This document provides guidance on interrupting politely in conversations. It begins with discussing the objectives and agenda, which is to learn phrases for interrupting and allowing/rejecting interruptions. Examples of situations where interrupting politely is needed are discussed. The reading section then lists reasons for interrupting such as asking for clarity or adding an opinion. Examples of phrases are provided for different interrupting situations and for allowing or rejecting interruptions. The agenda concludes with listening to sample conversations and practicing interrupting politely in different scenarios.

1. Interrupting Politely
Language circle

2. Objectives
• Learn phrases for interrupting
• Learn phrases for allowing or rejecting an
interruption
• Listen to conversations between speakers using
the interrupting phrases
• Practice using phrases for interrupting

3. Agenda
1. Discussion
2. Reading
3. Listening
4. Speaking

4. Warm-up discussion
• Interrupting politely
– Name situations where you need to use the
skill of interrupting politely.
– How is interrupting politely online different
than interrupting in person?

5. Reading

6. Reasons for interrupting
• Reasons for interrupting
– To signal you need to go
– To ask for clarity or repetition
– To add a thought or share an opinion
– To get someone’s attention or information
– To keep a conversation on track

7. To ask for clarity or repetition To signal you need to go
To add an opinion
1. Sorry to cut in, but did you say/mean….
2. I’d love to stay and chat, but…
3. Sorry, if I may quickly add something…
4. I’m sorry but I need to go…
5. Sorry, could I just mention one quick point
6. I wish I could hear more, but…
7. Sorry, I’d like to add more…
8. Could you kindly repeat that?
9. Pardon me, could you clarify something…

8. To ask for clarity or repetition To signal you need to go
To add an opinion
1. Sorry to cut in, but did you say/mean…. To ask for clarity or
repetition
2. I’d love to stay and chat, but… To signal you need to go
3. Sorry, if I may quickly add something… To add an opinion
4. I’m sorry but I need to go… To signal you need to go
5. Sorry, could I just mention one quick point To add an opinion
6. I wish I could hear more, but… To signal you need to go
7. Sorry, I’d like to add more… To add an opinion
8. Could you kindly repeat that? To ask for clarity or
repetition
9. Pardon me, could you clarify something… To ask for clarity or
repetition

9. To get someone’s attention
– Excuse me, could you help me…
– Sorry to bother you…
– Do you have a minute …?
– ….
– …

10. To keep a conversation on track
– Sorry, we need to get back to the topic
– Sorry, we don’t have much time left
– Let’s return to the topic at hand
– …
– …

11. Allowing an interruption
– What can I do for you?
– Be my guest
– What do you want to add
– Go ahead
– Sure
– …
– …

12. Rejecting an interruption
– Just hear me out
– I just need to say one more thing before I give
you the floor
– Just wait till we’re done here
– I’m almost done here
– …
– …

13. Listening

14. Listening #1
• Listen to a conversation between the
speakers.

15. Listening for details
Listening #1
1. What is the relationship between the speakers?
2. Which ‘interrupting politely’ phrases were used?
3. Where do you think this conversation is taking place?

16. Listening #2
• Listen to a conversation between the
speakers.

17. Listening for details
Listening #1
1. What is the relationship between the speakers?
2. Which ‘interrupting politely’ phrases were used?
3. Where do you think this conversation is taking place?

18. Listening #3
• Listen to a conversation between the
speakers.

19. Listening for details
Listening #1
1. What is the relationship between the speakers?
2. Which ‘interrupting politely’ phrases were used?
3. Where do you think this conversation is taking place?

20. Speaking

21. Practice
• Practice interrupting politely in the
following situations:
– In an online classroom
– At the workplace
– At the shopping mall
– When you are in a hurry to go somewhere
and you see a friend

23. See you next time!