Have better conversations using the FORD method

Don't know what to talk about with someone? Do you hate uncomfortable silence? Want to become a better conversationalist? In this video, I will teach you the FORD method of conversation. "FORD" stands for Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams. These are perfect topics for conversing with anyone, including people you don't know very well. I will give you many examples of FORD questions to ask. You can use these questions to keep a conversation going and connect with people. FORD is a great tool for anyone who wants to improve their small talk skills and become more likeable. www.engvid.com/ford-method-sm...
TRANSCRIPT
ello. My name is Emma, and in today's video I am going to teach you how to be better at conversation and speaking. Okay? So, in this video I'm going to teach you about how to become better at conversation with a technique. We call the technique "F-O-R-D" or "FORD". This technique will really help you if you're shy, if when you meet people for the first time you don't know what to say, if you feel very uncomfortable at parties or in meetings or any social events. This is a great technique. Even if you're amazing at socializing, this video can still really help you even improve more than what you already can do. So let's get started.
Okay, so the first thing I want to talk about is we use FORD as a way of small talk. So, what is small talk? Okay? Small talk is the type of conversation we have with people we don't know well or strangers. So, you might make small talk with your neighbours, you might make small talk with your boss, with your colleagues, maybe if you're, you know, going to a coffee shop you might make small talk with the store clerk. So, you make small talk with people you don't know well and it's just a way to make people feel comfortable in conversation and to create a connection with people. A lot of conversation is small talk. If anyone has ever talked to you about the weather, sports, you know, all sorts of different topics - these are usually small talk topics. So, again, you might make small talk at parties, in elevators, at meetings, even if you're taking English classes you will probably make small talk there as well.
So, how do we get good at small talk? What do we talk about when we don't know what to talk about? Well, that's where FORD comes in. FORD is a technique which will help you know what to talk about when you really have no idea. So maybe this has been you before. Okay? Maybe this is you: "What should I talk about? Ah." Or, you know, maybe it's just a bunch of question marks. "I don't know what to say." It's totally silent. It's awkward. So, how can we fix this situation? Well, FORD stands for four things. "F" stands for "family". You can talk about family, and I'm going to give you some great questions you can use to ask about somebody's family. "O" stands for "occupation" or job. I'm going to give you some great questions about occupation that you can ask somebody you don't know well to keep the conversation going. "R" stands for "recreation", this is like hobbies, sports, movies, Netflix, TV. Okay? So I'm going to give you some great questions for hobbies or recreation. And finally, "D" stands for "dreams". This is when you ask somebody about their future goals or, you know, something they want to do. This does not... Dreams does not mean when you go to sleep, if you have some weird dream and you share it with somebody. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about your dreams in life. What are your goals? Okay? So using the FORD technique will make you better at small talk. So, now let's look at some specific questions you can ask when you're socializing with somebody who you don't know that well.
Okay, so again, the "F" in FORD stands for "family". Family is a great thing to talk about, but remember to keep it light and easy. Okay? You want to talk about things people are comfortable with. So don't ask them any private questions, you know, like: "Oh, is it true so-and-so cheated on so-and-so?" No, no, no. Keep it light, simple, and easy. And also share about your own family, too. Okay? That's also very important. You don't want to sound like the FBI interrogating somebody. You want to have a conversation, so each time they say something, you can say something about yourself. So keep it kind of balanced.
Okay, so one easy question you can talk about: "Where are you from originally?" Okay? "Where are you from? Are you from Toronto? Are you from Tokyo? Are you from Istanbul? Where are you from?" This question is great because you can really talk about the difference between your cities and, you know, maybe some of your experiences growing up. Similarly: "Where did you grow up?" A lot of people have moved a lot, so maybe they were born in this city, then they moved to Mexico, and then they moved here. So that's also another interesting question.

[@engvidEmma]

Watch my latest Easy English Conversation video! You'll learn useful phrases for asking someone's opinion, and giving your own opinions as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYemeHiAq7mUr9U

[@mohamedamir1351]

I try speak English but i don't know how call someone who doesn't know how to speak anything even he's language

[@sarahgrisetti3915]

I'm a native English speaker, but I found this video very helpful as I'm autistic and struggle with small talk. This gave me some great ideas to practice! I'm going to share it with my support group, I think a lot of others would benefit from this as well!

[@SingleStepEnglish]

i will share the FORD technique with my university students. Thank you!

[@aasgreagawegbiuwag5705]

Emma is the best teacher on KZbin, I learnt longtime began six years ago from your lessons. Thanks so much, I hope you upload lessons more and more help anyones and me learn Eng language. I love your smiling!!!!! buzz everything well come to you Emma, strong and happy Emma.....

