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Are you having a hard time following conversations in English? Don\'t worry. Today, I\'ll show you some expressions you can use confidently in situations where it isn\'t easy to follow a conversation.

Welcome to Speak English Now podcast, with your host, Georgiana. The podcast that will help you speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks.

Hi, I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of\\xa0SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.

Do you know how you can help me? You can share the podcast with your friends and family. Tell them to go to\\xa0SpeakEnglishPodcast.com\\xa0and get my free mini-course.

That would mean a lot to me. Thanks.

Okay, let\\u2019s start!

When we learn a new language, we are eager to practice speaking with another person. But what happens when the conversation is difficult for some reason? Maybe it\'s hard to keep up or follow what they tell us.

Or if you are in a conversation with people who speak very fast, and you can\'t hear those words at all, or you don\'t recognize them, you feel uncomfortable.

Although you may be embarrassed to interrupt in these situations, you can politely say that you don\'t understand what they have said.

So today, I will show you some expressions you can use confidently in situations where it isn\'t easy to follow a conversation.

Let\'s get started!

#1. Asking for clarification:

Sorry, I\'m afraid I don\'t follow (you.)

By using this expression, you are suggesting that you must have it re-explained or explained differently.

Examples:

"Sorry,\\xa0I don\'t follow\\xa0(you)\\u2014what exactly do you want me to do next?"

"Do you understand? No, I\'m afraid\\xa0I don\'t follow."

Here are some more phrases to ask for clarification:

"I\'m not entirely sure what you mean; could you explain it again? Or\\u2026"

"Could you please say that a little slower?"

"Sorry! That went straight over my head. Could you explain it differently?"

#2. When someone asks for your opinion:

If\\xa0someone asks for your opinion\\xa0on a topic for which you feel unprepared, you can use the following phrases:

"It\'s\\xa0hard to express my ideas about this topic in English, but I\'ll try my best.

"It\'s really fascinating listening to you talk, but to be honest, I don\'t know much about this topic."

#3. How to end the conversation:

This is a little beyond me.

By using this expression, you are ending the conversation. You are not asking for clarification; you are saying that the conversation is too difficult for you.

Examples:\\xa0

"I\'m sure it\'s fascinating what you\'re saying, but I have to admit that\\xa0it\'s beyond me."

I hope you are enjoying yourself.

These expressions can be very useful when we find ourselves in difficult situations and have to ask for clarification.

If you want to know how to\\xa0speak English\\xa0using the proper techniques, visit SpeakEnglishPodcast.com and\\xa0subscribe\\xa0to my mailing list. I will send you my\\xa05-day video course,\\xa0so you can\\xa0learn how to speak English fluently once and for all!\\xa0And it\'s completely free.

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Read the transcript on my website: https://SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast