Speaking with Native English Speakers: Best Practices

 

Hello everyone!

Speaking with Native English Speakers, do you remember this post? It is about losing shame and trying a chat with a native. I recommend you read it first and then read this post. Okay?

This second post about language partners, I would like to help you answer some questions:

How to be a good language partner? How keep a language partner? How to learn English by speaking with  native English speakers?

Shall we?

How to be a good language partner?

First of all, I believe that a good language partner needs to be sympathetic, a smiling person, and fun. This makes everything lighter. Second, it is important to be a person who corrects speaking mistakes (grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary). Additional, being empathic, patient, and punctual is essential.

 

How to keep a language partner?

Sometimes it  is complicated to find and keep a language partner. I am serious, many people talk about this. I believe that there are some steps to keep a language partner:

1. Having a schedule with your partner that is good for both.

2. Start the conversation by asking about your partner's day, it's polite.

3. Don't keep your partner waiting for you.

4. Have a plan for the conversation (a good partner doesn't let the conversation die).

5. Always thank your partnerfor their help and show how important it is to  you.

6. Keep in touch with your partner (for example, you can send pictures or tell something nice that happened in your day via message)

7. Listening attentively to your partner.

8. You don't need to apologize every timeyou make a mistake in a word, just ask for help and give thanks.

9. PLEASE DON'T flirts with your partner or talk about embarrassing topics. Respect is very important!

How to learn English speaking with a native?

You need attention, a pen, and a notebook to note new vocabulary, phrases, expressions, etc. Choose two or more themes (depending on the time of the conversation) to talk with your partner. For instance, one day talk about work, animals, and books, and on another day talk about family, movies, and college.

Here are some themes and questions for the conversation:

Personal Experiences

1. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
2. Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? If so, which one was your favorite?
3. What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever done?
4. What hobby or skill have you always wanted to pick up but never did?
5. Can you share a funny or embarrassing story from your past?

Dreams and Ambitions

6. What are some of your life goals or dreams?
7. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
8. What is something you hope to achieve in the next five years?
9. If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
10. What motivates you to keep going during tough times?

Books and Movies

11. What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
12. Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
13. What movie has had the most significant impact on you?
14. Who is your favorite author or filmmaker, and why?
15. What’s a book or movie that you think everyone should experience at least once?

Technology and Innovation

16. How do you think technology will change in the next 20 years?
17. What technological advancement are you most excited about?
18. How do you feel about artificial intelligence and its future impact on society?
19. Do you think technology has improved our lives or made them more complicated?
20. What’s a gadget you can’t live without?

Food and Drink

21. What’s your favorite cuisine?
22. Can you cook? What’s your signature dish?
23. Do you have any memorable dining experiences?
24. What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever tried?
25. If you could have dinner with any celebrity chef, who would it be and why?

Music and Art

26. What’s your favorite genre of music?
27. Do you play any musical instruments?
28. Who is your favorite artist (musician, painter, etc.) and why?
29. Have you ever been to a live concert or art exhibition?
30. What song or piece of art always puts you in a good mood?

Health and Wellness

31. How do you stay fit and healthy?
32. Do you have any tips for managing stress?
33. What’s your go-to comfort food when you’re feeling down?
34. How important is mental health to you, and how do you maintain it?
35. Do you follow any particular diet or lifestyle for health reasons?

Relationships and Family

36. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about relationships?
37. How do you maintain a strong relationship with your family?
38. What qualities do you value most in a friend?
39. How do you handle conflicts in relationships?
40. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your family?

Society and Culture

41. How do you think society has changed in the last decade?
42. What’s a social issue you’re passionate about?
43. Do you believe in the importance of cultural diversity?
44. How do you feel about the current state of education?
45. What’s a cultural tradition you find fascinating?

Travel and Adventure

46. What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited?
47. Do you prefer beach vacations or mountain getaways?
48. What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?
49. Have you ever had an unforgettable travel adventure?
50. How do you like to plan your trips – do you go with the flow or follow a strict itinerary?

Science and Nature

51. What’s your favorite natural phenomenon?
52. Do you believe in climate change, and how do you think we should address it?
53. What scientific discovery do you find most fascinating?
54. How do you connect with nature in your daily life?
55. Do you think space exploration is important?

History and Politics

56. What historical event do you find most interesting?
57. Who is a historical figure you admire, and why?
58. How do you feel about the current political climate?
59. What do you think is the most important political issue today?
60. Do you think we learn enough about history in school?

Philosophy and Ethics

61. What’s your personal philosophy on life?
62. Do you believe in fate or free will?
63. How do you define good and evil?
64. What ethical dilemma have you faced, and how did you resolve it?
65. What do you think is the meaning of life?

Humor and Entertainment

66. What’s the funniest joke you know?
67. Do you prefer stand-up comedy or sitcoms?
68. Who is your favorite comedian?
69. What’s a comedy movie or show you can watch over and over again?
70. How important is humor in your life?

Hobbies and Interests

71. What hobby are you currently into?
72. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
73. Have you ever built or created something you’re proud of?
74. What’s a hobby you would recommend to others?
75. How do you find time for your hobbies?

Daily Life and Routine

76. What does a typical day in your life look like?
77. How do you balance work and personal life?
78. What’s your favorite part of your daily routine?
79. How do you stay organized and productive?
80. What’s a small change you’ve made in your life that has had a big impact?

Future and Aspirations

81. What do you think the future holds for you?
82. How do you envision the world in 50 years?
83. What are your hopes for the next generation?
84. What legacy do you want to leave behind?
85. How do you stay hopeful and optimistic about the future?

Miscellaneous Fun Questions

86. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
87. What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
88. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
89. Do you believe in aliens or life on other planets?
90. What’s your favorite holiday, and why?

Reflection and Self-Improvement

91. What’s one thing you wish you could change about yourself?
92. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
93. How do you handle failure or setbacks?
94. What’s a personal achievement you’re proud of?
95. How do you keep learning and growing as a person?

Creativity and Imagination

96. What’s the most creative project you’ve ever worked on?
97. How do you come up with new ideas?
98. What inspires you to be creative?
99. Do you prefer working alone or collaborating with others on creative projects?
100. What’s a creative goal you have for the future?

These topics can help stimulate meaningful, engaging conversations and help you learn English.

See ya!!💗