5 min freeA friend, on a callSomeone from your course, rehearsed out loud
1
person runs this conversation
6 min
The shortest conversation
A month in the same room, twice a week, and nothing said but hello. Today you walk out at the same time and she is going your way.
A2 · basicB1 · working
Who you will be talking to
Someone from your course, with 1 of these 1.
In whichever order helps. The first 5 minutes with a free partner cost nothing, so you can talk to two of them before you choose.
5 min freeA friend, on a callWhat actually happens
Five things people say before they start.
One of them is usually the real reason. What sits underneath it is what actually gets scored.
/01
“You both agree it was hard and then walk in silence.”
Something other than the class
'That was hard' is what everybody says and it goes nowhere. One specific thing about the hour you both just sat through is a sentence the other person can actually answer.
/02
“You have sat beside them for a month and could not say what they do.”
Why either of you is here
Everybody on a course has a reason and almost nobody is asked for it. It is the fastest way from a face you recognise to a person you know, and it costs one question.
/03
“You said goodbye at the first opportunity and were relieved.”
The point where the paths split
There is a corner coming. Saying nothing about it and continuing to walk is a decision, and it is the one that turns proximity into an acquaintance.
/04
“You still do not know their name and it is now too late to ask.”
Somebody has to say a name
A month in, asking is faintly embarrassing and not asking is worse. The person who has been answering never does it, which is the whole tell.
Not the situation you need?
Bring the real thing: the job description, the date on the letter, the words the school used. Everyone who runs someone from your course will work from what you actually walked in with.
How a first conversation worksWhat it costs
One price a minute, whoever you talk to.
A harder conversation simply runs longer. The shortest way to rehearse someone from your course is 6 min.
You pay for the seconds you talk, and the minutes come off a balance you already hold. Nothing renews, and you are never sent a bill. Plans and refunds.
Your first 5 minutes
What 5 free minutes are for.
01
Open with a detail
Not an opinion about the class. One concrete thing from it. Watch what that changes.
The terms, in full
- Free
- 5 minutes
- No card asked for
02
Let the corner pass
The scenario puts a natural exit in front of you. Not taking it is the exercise.
Paid for out of your free minutes
- Something other than the class
- Why either of you is here
- The point where the paths split
- Somebody has to say a name
Questions
What people ask before they start.
Nearby
What people open next.
The rest of Social first, then everything else at the same difficulty.
All the situationsA friend, on a call
A2 · basicB1 · workingB2 · confidentThey ask how your week was and then wait. The four seconds after the question are the whole exercise.5 peoplefrom 6 minJust talking
A2 · basicB1 · workingB2 · confidentA flatmate at the stove, a friend from an online group, a traveller at the hostel. Nothing to decide, everything to say.4 peoplefrom 6 minLanguage exchange
A2 · basicB1 · workingHalf the hour is yours. A partner who waits for the word and never corrects it.3 peoplefrom 7 min
A2 · basicB1 · workingB2 · confidentThey ask how your week was and then wait. The four seconds after the question are the whole exercise.5 peoplefrom 6 minJust talkingA2 · basicB1 · workingB2 · confidentA flatmate at the stove, a friend from an online group, a traveller at the hostel. Nothing to decide, everything to say.4 peoplefrom 6 minLanguage exchangeA2 · basicB1 · workingHalf the hour is yours. A partner who waits for the word and never corrects it.3 peoplefrom 7 min