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Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics- An Engaging ESL Textbook for Advanced Students 2nd ed. Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 371 ratings

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This innovative English as a second language textbook (ESL) helps advanced English language learners develop conversation skills and improve fluency by sharing experiences, reflecting on their lives, and discussing proverbs and quotations. The ELT book includes 45 thematic chapters, over 1400 questions, 500 vocabulary words, 250 proverbs and American idioms, and 500 quotations. Designed for both adult education and intensive English language students, the conversations deepen critical thinking skills and speaking skills essential to success in community college and university programs. Compelling Conversations has been used in classrooms in over 50 countries, recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, and enjoyed by thousands of English students.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In my own teaching, I have found questions and quotations to be highly effective in promoting student discussion. Questions are useful in that they require a response from the listener. Asking them also helps students master the tricky rules of the interrogative. Quotations are brilliant flashes of wit expressed in the shortest space possible, often just a sentence or two. The authors have compiled a formidable collection of quotations by famous people from Napoleon and Aristotle to Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone. Some will have the students roaring with laughter "My movies were the kind they show in prisons and airplanes because nobody can leave." - Burt Reynolds), while others require careful introspection ("Love is not just looking at each other; it's looking in the same direction." - Antoine de Saint Exupery). The authors also add some wise proverbs here and there. My two favourites were "Recite `patience' three times and it will spare you a murder" and "When money talks, truth keeps silent", which are from Korea and Russia. In sum, Compelling Conversations is a recommended resource for teachers who want to make their conversation classes more learner-centered. It should be especially appealing to those who wish to escape the confines of the Presentation-Practice-Production approach and do without a formal grammatical or functional syllabus. It reflects the authors' considerable professional experience, and would be a notable addition to any English teacher's bookshelf." -- Hall Houston, English Teaching Professional, January 2009

"This outstanding resource (Compelling Conversations) allows teachers to confidently walk into an advanced ESL classroom with self-contained, engaging conversation lessons. The 45 thematic chapters allow you to both evoke student experience with long lists of practical and savvy questions. The inclusion of global proverbs and classic quotations also provides larger cultural contexts to inspire deeper conversations - or writing assignments. Students should also appreciate the generous amount of authentic language. I wish I would have had that book in my old adult/university classes. A great book for adult education teachers, university instructors, and private tutors!" --
Eric Busch, director/founder, ESLHQ.com, August 2007

"Have you been looking for a good ESL manual? If you have, I think this is one (Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics) to consider. The topics cover: Your Life, The Civic Life, along with the everyday aspects as dating, enjoying money, handling stress. The editors put it together in an easy to use form. You have conversation starters such as, "How much time do you spend each week in cars? Why?" There is a section in each chapter for vocabulary building. A section on common sayings is included, as well. To increase the conversation we have such questions as this: "Do you prefer to drive in the city or the country? Flat or hills?" Each chapter in the book concludes with quotations. An example is this one by Woody Allen, "I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys." This manual helps conversation by giving common subjects to talk about. Since English is one of the confusing, difficult and strange languages for a foreigner to grasp and be comfortable conversing in, the compilers pack in 45 chapters over 30 questions, 10 or more targeted vocabulary words, some proverbs, and quotations per chapter. Each chapter focuses on a promising conversation topic. They start with easy questions and continue on to questions a bit more abstract. Each question is there to allow the speaker to share his life experiences along with his insights. This manual will go best with the advanced ESL student or even at coffee shop conversation clubs. It will bring about authentic, not stilted communication, which should be the purpose of an ESL course. It is easier for a person to learn a language through conversation rather than by a given list of vocabulary words. That is what makes this a welcome addition to the material which can be used for the immigrant who must learn English to advance in the world." --
Dane Robert Swanson, Santa Monica Daily Press, 1/16/2009

From the Author

Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure."
- Edward Thorndike (1874-1949), American psychologist

The art of conversation, once considered the sign of a civilized individual, seems less common today. Yet I treasure the moments of sharing experiences, collecting news, and exchanging ideas. I make a point of knowing my neighbors, allowing casual greetings to become long conversations, and making time to explore in depth the feelings and perceptions of friends, students, and relatives. These natural conversations provide information, encouragement, and pleasure.

