到了英語工作/學習環(huán)境中，你可能會突然發(fā)現(xiàn)從小學到大學的英語教育沒有教你什么能用得上的東西。上課想問個問題都不知道怎么開口怎么辦？趕緊學起來吧。以下的phrases適用于meeting, class等group discussion的情景。

Agree

老美都很喜歡表達自己的意見，無論是反對意見還是贊同意見。他們從小在課堂上就受到相關的訓練：我觀察過的小學課堂上，老師總會讓小朋友們比大拇指thumb up來表示贊同，或者大拇指向下thumb down來表示反對。因此，在英文工作/學習環(huán)境中，勇于表達自己的觀點吧！你并不需要達到一鳴驚人的程度才開口（東亞學生的通病）。

Scenario: A speaker opens the meeting, states what it will be about and asks each member to respond.

Yes, I agree.

(It) looks good to me.

I think so too.

I definitely agree.

Scenario: If you would like to make a comment or insert a remark in an ongoing conversation, it is polite to acknowledge what someone has just said before stating your own ideas.

That's interesting. I think that...

Interesting point. I would add...

Hmmm. I hadn't thought of that before.

Disagree

在中國文化中，反對權威聽起來非常可怕。但在美國學術環(huán)境中，大家一般都直抒胸臆（industry就不好說了，各個公司可能有不同的文化）。反對別人的意見是很正常的，只要be polite就行。

Scenario: One of the speakers is describing something but the information you have is different.

I'm afraid I don't agree.

I'm sorry but I don't agree.

That's interesting, but I'd prefer something different.

Actually, I disagree.

Clarify

沒聽懂？那就問清楚啊。在美國課堂里，學生有問題一般都舉手（小班教學一般不舉手，直接講）打斷老師，提出問題。

Scenario: Ask for clarification. e.g. A speaker asks you a question but you don't hear it clearly or don't understand it.

Excuse me, I didn't hear that. Could you say it again? (課堂常用)

Sorry, I missed what you just said. Could you repeat that please?(課堂常用)

I'm sorry, could you say that again?(課堂常用)

Excuse me, could you repeat that?(課堂常用)

What do you mean(by that)?(課堂常用)

What are you trying to say?

What was that again?

Could you clarify that?(課堂常用)

Just to clarify, ...?(課堂常用)

Scenario: The speaker gives you more information to help you understand. You want to show that you understand.

Thanks, now I get it.

I see.

I understand now. Thank you

Thank you, it's a lot clearer to me now.

Scenario: You are not so sure that you understand the speaker. Paraphrasing could be an efficient way to check clarification. Paraphrasing involves restating someone else's ideas in your own words.

So . . .(rephrase the other person's ideas)

In other words . . .(paraphrase)

You're saying that . . .

You want to say that . . .

You mean . . .

So, what you mean is . . .

Let me see if I understand you correctly. . .

What I think you're saying is . . .

If I'm hearing you correctly . . .

Scenario: You are the speaker, and want to clarify yourself.

In other words,

What I mean is . . .

What I'm trying to say is . . .

What I wanted to say was . . .

To clarify,

Elaborate

Scenario: This is similar to asking for clarification. You want the speak to give you more information on a subject.

Could you elaborate(on that)?

Could you tell me a little more about it?

Could you give(me) some details?

Could you fill me in on that?

Could you expound on that?

What else can you tell us(about that)?

Is there anything else you can tell us?

Is there more to it?

Scenario: Now you are the speaker and want to elaborate something.

To elaborate,

To give you more information,

Let me explain.

Let me elaborate.

Let me tell you a little more(about it).

Let me give you some details.

What's more,

Interrupt & Comment

Scenario: You have some important information you want to contribute to the discussion but another person is talking.

Excuse me, can I say something here?

Could I interrupt you for a minute?

Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to say something here.

Can I add something here?

(Do you) mind if I interject something here?

Do you mind if I jump in here?

Scenario: You want to bring new ideas into the conversation, in an indirect way.

What do you think about . . .

Have you considered . . .

What about . . .

Include

Scenario: You notice that one of the people at the meeting hasn’t had a chance to speak. You want to include this person in the conversation.

So what do you think?

Can you give me your thoughts on this?

Do you agree?

What’s your opinion?

Active Listening

主動傾聽在任何文化下都能有效促進溝通交流，當然在英語環(huán)境中也不例外。運用主動傾聽的技巧，會給講話人留下很好的印象，讓講話人感到和你聊天很愉快。

Scenario: Whether the speaker is boring you to death or not, if you use a little trick, the speaker will think you are a good listener.

Here's the trick:

Nod, look at the speaker and say,

That's interesting.

Really?

I see.

Exactly

Understood

(That's) true

Right

Great(point)

Yeah

Nice

Interesting

Awesome

Perfect

Or just repeat the speaker's last word ^_^

More coming...