This unit is intended to help students:

1. understand and use the language for requesting someone to get to the point and encouraging 

someone to speak plainly; 

2. appreciate the rich variety of expressions with which we request or encourage others to speak clearly and directly;

3. learn how to speak on a specific topic using these newly-acquired expressions;

4. focus on implicit meanings when listening;

5. improve their listening comprehension in general.

      How do you feel about someone who beats around the bush? You must be direct when you request that person to get to the point and encourage him or her to speak plainly. We exercise this communicative skill both in formal meetings and during small talks. Do you know what to say and how to say it in English when you want to request that someone get to the point or when you want to encourage someone to speak plainly? Let’s learn some useful expressions in this unit that will help you get others to talk straight to you.