Many people say that they are too busy to have long talks. Other people prefer to watch YouTube, play computer games, chat via email rather than talk to relatives, co-workers, and friends. Many Americans, it seems, have forgotten how to hold good, deep conversations - or even a friendly chat on the phone. I suspect this lack of real communication lessens their daily joy.

English language learners, of course, face many more barriers to have a satisfying conversation in English. First, English remains a confusing, difficult, and strange language. It's very easy to feel uncomfortable when speaking a new language - whether a second or fourth.  English students in my advanced speaking skills courses often ask questions like:
  • How do start a conversation?
  • What questions do I ask?
  • How can I keep a real conversation going?
  • How do I share agreement - or disagreement - in a polite way?
  • How can I share my experiences in clear manner with appropriate vocabulary?
  • How I can have better, more engaging conversations?
Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics addresses these issues for both native and non-native speakers. The focus remains on learning by doing and making "good mistakes". (Good mistakes, by the way, are natural mistakes that help us learn so we can make different and better "good mistakes" next time.)

Each of the 45 thematic chapters focuses on a promising conversation topic. Every chapter includes 30 or more questions (both direct and indirect), 10 or more targeted academic vocabulary words, a few proverbs to paraphrase, and 10 or more quotations to discuss from a variety of perspectives. Although designed for advanced English language learners, many intermediate ESL and EFL students will plenty of material to use can can benefit from exposure to authentic questions, common phrases, and new vocabulary words.

As I tell my university English students, "your English may not be perfect yet, but daily practice does lead to significant progress."
Compelling Conversations gives students, teachers, and tutors the tools and phrases to talk more and listen better to friends, classmates, and strangers in English.  I hope you enjoy creating many compelling conversations - in and out - of the English classrooms!

Eric H. Roth
co-author of
Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BookSurge Publishing; 2nd ed. edition (March 2, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 164 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 141965828X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419658280
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 18 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.41 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 371 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
371 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides good conversation starters and tips that lead students to further discussion. They appreciate the quality of the material and the design as nice. However, opinions differ on the value for money, use, and language. Some find it useful for class discussions in an ESL classroom, while others feel the topics don't apply for their students. There are mixed reviews regarding the language - some find it good for English learning, while others feel it's awkwardly written and difficult to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

43 customers mention "Conversation starter"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for conversation classes. It provides good conversation starters and leads students to further conversation. The questions, tips, and quotes are useful for group discussions. The book includes proverbs after each discussion topic. They appreciate the resources included in the book, like vocabulary activities and quick vocabulary quizzes.

"...The discussion questions are well-worded and the themes are accessible to a majority of students...." Read more

"...It uses proverbs and quotations in a way that's fully engaging for the students and gets them to go beyond their comfort zone while still having fun...." Read more

"...A great resource for a Conversational English class. Loved the quotations & proverbs, from many ethnicities: really provoked responses by..." Read more

"...There are 45 topics to choose from and one alone, in an upper intermediate to advanced class will take you two or three lesons to get through if..." Read more

6 customers mention "Material quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the book's material quality. They say it's in good condition.

"...of material provided in this book and, again, the quality of the material is excellent...." Read more

"...I bought this from Amazon.com,"used, like new" - it's in perfect condition & worth every penny!" Read more

"...The book was brand new and in perfect condition. The price was excellent." Read more

"...been very helpful and the service that I've received have been with good quality" Read more

4 customers mention "Design"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's design. They say it looks nice and new.

