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HomeShop at BookSurgeBusiness & EconomicsOrganizational BehaviorCompelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics- An Engaging ESL Textbook for Advanced Students |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 59 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 found the following review helpful:
 Fantastic Book! Apr 17, 2007
By loopidiloop
These conversation starters are not just for ESL students but for anyone who is a bit shy or has trouble speaking around people. The questions are engaging and interesting and draws people into a variety of diverse subjects ranging from "Does your dog have a personality?" to "Have you ever had to hire/fire someone or work for a crazy boss?" The book also has may jokes, quotes and proverbs that often bring common day improper english into the mix. A must have book!
26 of 26 found the following review helpful:
A gold mine of resources Nov 12, 2007
By Jenny Bruner
"Language lover"
I first tried this fantastic textbook with a high intermediate student that I tutor. I was amazed from the start at how naturally the conversation flowed. We were only halfway through the first set of questions when she decided to buy her own copy. Each of the 45 chapters includes a vocabulary section and list of around 12 to 15 classic quotations, along with between thirty and forty questions. The chapters can be used in any order, but I recommend starting with chapter one as it orients the students to the textbook and shows them how to get the most out of subsequent chapters. Either in the classroom or one on one, it's accessible to intermediate students and challenges advanced students. The quotations, from Socrates to Shaw and from Picasso to Pete Rose, are all identified by name, when they lived, and what they did. This book is truly a treasure.
26 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Where was this book when I needed it? May 18, 2007
By Bea S. Chumley
"Beja Szerencses"
As a longtime ESL student and medical professional, I wish I had this book when I was preparing for the "English Proficiency Exam" in London.
It goes beyond the boring dialogs of most ESL books and provides great current conversations that fit our crazy modern times.
For instances:
"Are sex, love and marriage linked in your mind?"
"What does your partner do that annoys you?"
"Will your partner love you with wrinkles?"
These are good questions!
I also like the proverbs:"If it's torn it can't be worn." (Persian)
Excellent book, great learning tool, absolutely at the top of the list in its category!
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
The recipe for making anyone a great conversationalist! Jul 11, 2007
By Power English Coach
"EnglishSkills.com"
If I had to sum up what I loved about "Compelling Conversations" in one sentence, I would say that it contains the recipe for making anyone a great conversationalist!
In addition to 45 well-selected topics perfectly suited for casual or in-depth conversations, the authors provide excellent resources and guidelines that make a conversation run smoothly in an engaging, informative and thought provoking manner.
Each chapter consists of a list of questions - from specific to more abstract - , as well proverbs, sayings and quotations on a given subject. There is plenty of material appropriate for different levels of proficiency: from intermediate to advanced. I would even say that native speakers of English with somewhat limited social skills could benefit greatly by using this book.
"Compelling Conversations" encourages the reader to examine many different ways of thinking and teaches respect and genuine interest in other people's models of the world. It teaches active listening skills and offers gentle conversation reminders, such as be kind, explore, be open, be supportive, that help the reader set a positive intention for each interaction.
I am glad to have found a book that combines great content, conversational skills and psychology of empowerment.
Natasha Cooper, author of ESL how-to books "Scripts for Winning Jobs" and "The Telephone for Business and Daily Life".
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
An indispensable tool for the ESL classroom! Apr 27, 2007
By Diane M. Asitimbay
This book is extremely rich in content. It contains deeper and more provocative questions than we usually find in advanced conversational texts. The authors provide an enormous variety of conversational topics, with 45 chapters and 30 or more questions in each chapter. ESL teachers will happily discover this book stimulates students to talk and encourages them to share their personal stories.
Educators who find this book useful, would also enjoy What's Up America?, a cultural guide for Advanced ESL students.
Highly recommended.
See all 59 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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