Compelling Conversations - Japan

Based on our original and highly successful English as a Second Language (ESL) textbook, Compelling Conversations, this book focuses specifically on Japanese-speaking English language learners. Using culturally relevant touchstones and exercises, Compelling Conversations - Japan helps fill the gap between technical ability and the practical skill of engaging in casual conversations. Each thematic chapter develops a variety of skills that allow developing English language speakers to build a better understanding of how to expand their conversational prowess as they refine their fluency. Prompts and activities are designed to build these speaking skills while learning how to give appropriate answers, ask engaging questions, and create compelling conversations in English!

Based on our original and highly successful English as a Second Language (ESL) textbook, Compelling Conversations, this book focuses specifically on Japanese-speaking English language learners. Using culturally relevant touchstones and exercises, Compelling Conversations - Japan helps fill the gap between technical ability and the practical skill of engaging in casual conversations. Each thematic chapter develops a variety of skills that allow developing English language speakers to build a better understanding of how to expand their conversational prowess as they refine their fluency. Prompts and activities are designed to build these speaking skills while learning how to give appropriate answers, ask engaging questions, and create compelling conversations in English! The distinctive features of Compelling Conversations - Japan include: - Fluency-focused activities - Specific pronunciation challenges - Challenges for Japanese English language learners - Search and Share speaking activities for small group discussions The 12 thematic chapters covering a wide variety of modern and timeless conversation topics: Getting the Conversation Started Going Beyond Hello Home Sweet Home Eating and Drinking Exploring Daily Habits Being Yourself Making and Keeping Friends Sharing Pet Peeves Taking Photographs Talking about Movies Learning in School Exploring Cities This innovative EFL conversation textbook teaches deep conversation skills using meaningful activities. Students create positive English language experiences, and expand their academic and social vocabulary with memorable discussions. The textbook also deploys over 120 curated quotes and more than 60 proverbs to improve critical thinking and practice paraphrasing skills. Further, each chapter concludes with a Search & Share internet research project to encourage students to bring more of their interests and preferences into the English classroom. The authentic exercises also spark lively discussions and allow students to share their perceptions and reflections in small group discussions. Bottom line: Compelling Conversations - Japan makes creating authentic conversations in English easy!

Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate students the pleasures and perils of academic writing and public speaking in English at the University of Southern California (USC), and holds the title of “Master Lecturer”. He also consults English language schools on communicative methods to effectively teach English, and writes and edits ESL/EFL books for English language learners with Chimayo Press. Given a full scholarship as a Lilly Scholar, Roth studied philosophy and American history at Wabash College (1980-1984), and received his M.A. in Media Studies from the New School (1988). Since 1992, Roth has taught English to high school, community college, adult, and university students. Highlights of his career include: teaching the first Saturday morning citizenship class in Santa Monica (1994); directing the CES Adult Education Center (1995-1998); working with international students in summer IEP programs at UCLA Extension (1997-2000, 2003-2005); teaching USC engineering students in Madrid, Spain (2007) and Paris, France (2008); and directing the APU International High School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (2009). USC promoted Roth to the title of Master Lecturer in 2013. Roth co-authored Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics in 2006 to help English language learners increase their English fluency. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, the advanced ESL textbook has been used in over 50 countries in English classrooms and conversation clubs. Easy English Times, an adult literacy newspaper, has published a monthly column, "Instant Conversation Activities," based on the book since 2008. The first specific version for a particular country, Vietnam, was published in 2011. Compelling American Conversations: Questions and Quotations for American English Language Learners , designed to help American immigrants develop both academic vocabulary and strengthen speaking skills in English, came out 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). Roth has given several CATESOL and TESOL conference presentations and led many English teacher training workshops. He writes short reflective essays, reviews ESL/EFL related books and apps, and shares teaching tips at CompellingConversations.com/blog. He has also served on the Fulbright National Selection committee for Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships in Southeast Asia since 2015. Roth looks forward to learning something new today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.