"...I opened it. I am surprise for it. It is very good. It looks like new book. Thank you!" Read more

"It’s nice." Read more

"Well designed and full of interesting material for the adult learner of Conversational English as a Foreign Language. Excellent." Read more

"I looked at the sample chapters on their website and it looked fine - it was in PDF format..." Read more

11 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the book's value for money. Some find it worth every penny and a wonderful purchase, while others say it's a waste of money and not a good use of teaching funds. They mention there is no real content and the kindle format is unusable in a class setting.

"...You certainly get your money's worth in so far as the amount of material provided in this book and, again, the quality of the material is..." Read more

"...For $25.00 it is not a good use of teaching funds - perhaps as a free download, but that's it." Read more

"...from Amazon.com,"used, like new" - it's in perfect condition & worth every penny!" Read more

"...not PDF format, it's some pointless kindle format that is unusable in a class situation. If you're a teacher, forget it." Read more

9 customers mention "Use"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some find it useful for class discussions in an ESL classroom, and great for any type of class setting. Others mention that there are no articles, readings, or anything to get students interested in the topics. The topics did not apply for students aged 15-17, and the book only asks questions without providing answers.

"...I love this book it is great for any type of class setting: one to ones, telephone classes, Skype classes, group classes...." Read more

"...But book only asks questions, tells you no answers to that. So anyone trying to study on your own, will find some disapointment as I did...." Read more

"...It was very helpful and gave a lot of great quotes and questions to open the lesson, as well as thought provoking activities that gave my students..." Read more

"...Definitely a helpful tool just to have on your bookshelf for those last minute preparations." Read more

6 customers mention "Language"3 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's language. Some find it useful for English learners, with good content and a high level of interpretation required due to U.S. culture. Others found the vocabulary unorganized and difficult to read, with awkward writing and lack of vocabulary progression.

"...It's getting better, but for me the content is king here." Read more

"This book was very terrible to read its stinch of vocabulary wasnt on track the title was worst to fit its contents dont recommend this to anyone" Read more

"...represent a variety of views and tones, and some require a high level of interpretation because of U.S. culture or history. The humor is wonderful...." Read more

"Not well done, disorganized..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015
    A friend of the author asked me to review Compelling Conversations, and I am glad to do it because this is a truly excellent book. I've taught ESL to adults in East Los Angeles for eighteen years and came across this book just a couple of years ago. I wish I'd known about it sooner. I has become indispensable. It stands head and shoulders above the many other conversation books I've bought and used or considered using with my students.

    With little or no preparation, students can open this book and start speaking in pairs or groups. With a little creativity on the part of the teacher--warm up and follow up activities--and an ESL class or a conversation class can easily spend two hours working with a single chapter. The discussion questions are well-worded and the themes are accessible to a majority of students. Each list of questions is accompanied by a selection of related vocabulary words and quotations. You certainly get your money's worth in so far as the amount of material provided in this book and, again, the quality of the material is excellent.

    This wonderful book is for advanced level students. The author's equally wonderful book entitled Compelling American Conversations is fundamentally the same but presented at a more intermediate level (fewer questions per topic and easier language).
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2012
    I grabbed this up for the Kindle and I've got to say it's a great resource to have for a teacher on the go. So few texts of quality have made the move to digital format, but I'm glad Compelling Conversations took the jump. Whether you have an iPad or any other device, it's really nice just to pop it open and find topics that you can hit the floor running with for your students.

    A lot of people have left reviews claiming how good this book is, and I can't agree more. It uses proverbs and quotations in a way that's fully engaging for the students and gets them to go beyond their comfort zone while still having fun. This book is the perfect example of the old "Trick Your Students Into Learning" maxim. Students will use this to have fun while at the same time challenging their speaking skills.

