Module for
Everyday Conversation
Targeted for the Students of Taqdis Nurul Huda Junior High school Kajen, Margoyoso, Pati.
(Dialogues was taken and localized from Everyday Conversation: Learning American English. Office of English Language Program Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs United States, Department of State)
Chapter 1
Introductions and Small Talk
Dialogue 1-1: Formal Greetings
Joko : Good morning, Ustadz Ahmad, how are you doing?
Ustdaz Ahmad : Good morning Joko. I am doing well, And you?
Joko : I am great, thak you. This is my sister Emma. She is thinking about applying to this school. She has some questions. Can you please explain the process?
Ustadz Ahmad : Hello, Emma! It's nice to meet you. I'm happy to help. Let's set up a time to talk more. Maybe after the Dzuhur prayer?
Emma : Nice to meet you too, and thank you so much for your help.
Ustadz Ahmad : Don’t mention it. I’ll do my best to answer your questions.
LANGUAGE NOTES
The greetings good morning/good afternoon/good evening are used at different times of the day to greet people. “Good evening” is often used after 6 p.m. or generally when the sun has set.
“Good night” is not a greeting: It is used when leaving a place or group of people. Thank you and good night!/Good night, and see you tomorrow.
When people meet in the United States, it is customary for them to shake hands.
A handshake should be firm and usually lasts for about two to three seconds — which allows enough time to say “Nice to meet you.”
“Don’t mention it” is another way of saying “You’re welcome.” The phrase
“You are welcome” is more formal. However, responses such as Don’t mention it./No problem./ Happy to help are informal ways of responding to a thank you.
Dialogue 1-2: Informal Greetings and Farewells
Maya : Hi, Rina! How’s it going?
Rina : Fine, thanks - and you?
Maya : I'm doing well. Where are you off to?
Rina : To the library. I have a history exam next week and need to start studying.
Ugh.
Maya : Oh, no. Well, I'll see you later then. Good luck!
Rina : Thanks. See you later.
Language notes:
"Hi" is an informal way of saying "hello." Notice that the "i" sound in "hi" is extended to show that Maya is very pleased to see Rina.
"How's it going?" is an informal way of saying "How are you?"
"Fine, thanks—and you?" Notice the rising intonation on "and you?" This shows that Helen is interested in what Jane has to say.
"Where are you off to?" is an informal way of saying "Where are you going?"
Notice the falling intonation since this is an information question, not a "yes/no"
question.
"To the library." Notice that Helen does not say "I'm going" here because that information was already established in the question "Where are you off to?"
"Oh, no" is a way of saying "I sympathize with you" or "I understand you are not happy."
"See you later" is an informal way of saying "goodbye."
Dialogue 1-3: Formal Introduction
SARA : Assalamu'alaikum, Mr. Wijaya. I'd like you to meet Dr. Irfan Ali.
MR. WIJAYA : Wa'alaikumussalam, Sara. Nice to meet you, Dr. Irfan.
DR. IRFAN : Nice to meet you too.
SARA : Dr. Irfan is an economist. He just finished writing a book about trade between countries.
MR. WIJAYA : Oh, really? That's my area of expertise too. I work for an international organization.
DR. IRFAN : In the Development Program, perhaps?
MR. WIJAYA : Yes, exactly. How did you know?
DR. IRFAN : I've read your articles about helping countries. They're great!
Language Notes:
"Mr. Wijaya, I'd like you to meet..." Notice the rising intonation on "Mr. Wijaya,"
which is used to address someone respectfully.
"Dr. Irfan is an economist." Emphasize the word "economist" to highlight the new information. It has four syllables, with the stress on the second syllable (i- CON-o-mist).
"He just finished writing..." Use "just" to indicate something happened in the very recent past. "Just" is usually used with a simple past verb because the action is complete. However, it can also be used with the present perfect ("He's just finished writing...").
"Development Program." The compound noun "Development Program" places the main stress on "development."
"Perhaps" or "by any chance?" These phrases mean the same as "possibly." Note the rising intonation, which is used in yes/no questions to confirm something.
Dialogue 1-4: Informal Introductions
ALI : Hey, who's the tall guy next to Adam?
AHMAD : Oh, that's his friend Zaid. Haven't you met him before? He was at the school gathering, remember?
ALI : No, I didn't attend the school gathering.
AHMAD : Oh! Let me introduce you to him now. Zaid, this is my friend Ali.
ZAID : Hi, Ali. Nice to meet you.
ALI : Nice to meet you too. Would you like something to eat?
ZAID : Sure, let's go get one.
Language Notes:
"Who's" is the contracted form of "who is." It sounds the same as "whose"
(/huwz/), but the meaning is different.
"Haven't you met him before?" This is a negative question. Ahmad assumed that Ali had already met Zaid. He expresses surprise upon realizing that Ali doesn't know him.
"I didn't attend the school gathering." Note the emphasis on "attend." in this case,
"attend" means "go to" (I didn't go to the school gathering).
"Zaid, this is my friend Ali." This is a friendly way to introduce two people. It's common to follow this with "Ali, this is Zaid." In this case, Zaid says "Hi, Ali"
first.
"Nice to meet you." This is a typical response after being introduced to someone.
"Sure" is often used in informal conversation to mean "yes."
Dialogue 1.5: What Time Is It?
AULIA : What time is it? We're going to be late!
ADNAN : It's a quarter past nine. We're on time. Don't worry.
AULIA : But I thought we had to be at the school for the reunion by 9:30. We'll never make it there with all this morning traffic.
ADNAN : Sure we will. The rush hour is almost over. Besides, the reunion starts at 10:00. But I do need help with directions. Can you call the school and ask them where we should park our car?
