Conversational Strategies

Ways to carry on

a conversation in French.

CIRCUMLOCUTION

•Use familiar vocabulary to “talk around” an unfamiliar word or phrase.

Example: If you don’t know the word for “tiger”, say:

“a big orange and black cat in the jungle”

talking around a word

• une personne qui…

• une chose qui est…

• “un endroit” où…

• un autre mot pour…

• un animal qui…

• “un endroit” où je nage une piscine

SURVIVAL SKILLS (1)

•Use learned expressions in appropriate situations to continue conversation.

Examples: please explain, please repeat, how do you say…?, I don’t understand

SURVIVAL SKILLS (2)

•Use nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language to clarify meaning.

INTONATION

•Use inflection or rising voice pitch to show that you are asking a question.

SELF-CORRECTION

•Use self-correction if you make a mistake.

Example: Je suis douze …. J’ai douze ans.

RESPOND TO VERBAL CUES

•Use clues from conversation partner to use in your own responses to self-correct, clarify, or restate.

Example:A - Give me a thing to write with.B - OK. Do you want a pen or a pencil?A - I need a pencil.

ATTENTION-GETTING DEVICES

•Use conversation starters.

Examples: - Bonjour!- Pardon.- Comment vas-tu?