Do you want to improve your English conversation skills in breakout rooms?

Breakout rooms are a great opportunity to practice your speaking and listening skills with other students. However, it can sometimes be challenging to express your thoughts and ideas clearly in a group setting.

If you want to improve your English conversation skills, one of the best strategies is to practice comparing your answers with others. This not only helps you clarify your own ideas and opinions but also allows you to learn from your classmates and gain new perspectives on a variety of topics

You can ask your classmates for their answers directly by simply saying:

“What’s your answer to question/ exercise _______?”

You can respond:

“I agree” = same answer

“I disagree” = different answer

However, there are more ways of communicating with your classmates during pair or small group activities in the classroom or in the breakout rooms.

Here I will share 10 phrases that can help you communicate effectively in breakout rooms, along with some tips on how to use them.

Let’s get started!

1. “Your answer is like mine.”

📢 /yor an suh riz layk mayn/

When you want to show that you have a similar answer to someone else, you can use this phrase. It helps you connect with them and continue talking together.

2. “Our answers are the same/different because…”

📢/awe ran suhr zar thuh seym bi koz/

📢/awe ran suhr zar di fuh ruhnt bi koz/

When you want to compare your answer with someone else’s, this phrase is useful. It allows you to express your agreement or disagreement while also giving a reason for your opinion.

3. “I think your answer is good because…”

📢 /ay thingk yor an suh riz gud bi coz/

This phrase is helpful when you want to say that you like someone’s idea. It can make them feel good and encourage them to share more. It also shows that you think everyone’s opinion is important and helps to create a friendly atmosphere where people can work together

4. “I have a different answer from you because…”

📢 /ay ha va di fuh ruhn tan suhr fram ju bi koz//

It’s okay if you think differently from others. You can use this sentence to explain your own ideas and why they are not the same as the other person’s.

5. “Your answer is interesting because…”

📢/yor an suh ri zin truhs ting bi coz/

When someone gives a good answer, it’s nice to let them know. You can use this sentence to say that you liked their idea and keep talking about the topic.

6. “We both agree that…”

📢/wee bow thuh gree that/

When you use this sentence, it’s a great way to find similarities with someone. It means you both think alike, and it can help you become friends and trust each other.

7. “I never thought about that before. Thank you for sharing.”

📢/ay ne ver tho ta baw that bi for. Thangk yu for she ring/

If someone tells you an answer that you didn’t think about before, it’s nice to say thank you to them. You can use this sentence to show them you appreciate their idea and that you want them to keep sharing their thoughts.

8. “I see what you mean. That’s a good point.”

📢/ay see wa juh meen. That suh gud poynt“

If you think someone’s answer is good and you understand it, you can use this sentence. It will show them that you think their answer is important and that you want to keep talking about it.

9. “I don’t understand your answer. Can you explain it to me?”

📢 /ay dow nan duhr stand ju ran ser. kuhn ju iks pley ni tu mi/

It’s okay if you don’t understand what someone said or what they think. You can use this sentence to ask them to explain it to you. It will show them that you want to know more about their idea and that you care about their point of view.

10. “I like your answer because it makes sense to me.”

📢 /ay laik ju ran suhr bi koz it meik sens tu mi/

You can use this sentence to say thank you to someone for their answer and show them that you think it’s important. It can help you become friends and make it easier to keep talking about the topic.