准备一些问题

　　练口语常去英语(论坛)角，最常规的练习方式就是问答互动式法(Q&A)，而今天要介绍的就是如何利用这样的方法和原则来最大程度的提升口语练习机会。

　　技巧一：准备一些问题

　　有的放矢的去英语角，这点已经毋庸置疑了，除了准备一些材料之外，还要懂得准备问题，因为毕竟不是所有人都对我们准备的材料感兴趣，或者从另一个角度说，如果通过提问将话题引到我们准备的材料上，给人感觉非常自然，即使他不是很感兴趣，也会在早期比较配合我们的对话，也就给了我们锻炼的机会。否则的话，就会出现以下的情况：

　　A: Hi, nice to meet you.

　　B: Nice to see you too.

　　A: What shall we talk about?

　　B: I don’t know. It’s up to you.

　　A: I can talk about everything.

　　B: Me too.

　　A: So what shall we talk about?

　　B: Whatever you like. So what do you like to talk about?

　　A:…

　　两人无言，只有泪千行。但是如果我们有所准备或者考虑，情况可能就完全不一样。比如，我们所熟悉的材料是关于广告的，那么要设计一些广告方面的问题，一般三个就足够了，具体的对话可以是这样的：

　　A: Hi, nice to meet you.

　　B: Nice to see you too.

　　A: What shall we talk about?

　　B: Well, I would like to ask you a few questions if I may.

　　A: Sure, go ahead.

　　B: Have you ever been annoyed by those commercials between TV series when you are desperate to know about what’s going on next?

　　A: Yes. It spoils the whole evening sometimes.

　　B: Have you ever been bothered by those junk commercial messages during midnight when you are just about to have a sweet dream?

　　A: Well, yes.

　　B: Have you ever been confused by those booming advertisements or commercials so that you can hardly decide which one to follow and which product to buy?

　　A: I agree.

　　B: Then it is high time that we should prohibit commercials during golden hours…. （然后加入自己所准备的话题和内容）

给出多句话的回答

　　技巧二：给出多句话的回答

　　这个原则主要是针对那些回答问题惯用一两句话或者一两个字的人，但凡这样的情况出现，这个Q&A的过程就会变成一个审问的过程。使得提问人和答问人都会显得非常郁闷。比如：

　　A: What’s you name?

　　B: York.

　　A: How old are you?

　　B: 27.

　　A: Where do you come from?

　　B: Chengdu

　　A: Do you like the English Corner here?

　　B: No.

　　A: Why?

　　B: Because I see you.

　　这种乒乓球式的一来一回，最后都不会有什么好的结果。练习口语是我们的目的，所以一定要利用别人提问的机会多说一些，这样才会对所说的话题更加熟悉，同时还可以兼顾到语音语调以及词汇句型的升级，也让听者觉得你是有表达欲望和交流欲望的。比如：

　　A: What’s your name?

　　B: Feel free to call me York. This is a name easy to remember as it never fails to remind people of the names of a state and a city in the United States—the New York State and the New York City. Actually it was given by my first English teacher in middle school and it is my personal favorite English name and I have used it since then.

　　后面的任何问题都可以如法炮制，只要回答者能够用多句话来回答问题，交流的感觉会变得更加好。平时要有意识的训练自己用5句话回答任何问题，这样的话就可以在面对任何问题的时候都不会没有话说（当然，这个训练的目的是为了大家抓住锻炼口语多说，不意味着任何问题从实质上讲都需要说5句话，5是个虚数也是个实数），包括那些你不知道答案的问题，比如：

　　A: Do you know how many stars are there in the sky? (口头逼到可以不太讲究语序)

　　B: This is a question too complicated for me to answer. As far as I know, the number of stars is uncertain since science and technology are developing everyday and we can not be so sure about the number of stars we have discovered, not to mention those unknown to us. The fact of matter is we need to see beyond those numbers, which means what those number means to us matters much more than the number itself. That is basically how I look at this question.

　　相信大家可以看出来了，即使不能对问题的答案有一个确定的答复，也可以就提问者的动机或者问题答案对我们的意义着手进行进一步的陈述，最关键的是把自己的观点说出来，这样不论是英语口头表达和个人的自信心，都会得到相应的提高。

交谈沟通秘籍

　　Conversation Tips 交谈沟通秘籍

　　* Speak about location: Americans love to talk about location. When speaking to a stranger, ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place. For example: "Oh, I have a friend who studied in Los Angeles. He says it's a beautiful place to live." Most Americans will then willingly talk about their experiences living or visiting that particular city or area.

　　谈论地点：美国人喜欢谈论地点。和陌生人说话的时候，可以问问他们从哪里来然后找到自己跟那个地方的联系。比如可以说：“啊，我有个朋友在洛杉矶学习，他说那地方很漂亮。”这时大部分美国人就会很愿意谈起他们居住或者到过那个特殊的地方或地区的经历。

　　* Talk about work: Americans commonly ask "What do you do?". It's not considered impolite (as in some countries) and is a popular topic of discussion between strangers.

　　谈论工作：美国人通常会问“What do you do?”在某些国家会被认为这是不礼貌的，但美国不是的，这只是陌生人之间聊天的一个流行话题。

　　* Talk about sports: Americans love sports! However, they love American sports. When speaking about football, most Americans understand "American Football", not soccer.

　　谈论运动：美国人超爱运动！不过，他们喜欢美国的运动。如果说到football，大部分美国人会理解成橄榄球而不是足球。

　　* Be careful when expressing ideas about race, religion or other sensitive topics: The United States is a multi-cultural society. Especially in the last few years, Americans are trying very hard to be sensitive to other cultures and ideas. Talking about sensitive topics like religion or beliefs, is often avoided in order to be sure not to offend someone of a different belief system. This is often referred to as being "politically correct".

　　说到种族、宗教或者其他敏感话题要小心：美国是一个多文化的社会。特别是近几年，美国人对其他文化和观点非常特别的敏感。像宗教或者信仰之类的敏感话题通常都不会在谈话中提及，以免冒犯别人。这就是经常被提到的“政治正确”。

如何称呼

　　Addressing People 称呼

　　* Use last names with people you do not know: Address people using their title (Mr, Ms, Dr) and their last names.

　　对不认识的人要称呼他们的姓：用他们的头衔（先生、女士、博士等）加上他们的姓。

　　* Always use "Ms" when addressing women: It is important to use "Ms" when addressing a woman. Only use "Mrs" when the woman has asked you to do so!

　　称呼女性的时候通常用“Ms”：称呼女性的时候用“Ms”，这很重要。如果对方要求你称呼“Mrs” 那再照办好了。

　　* Many Americans prefer first names: Americans often prefer using first names, even when dealing with people in very different positions. Americans will generally say, "Call me Tom." and then expect you to remain on a first name basis.

　　很多人喜欢被叫名字：美国人通常喜欢用他们的名字，即使是和身份非常不同的人打交道。他们通常会说，“叫我Tom”，然后真的希望你用他们的名字来称呼他们（不是客气的哦）。