B1 • Lesson 37
Vocabulary and reading to prepare for your lesson
Click each word to see its meaning and an example.
A chance to speak in a conversation; to have your opportunity to speak.
"It's my turn to speak now. Let me take a turn at explaining this."
To break into someone's speech; an act of breaking into someone's speech.
"I don't like to interrupt, but I have an important point to make."
To control or take up most of the space or time in a conversation.
"He tends to dominate the conversation, leaving little time for others."
A good occasion or favorable circumstance; a possibility or right to do something.
"Everyone should have an equal opportunity to contribute ideas."
A temporary stop; to stop temporarily while speaking.
"She paused to let others comment before continuing her point."
The right to speak in a meeting; to have the right to speak.
"Thank you for the floor. I'd like to address that concern immediately."
Used politely to ask for a turn to speak.
"Sorry to interrupt, but may I say something about that point?"
Used casually to ask to add a comment to the conversation.
"Can I jump in here? I have experience with this topic."
Used to request a turn to contribute to the conversation.
"I'd like to add something to what was just said."
Used politely to ask others to let you finish speaking.
"If I could finish my point, I was going to explain the solution."
Used to point out that you weren't able to complete your previous statement.
"I didn't get a chance to finish what I was saying earlier about the budget."
Used politely to acknowledge when someone gives you a turn to speak.
"Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this."
Turn taking is essential for healthy conversations. In meetings, seminars, and group discussions, people must share the responsibility of speaking. Without good turn-taking practices, conversations become unfair, with some people dominating while others never get a chance to contribute.
There are two important skills involved in good turn taking. First, you need to know how to claim a turn to speak when you have something valuable to say. This doesn't mean interrupting rudely. Instead, use polite language to signal that you want to contribute. You might say "Can I add something?" or "I'd like to share a perspective on this."
Second, you need to respect others' turns and give them space to speak. When someone is talking, allow them to finish their point rather than jumping in the middle. Listen carefully to what they say. If you need to interrupt, do so politely and briefly, then return the floor to the speaker.
A good conversation has a natural rhythm of turns. People speak, then pause to let others contribute. These pauses are signals that someone's turn is ending and another can begin. Recognizing and using these signals shows you're a considerate communicator.
In professional settings, good turn-taking skills are especially important. They show respect for colleagues and demonstrate that you're confident enough to listen as well as speak. By managing turns fairly, you help create meetings that are productive, inclusive, and pleasant for everyone involved.
~310 words • B1 Level
Think about these questions before your lesson. You don't need to write answers—just consider your thoughts.
For each question above, write maximum 3 keywords — no sentences. Then practise speaking your answer out loud from just the keywords.
Q1: "In group conversations, do you usually speak a lot, a little, or about equally with others?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Now say your answer out loud. Speak for about 30 seconds from just your keywords.
Q2: "What is the most polite way to interrupt someone who is dominating a conversation?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Speak for 30 seconds. Let your brain build the sentences from the keywords.
Q3: "Have you noticed differences in turn-taking styles between different cultures or groups?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Say your answer out loud — don't just think it! Your keywords are enough.
Remember: keywords only. Your brain does the rest. Mistakes are good — they mean you're practising speaking, not reading.
Preparation time: ~15 minutes