Language Notes:
"It's a quarter past nine." This is a common way of expressing the time. It means "It's 15 minutes past 9:00." Another way to say this time is "It's nine fifteen." In general, you can say "It's a quarter past the hour." Look for context clues to determine the time of day, such as "morning traffic."
In the dialogue, Fatima and Adnan are attending a school reunion. Being on time is important, so there is an element of stress and urgency. When someone is stressed about time, expressions like "Don't worry," "Don't stress," "We're fine,"
or "We will be on time" can be used.
Fatima believes the reunion starts at 9:30. There are two different ways to express this time: "nine thirty" or "half past nine."
Rush hour refers to the time of day, usually in the morning and evening, when traffic is heavy due to people commuting to and from work or school by various modes of transportation.
Dialogue 1-6: A Telephone Call
DEWI : Hi, Aisha, it's Dewi. How are you?
AISHA : Oh, hi, Dewi! I am good. I was just doing my tasks.
DEWI : That's nice. I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a movie tonight.
AISHA : Sure, I'd love to! What's playing?
DEWI : I was thinking about that new comedy movie, "Laughs and Giggles".
What do you think?
AISHA : Sounds great!
DEWI : Okay, I'll come to your house around 7:30. The movie starts at 8:00.
AISHA : See you then. Bye!
Language Notes:
"Hi, Aisha, it's Dewi." This is a casual and friendly way to say hello on the phone.
"Oh, hi, Dewi!" Aisha responds with enthusiasm, showing her delight in receiving Dewi's call.
"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a movie tonight." Dewi extends an invitation to watch a movie together, without any romantic connotations.
"Sure, I'd love to!" Aisha eagerly accepts the invitation, expressing her enthusiasm.
"I was thinking about that new comedy movie, 'Laughs and Giggles'." Dewi suggests a comedy movie, focusing on humor and enjoyment.
"Sounds great!" Aisha shows her excitement and approval for the chosen movie.
"Okay, I'll come to your house around 7:30." Dewi confirms that she will come to Aisha's house at a specific time to go together.
"See you then. Bye!" Aisha says goodbye, indicating the end of their conversation.
Dialogue 1-7: Can You Say That Again?
ADI : Hello? Hi, Siti, how are things at the classroom?
SITI : Hi, Adi! How are you? Can you please stop by and get extra notebooks for the classroom?
ADI : Pardon? Could you repeat that, please? Did you say to pick up pens for the classroom? Sorry, the phone is cutting up.
SITI : Can you hear me now? No, I need more notebooks. Listen, I'll send you a text message with the exact details. Thanks, Adi. Talk to you later.
ADI : Thanks, Siti. Sorry, the reception is really weak here.
Language Notes:
If you don't understand or need more information, you can politely say "Excuse me?" or "Sorry, I didn't hear that." These phrases work in formal and informal situations when you want someone to repeat something.
When you want someone to explain again, you can ask "Can you say that again, please?" or "Can you write it down for me?" These questions help make sure you understand.
"Cutting out" means the call quality is bad, and you can't hear well. You can say
"The line is breaking up" or "I can't hear you" if you have trouble understanding.
If the call ends suddenly, you can say "The call dropped."
"Talk to you later" is like saying "See you later" on the phone. It means you'll speak again in the future.
"Reception" is the signal on your phone that lets you make and receive calls. In some places, like remote areas or big buildings, the signal might be weaker, making it harder to communicate.
Dialogue 1-8 Coincidences
RAFIKA : Hi there, Dina! Long time no see!
DINA : Rafika! Hi! What a surprise! I haven't seen you in ages! What brings you here?
RAFIKA : I just started a new job in the city, so I'm shopping for some clothes.
Hey, what do you think of this dress?
DINA : Hmmm... well, you know how much I love pink. Look! I've got a similar dress!
RAFIKA : You always did have great taste! It's such a small world.
Language Notes:
"Hi there, Dina! Long time no see!" Rafika uses a friendly greeting to acknowledge that they haven't seen each other for a long time.
Long time, no see! This is a common expression used to say hello to someone you haven’t seen in a long time.
What a ___! This exclamation shows a great degree of surprise, joy, disappointment, etc. (What a surprise to see you here! What a joy to have you with us! What a shame that you have to leave so soon! What a wonderful idea that is!)
"You've always did have great taste!" Notice the stress on “did,” which Rafika uses to emphasize the fact that Dina DOES have good taste.Rafika playfully compliments Dina's fashion sense, because they have the same taste while using the common expression.
"It's such a small world" to highlight the coincidence of their meeting.
Dialogue 1-9: Weather Report
SITI : Brrr, it's so cold outside! What happened to the weather forecast? I thought this cold front was supposed to pass.
DEWI : Yeah, I thought so too. That's what I read online this morning.
SITI : I guess the wind chill is really driving down the temperature.
DEWI : Can we go inside? I feel like my toes are starting to go numb.
Language notes:
"Cold front" refers to a large mass of cold air, which can affect the temperature.
Here “supposed to” refers to something that is intended or expected to happen: I thought it was supposed to rain today. This phrase can be used for many situations: I thought the train was supposed to arrive at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
"Yeah / Yup / Uh huh" are informal conversational cues used to affirm or agree with someone in a conversation.
"Yeah, I thought so too. That's what I read online this morning." Dewi affirms Siti's observation and indicates that she also read the same information online.
"I guess the wind chill is really driving down the temperature." Siti uses the term
"wind chill" to describe the effect of the wind making the temperature feel colder on the skin, which is forcing the temperature to be lower.
"Driving down" means "forcing to be lower" and can be used in various situations. In this context, it refers to the wind chill making the temperature lower.
Chapter 1
Introductions and Small Talk
