The Conversation courses are non-sequential and may be taken in either order.

For more information, send an email to SciPubsEducation@mdanderson.org or contact Dr. Mark Picus at mapicus@mdanderson.org .

• Conversation Class 1: Personal Conversations
• Conversation Class 2: Workplace Conversations

Please do not sign up for more than two classes during a session.

Conversation 1: Personal Conversations

This course concentrates on helping students become familiar with the structure and functions of short, informal conversations in American society. Topics covered in the course include titles and addressing people (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.), making and receiving compliments, apologizing, and refusing. Additionally, we will learn about American conversational signals, such as how we show that we are not finished talking, how we show when it is someone else’s turn to talk, how we continue a conversation, how we end one, and how to make small talk. Finally, we will practice how to be more relaxed and confident during a phone conversation.

This class is designed for students who are not too familiar with American culture and society. Those who have recently arrived and those who have been here for a few years can benefit from this class. It is particularly appropriate for students at an intermediate level of English experience.

Conversation 2: Workplace Conversations

This course concentrates on helping students develop the skills and confidence necessary to participate in conversations in the workplace and other professional and social situations. Concepts covered in the class include the various registers of English (formal/informal and professional/casual speech); types of questions and asking for clarification; expressing opinions; making, accepting and rejecting suggestions; registering complaints; and giving advice. This class provides students with many opportunities to speak and practice their conversational English.

This class is designed for students with at least an intermediate level of English fluency. It is NOT necessarily appropriate for students with a great deal of experience interacting with American English speakers.