Conversational Skills

Maintaining Appropriate Physical Distance from Others ("Don't Be a Space Invader")

Listening Position

Tone of Voice (Volume, Pace, Prosody: e.g., flat versus "sing-song" tone)

Greetings

How and When to Interrupt

Staying on Topic

Maintaining a Conversation

Taking Turns Talking

Starting a Conversation

Joining a Conversation

Ending a Conversation

Asking a Question When You Don't Understand

Saying "I Don't Know"

Introducing Yourself

Getting to Know Someone New

Introducing Topics of Interest

Giving Background Information about What you are Saying

Shifting Topics

Talking Briefly

Avoiding topics that upset others

 Complimenting

Use Your H.E.A.D. (Acronym for Happy voice, Eye contact, Alternating turns, Distance)

T.G.I.F. (Acronym for Timing, Greeting, Initial Question, Follow-up questions)