[@theallahsslave8011]

Thank you teacher Emma for your helping the English learners with useful topics.your accent or pronunciation is also understandable.I currently joined your channel and watched some of the previous ones. I'm looking forward to having some more others from u thanks.

[@rodrigovii178]

George mıchael It's true but some people don't care about learning. They rather be on Fb, tweeter...

[@abdulqadeerahmadzai164]

Thank you so much

[@rensonzack6618]

John 3:16📖 Jesuschrist said: I'm the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by Me. Jesuschrist ❤ loves you.🙌

[@divyang089]

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[@naimansari7371]

Thank You Emma from my heart for making whole world happy by your important teaching skills.

[@kindwaychasing]

Oh, thank you, teacher. You are really something good.

[@allenmagdaraog6047]

Hi Ms. Emma! This is the day I first watched and I just discovered your video randomly. I can see that you are real and passionate teacher! Please continue your mission of helping non-native English speakers (like me) to achieve a better opportunity. Hope to meet you in the future! Regards! 😊

[@yvonguillaume1975]

If everybody I meet on my way speaks clearly like this teacher, I won't have any difficulty to understand english.

[@esahabib4843]

Amazing. I'm an employee from Saudi Arabia and a new to your channel. This is the fourth lesson I listen to. Your teaching passion can easily be noticed teacher Emma. It attracted and encouraged me to promptly subscribe to your channel.

[@douglasmoratorres6745]

Current and useful topic, nicely delivered, great teacher. You are getting better and better, thanks Emma!

[@mentorpowerbi4451]

I am from Indonesia Emma, thanks you have helped me a lot improving my english. Few months ago i'd really not confident to make conversation with english to anyone. Then i watched your videos esspecially this one and then tried to do directly used the method of FORD with foreign or tourist. I have lived in Yogyakarta, one of best travel destination in Indonesia. So, i can easly find international tourist here. I tried to start speaking with them based on your advice then i feel I have significantly improved lately. Wish you always be great Emma!

[@prakashk4931]

excellent teacher, I was searching 10 years to find better English channel in KZbin..today I got it ..thank you very much madam

[@davidcarranza]

Thanks Emma, I'll use the FORD method in my conversations especially when a meet new people.

[@alienjugakepo1415]

I think people will feel not comfort if stranger ask about his her personal life.

[@dailysoustek3407]

Thanks Emma! Your classes are very useful! God bless you

[@crazyboy-og7lh]

HELP 4 U I sub u thanks 😊

[@ilessultan4091]

@@crazyboy-og7lh How are you

[@abebebegna9621]

u are cute

[@emmanuelgasinzigwa9193]

Emma is phenomenal!

[@impossiblehousemarylandsta6266]

Emma, you said Istanbul, you won my heart. Thank you, you are a great teacher

[@jouliejean427]

Hi Emma. I can't find the he words to express my gratitude to you. you're an excellent teacher. I like the way you teach. I'm learning a lot with you. Thank you so much.

[@mohamedtalat9928]

Very informative , we are really lucky that we have a free instructor like you

[@PriscilaUliam]

Thank you Emma for the amazing tips! It is so useful!

[@longnguyen9638]

Hello Emma! You*re such a lovely English teacher. This is a lesson so useful for learners who're learning English on KZbin with Emma.Thanks a lot, sweet teacher.

[@alhdafe]

The simplism of your lectures is very nice and make the people understand quickly. Thank you Emma

[@user-vi9it7sm2k]

Thank you Emma! Great advices for making small talk. I realy love your lessons :)

[@badyG]

The best explanation I have ever seen, easy to understand and useful to a great extent In short, greatest teacher ever

[@JorgeDiaz-iq7dn]

Emma, you are really great teaching English. Since I found your videos, I try not missing any of them. You speak very clearly that I can understand every word you say. Thank you.

[@user-yt6fu8pv2d]

One of the best tutors ,I have never seen.Thanks Emma you helped me a lot.

[@user-lc7ku6je1o]

I live in Eastern Europe, and here it is also impolite to ask about money. I use to be shy when talk about the family, too. But you gave the examples of very common question which I can really ask, and I liked it.

[@SingleStepEnglish]

I think it is impolite to ask about money in most cultures.

[@SingleStepEnglish]

Nadi nadi Thank you. I did not know that.