    The only problem area is with the formatting, but that seems to be pretty standard across all Kindle books. It's getting better, but for me the content is king here.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2011
    I was thrilled to open this book & find assembled for me all the open-ended questions I might have thought of, had I found enough hours in the day! A great resource for a Conversational English class.
    Loved the quotations & proverbs, from many ethnicities: really provoked responses by students! Yeaah! This book is stuffed with ideas to use for class openers. I bought this from Amazon.com,"used, like new" - it's in perfect condition & worth every penny!
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2012
    I've been using this book in a couple of ESL conversation classes and it has worked wonders. Every lesson is organized the same way, first introducing the topic with a lot of different questions, then presenting useful vocabulary followed by more conversation starters along the same line where students can practice these new words, and finally a plethora of quotes for discussion.
    There are 45 topics to choose from and one alone, in an upper intermediate to advanced class will take you two or three lesons to get through if done thoroughly.
    I own several ESL conversation textbooks and this one is easily the one I've gotten the most from. As the title suggests, the conversations do become compelling.
    Don't be fooled by the index; at first I thought some of the topics listed on it were boring, but on looking over the questions I thought they were well thought-out and can easily be used to start interesting conversations.
    If you are going to buy one book to use in ESL conversation classes, let it be this one. You won't regret it.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2015
    As a person who speaks English as a second language, the book contains plenty questions and quotes to learn.
    But book only asks questions, tells you no answers to that. So anyone trying to study on your own, will find some disapointment as I did.

    Book IS worth keeping, if there were an answer book. Not very recommandable for those who study alone.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
    We just started working in this workbook and have covered 3 chapters. The questions are representative of U.S. English & culture, but could be used for any English-speaking country. The questions are abundant and stimulate good conversation, apply to various age groups, and the vocabulary is up-to-date. The vocabulary items are well-chosen, the quotes are excellent as they represent a variety of views and tones, and some require a high level of interpretation because of U.S. culture or history. The humor is wonderful. The chapters are all set up in the same way, but the topics are so well-chosen that I don't think it will become repetitive. For variety, I am supplementing with other types of exercises based on the themes: listening comprehension, writing and reading comprehension.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    A buen precio
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
    I teach English to students in Europe and here in the United States. I thought this book would be useful for getting students to speak more. It is not. It is just a bunch of questions, quotes and vocabulary words but no articles, no readings, nothing to get students interested in the topics. The lists of questions seemed more like an interrogation than a conversation. For $25.00 it is not a good use of teaching funds - perhaps as a free download, but that's it.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Isabela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great topics
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 31, 2023
    I usually use the questions in my classes or just to practice my ENglish I really liked it a lot!
  • Ol
    5.0 out of 5 stars There are a variety of different lessons
    Reviewed in Australia on November 5, 2023
    The conversation activities are clearly marked for learning level and there are many activities to choose from for a conversation group for Esl users
  • Dan in the Pan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great for private lessons or small groups
    Reviewed in Japan on April 11, 2017
    Not quite sure about compelling but exactly what I was looking for. It's the book I could never be bothered to write. Perfect for when half the class doesn't turn up and you need to make a lesson on the fly - enough questions to fill an hour lesson.
    Don't be put off by the "advanced" bit in the title. With a small group or private students almost any level could handle this.
  • Silvia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Libro molto utile per brillanti conversazioni in inglese
    Reviewed in Italy on August 16, 2016
    Il libro contiene 45 capitoli inerenti altrettanti argomenti di conversazione in inglese. Ogni capitolo nella parte iniziale riporta una ventina di domande di carattere generale sull'argomento , una parte con le parole chiave, in alcuni casi proverbi e idioms , ancora domande ed infine citazioni di personaggi famosi sull'argomento. Può essere un valido strumento anche per avere argomenti durante sessioni con parteners di lingua. È per studenti di livello intermedio-avanzato.
  • Ric Phillips
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great for advanced conversation practice
    Reviewed in Canada on August 24, 2013
    I really enjoy using this book with my advanced ESL clients i.e. overseas workers and immigrants that have been here a while. It has great topics, excellent quotes and interesting questions to round out the discussion. Again - as the title suggests - this is great for advanced conversation practice and cultural discussions.