
"I'm sure it's fascinating what you're saying, but I have to admit that it's beyond me."
I hope you are enjoying yourself.
These expressions can be very useful when we find ourselves in difficult situations and have to ask for clarification.
Now, let’s practice.
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GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story in two different points of view and notice how the grammar changes naturally.
Tony's Point of View - Past Tense
Hi, I'm Tony, and I want to improve my English by using more advanced expressions. So last week, I listened to the latest Speak English Now podcast episode and wrote down 6 of my favorite expressions in a notebook.
The problem is that I didn't listen to the episode enough to learn how to use the expressions in context.
And since I'm not willing to listen to the same episode again, I decided I am ready to use them in conversation.
Yes. I have not mastered the expressions, but I came up with a cool idea. I numbered the expressions and rolled the die in the middle of the conversation. I used the expression depending on the number on the die.
As you imagine, this created all kinds of funny situations.
And since I wanted to practice, I went to an English-speaking restaurant for lunch yesterday. When I walked in, the receptionist said hi, and after rolling the die, I replied: "It's fascinating listening to you talk, but to be honest, I don't know much about this topic."
Next, when the waiter asked me to follow him, I took the opportunity to roll the die again and replied to the waiter, "I'm sorry, I don't follow you."
Later I ordered some coffee, and when the waiter asked if I wanted sugar in my coffee, I rolled the dice again and answered: "It's quite hard to express my ideas about this topic in English, but I'll try my best."
People at the restaurant didn't know what to think of me. Some thought I was a madman. If you asked the waiter’s opinion, he would probably say, "It's beyond me."
Future Tense
Two years from now, Tony will be an English learner who will want to use new English expressions. After listening to the latest episode of the Speak English Now podcast, he will write down 6 of his favorite expressions in a notebook.
The problem is that Tony won't listen to the episodes enough to learn how to use them in context.
Since he won't listen to the same episode again, he'll decide that he's ready to use them in conversation. And even though he won't master the expressions, Tony will come up with an idea. A crazy idea. He will number the expressions and roll a die in the middle of the conversation. In this way, Tony will use the expression that the die indicates.
As you can imagine, this will create all kinds of funny situations.
Since he is going to want to practice, he will have lunch at an English-speaking restaurant. When he enters, the receptionist will greet him, and after rolling the die, Tony will respond: "It's fascinating listening to you talk, but to be honest, I don't know much about this topic."
Next, when the waiter asks to follow him, Tony will take the opportunity to roll the die again and reply to the waiter, "I'm sorry, I don't follow you."
Later, Tony will order some coffee, and when the waiter asks if he wants sugar in his coffee, Tony will roll the die again and reply, "It's quite hard to express my ideas about this topic in English, but I will try my best."
The people at the restaurant won't know what to think of Tony. Some will think he is a madman. If you ask my opinion, I'll say, "It's beyond me."
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
clarification
an explanation that makes something easier to understand.
keep up
understand or move at the same speed as others.
interrupt politely
stop a speaker respectfully to ask for help.
I don’t follow you
a polite way to say you do not understand.
Could you repeat that?
a request for someone to say something again.
beyond me
too difficult or strange for someone to understand.
roll a die
throw a numbered cube to obtain a random result.
context
the situation and surrounding words that explain meaning.
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