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Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics- An Engaging ESL Textbook for Advanced Students 2nd ed. Edition
There is a newer edition of this item:
Purchase options and add-ons
- ISBN-10141965828X
- ISBN-13978-1419658280
- Edition2nd ed.
- Publication dateMarch 2, 2007
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions8.25 x 0.41 x 10.5 inches
- Print length164 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"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
- 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?
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
From the Back Cover
"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 magazine
...hours of conversation practice
"I wish I had written this book! It will provide students
with hours of conversation practice."
Nina Ito
California State University Teacher and Co-author of
The Great Big BINGO Book: Bingo Games for ESL Learners
...excellent!
"This book is excellent! Both teachers and students love
it."
Marina Goldshteyn, Director
Community Enhancement Services College
...wonderful
"A wonderful source of materials triggering authentic
(not stilted) communication."
Dr. Sharon Myers, Lecturer
American Language Institute
University of Southern California
... natural conversations
"The students I tutor are well-educated adults, rich
in culture and experiences. This book allows them to
produce natural conversations using what is most
intimate to them: their lives and their culture."
Patricia Schulz, ESL Tutor
...allows students to learn by speaking
"Immigrants need to feel comfortable speaking
English, but too often students learn everything
except conversation in ESL classrooms. Compelling
Conversations allows students to learn by speaking."
Zigmund Vays, Founder/President
Community Enhancement Services College
About the Author
A Lilly Scholar, Roth studied philosophy at Wabash College and received his M.A. from the New School. Since 1992, Roth has taught English to high school, community college, adult, and university students. Highlights of his career include: teaching high school English language learners in Los Angeles (1991-1992) teaching citizenship in Santa Monica (1994); directing the CES Adult Education Center (1995-1998); teaching USC engineering students in Madrid (2007) and Paris (2008); and directing the APU International High School in Vietnam (2009).
Roth co-authored Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics in 2006 to help English language learners increase their fluency. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, Compelling Conversations has been used 50+ countries. Since 2008, Instant Conversation column has run in Easy English Times, an adult literacy newspaper. Compelling American Conversations: Questions and Quotations for Intermediate American English Language Learners - Volume 1 will be released in 2012.A member of the USC faculty since 2003, Roth is a member of numerous professional organizations including: California Association of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL); the International Communication Association (ICA); the International Professors Project (IPP); and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The USC Center for Scholarly Technology awarded Roth two teaching with technology grants in 2011. He has given several CATESOL and TESOL conference presentations.
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
- Best Sellers Rank: #814,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate students the pleasures and perils of writing and speaking in English at the University of Southern California (USC), and holds the title of Master Lecturer. He also created the ELT textbook series, Compelling Conversations and Chimayo Press. Eric consults English language schools on communicative methods.
In 1992, Roth taught his first English as a Second Language class at a refugee center for immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and became hooked. Since then, Roth has taught English to high school, community college, adult, and university students from five continents and over 60 countries. He has also taught university writing courses in Spain (2007) and France (2008), and directed an elite private high school in Vietnam (2009) during summer breaks.
Roth co-authored 'Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics' in 2007 to help English language learners increase their fluency in English. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, the advanced ESL textbook has been used by English language learners and English teachers in over 60 countries. Since then, he and his co-author Toni Aberson have added new titles to the series: Compelling American Conversations (2012) with Hal Bogotch and Compelling Conversations for Advanced Vietnamese English Language Learners (2011). Roth also edited Aberson's latest book titled: It's a Breeze: 42 Lively Lessons on American Idioms that introduces common expressions to high-beginning students.
In 2015,Roth also co-authored 'Compelling Conversations - Japan: Questions and Quotations for High-Intermediate Japanese English Language Learners' and 'Compelling American Conversations -Teacher Edition: Commentary, Supplemental Exercises and Reproducible Speaking Activities.' More recently, Roth co-authored 'Compelling Conversations-Vietnam: Speaking Exercises for Vietnamese Learners of English' with Teresa X. Nguyen in 2017. The two authors collaborated again in 2019 with 'Creating Compelling Conversations: Reproducible Search and Share Activities for English Teachers' and a team of experienced ESL/EFL teachers. All the titles are available as both paperbacks and many as ebooks.
Roth and Aberson also co-author a monthly column in Easy English Times, an adult literacy newspaper, that has published "Instant Conversation Activities" based on their conversation textbooks for over a decade.
A member of the USC faculty since 2003, Roth is an active member of numerous professional Organizations including: California Association of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL); the International Professors Project (IPP); Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and the International Society for Education Leadership (ISIL). Roth has given several CATESOL and TESOL conference presentations and led many teacher training workshops. Roth was a plenary speaker at the Virtual ELT Summit in 2020 and gave a keynote presentation at the Virtual ELT Summit 2021. He has recently expanded the micro-sized Chimayo Press to help friends publish books for global souls and sophisticated English language learners.
A collector of vintage postcards, old/odd books, and travel experiences, Roth has enjoyed conversations in over 40 countries so far. He looks to seeing more of our magnificent world in the coming years.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015A 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).
- Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2012I 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2011I 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!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2012I'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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2015As 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018We 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.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024A buen precio
- Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022I 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.
Top reviews from other countries
IsabelaReviewed in Brazil on March 31, 20235.0 out of 5 stars Great topics
I usually use the questions in my classes or just to practice my ENglish I really liked it a lot!
OlReviewed in Australia on November 5, 20235.0 out of 5 stars There are a variety of different lessons
The conversation activities are clearly marked for learning level and there are many activities to choose from for a conversation group for Esl users
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Dan in the PanReviewed in Japan on April 11, 20175.0 out of 5 stars Great for private lessons or small groups
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.
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SilviaReviewed in Italy on August 16, 20165.0 out of 5 stars Libro molto utile per brillanti conversazioni in inglese
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 PhillipsReviewed in Canada on August 24, 20135.0 out of 5 stars Great for advanced conversation practice
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.







