An A2 communication lesson created for EnglishDrills ideas, with practical listening, body language, conversation skills and speaking practice.
By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
Work with a partner. What makes someone easy to talk to? Choose three ideas: smiling, asking questions, eye contact, listening, speaking loudly, interrupting, showing interest.
A good conversation is a shared activity. One person speaks, but the other person also helps the conversation continue. Friendly eye contact, a relaxed face and small gestures can show interest. Good listeners do not need to agree with everything. They can encourage the speaker by nodding, asking a short follow-up question, or saying, “Really?” or “That sounds interesting.”
Body language matters because people often notice it before they notice the exact words. Looking away all the time may make a speaker think you are bored. Standing too close can make someone uncomfortable. On the other hand, a warm expression and an open posture can make a conversation feel easier.
Another useful skill is taking turns. If you interrupt too often, the other person may feel that their ideas are not important. A better habit is to wait, listen carefully, and then connect your answer to something the other person said.
Match the words to the meanings.
1. Give two ways a listener can show interest.
2. Why can body language change how a conversation feels?
3. What is a better habit than interrupting?
Choose the best adverb: carefully, clearly, politely, patiently, warmly.
Listen
Your teacher will read a short conversation twice. Tick the good communication skills you hear.
☐ follow-up question ☐ interrupting ☐ encouraging response ☐ changing the subject ☐ connecting to the other person’s idea
What was the final question?
Speak
In pairs, choose one topic: a favourite place, a hobby, a food you enjoy, a recent weekend. Speaker A talks for 30 seconds. Speaker B must use at least two good-listener skills, then ask one follow-up question. Swap roles.
Something New
Without speaking, show one of these: interested, nervous, bored, excited, unsure. Your partner guesses the feeling and names the body-language clue they noticed.
Write
Write 80–100 words: How can someone become a better conversational partner? Give at least three practical tips.
Close or cover the Vocabulary panel. In 45 seconds, write as many lesson words as you can remember. Then check your spelling.
Score: ____ words remembered correctly.
Use your best word in a sentence.
Tick each statement when you can do it.
Plan: Write 5 useful words or ideas from the lesson, or make a quick labelled sketch.
Write: Write 5–7 sentences that show what you learned. Try to use at least 3 words from the Vocabulary panel.
Share: Explain your work to a partner for about 30 seconds.