Hi, everyone. Welcome back to English for Management and Leadership. Lately, I've been so busy that I haven't had time to hang out with my friends. So when I'm working at the computer, we'll instant message or text each other. Messages fly so quickly that on the screen they appear out of order. Yet we still understand what's going on. It's not stressful, it's fun. What is stressful and not fun, however, is when the same type of quick fire conversation happens in a business meeting. Can you think of a meeting you attended where the conversation moves so quickly from one person to the next, then on to the next topic, and maybe the topic after that, or you had to ask him a question. But you were three topics late. [SOUND] In this lesson, we're going to practice common phrases for interrupting and clarifying. Plus, we'll practice phrases and strategies that will put more [NOISE], into your interruption. First, why don't we begin with some key phrases for interruption, then discuss some strategies to make interruptions more effective. What common words or expressions do you use when interrupting? Have you used the name of the person speaking to interrupt or politely say, excuse me or could I interrupt? Are they effective? Interrupting a person by saying their name is a very useful. Dale Carnegie a world famous communicator wrote that a person's name is the sweetest sound to that person. Think of your own experiences when someone says your name. Do you stop and listen? You can use this knowledge to help you interact more effectively. Notice how quickly Jake stops speaking when Elizabeth interrupts Jake by using his name. >> Thanks Catherine. Don Holtz, my idol, [LAUGH] I still remember when he looked me- >> All right, let's get back to the partnership idea. Is this something you've dealt with before? >> What is equally important, and I think useful to you, is how she says his name. When she says Jake, she uses a lowered intonation and showing authority. And she keeps talking. Using a falling intonation that gets lower and louder on the last syllable works well with all of the interrupters. I'm sure you remember from the previous video that asking for clarification requires you to use language that clearly expresses what you need or want. You can't rely on saying, I don't understand. As a review, when you ask for clarification you may need the speaker to be more specific or to explain a point that you don't understand completely. You may need a word to be repeated because you didn't hear it. Or maybe you heard the word but you didn't understand it and want it to be defined. Many times you think you understood, but want to check your understanding by asking the speaker to listen to you summarize the main points. For each of these situations there are common expressions that tell the speaker what you need quickly and concisely. Expressions that will help your communications and in those quick fire meetings. In this lesson, I will introduce you to a few common phrases for clarification. But be sure to look for a reading in this module that will give you even more helpful phrases. As we go through these phrases take note at how those modules from module two are being used. If you want the person to be more specific or give you more details, then you can say, I'd like to ask you about. I'd like to ask you about the format for our status report. If the person's point or main idea isn't clear, you can say, I'm afraid, I don't follow. I'm afraid I did not follow your ideas on the company revamp. If you didn't hear something, you can say, I didn't catch that. Isn't that a funny one? The verb catch, as in catch a ball, means to not hear something, or to miss something that was said. I did not catch what you wanted ready for the conference call tomorrow. If unfamiliar words or expressions are used, then say, I'm afraid, I don't understand. I'm afraid, I don't understand what QC means. Or you can simply repeat the term using the information of a question QC. If you want to be sure you understand then use just to be clear, and then summarize the point being made. Just to be clear, the temp workers will file the data. Remember, you are in charge. Speak with authority, use pauses, and emphasize your words. Let's review the key takeaways from this lesson. Key phrases such as excuse me, I'd like to add ask/say, and if I may are useful to use when interrupting. Saying words or phrases for interruptions with the following intonation is more authoritative. Use a falling intonations with the person's name, this is a powerful interacting tool. When asking for clarification, be clear about what you want, clarified by using key expressions that match your purpose. Being able to interrupt effectively and ask for clarification can be difficult in your first language. It takes practice, and practice. Practice builds speed and confidence. I hope these expressions and techniques make your future interrupting and asking for clarification much more effective and pleasant. Good luck, and as always, thank you for participating in English for Management and Leadership.