[@LuisFernando-hy6gn]

I don't thikn so, Nadi... It migth be you have known really impolite or impulsive people, or maybe they tought there was enough confidence between you to ask.. (?) (Colombian)

[@lakhdarkya1080]

Hi Nadi nadi, finally you didn't spill the beans! How much do you earn? :-)

[@singhsardar4766]

hiii

[@aecioflavioperim2392]

I like your lessons, they are so clear. I have been following you for long.

[@regiscampos2443]

Loving these classes. Learning not only English! Thank you teacher Emma!

[@iaroslavdotsenko2279]

Thank you Emma, this is the best video about small talk I've ever seen! You rock

[@rhmanrhman4818]

I'm also a teacher of English. I enjoy your way of uttering simple, easy, and very understood sentences. Your pronunciation is another quality that makes u shine more and more. Thx 4 u my colleague, but I have a question, "is beauty much important for a teacher to make his/ her students learn better?"

[@UnitySLkdmv]

I love your elevator pitch-type lessons that can easily touch non-native English speakers like me. Thank you very much and I highly appreciate your enormous commitment in this regard. Wish you a bright future and please share more in your leisure time and waiting for you my loving teacher! Stay Blessed!

[@dianacg11]

Thank you so much teacher Emma!! I'm taking English Calsses for 6 months in USA, and your videos really help to me for understand better!! Tank you so much

[@taimkh7676]

Emma you are a star. 😃 🌠👍

[@ariyudana5605]

This video very helpful, thank you teacher Emma...

[@19891226sagawa]

This is the topic I’ve been looking for:) From Japan. I thank you. Arigatou gozaimasu;)

[@musicaenacordeonricardomen2588]

You're so kind dear Teacher. Thanks a Lot! From Querétaro city.

[@beatrisyessayan8767]

You a great teacher

[@haynguyenvan3092]

Wishing you lived near me

[@neibisn]

beatris yessayan * you're a great teacher.

[@djarwosan7853]

Yap I agree with you

[@soufianeelhabti4970]

i am looking for wife ... help me ... i want to be married ... 😭😭😭😭

[@easternboy66]

SOUFIANE El Habti *Wut the? Why did u tell us this thing*

[@mohammadheydari3298]

I wanted to learn speaking English but that was great.

[@jezieldenerdamasceno2216]

Hi Emma, thank you very much for posting these videos. They were a fantastic help for me while preparing for my IELTS test which was held on last July 8th. Results came this week and I am very hapy. My scores were: Speaking 7 Reading 8.5 Writing 7 Listening 7.5 and My overall band score is 7.5. :-) :-)

[@SuperSergiovega]

Emma I live in Toronto like you I want to thank you so much you are an amazing teacher and I like your tone of voice I think it convey peace ✌️

[@ElifPriBeauty]

Istanbul

[@aWERFRGT6545BGFG]

I can speak english fluently im from an english speaking country i jut cant talk to people due to social anxiety (im saying that I was born in australia, I am not from any other country. My social anxiety with starting conversations is why im here...Im scared of making friends sorry for the misunderstanding)

[@mohitsharma3813]

MissesKitty hello if you are fluent English speaker can you help me to improve my English i humble request to you

[@hemantrajput703]

Hlw mohit! Would U like to, go with an 🇮🇳 native speaker.. 🙃 🙃 I think we could make it better, together... Waiting for your response,,,

[@wysiwyg2489]

MissessKitty: Drop off your phone and start interacting with people instead of googling, it is fun to meet people.

[@kamalanura3867]

what you see is what you get

[@antonyalexander7890]

@@mohitsharma3813 gandu poda kunnayoli

[@fcukrazy]

Thank you for this video. I appreciate the detail you went through to explain this method. Subscribed!

[@Nat-lz6ee]

Thank you so much! I couldn't look away. This is such a qualified video and a skillful teacher. It is useful even as some good pieces of advice to have a conversation in your own native language :) You are great!

[@uttamsutariya2691]

Emma, When I go to bed at night, I ask God to give me another day; I ask him to keep me strong and make me a good teacher and to keep spreading this right word.

[@DriveIgor]

you d better believe in your own. Only your power, persistence and faith in what you do and what you want to do matter. Set your brain free from the gods, like other inhabitants on the Earth are.

[@dsfassfd7686]

Drivelgor and end up in hell

[@IbarraAlejandro]

@@dsfassfd7686 hell doesn't exist. It's all in our mind we don't know where we go after we die.

[@michaeldeleon9887]

@@IbarraAlejandro Atheist shut up

[@Dodge5100]

Incredible how emma passion voice calms myself. I Can hear her for hours, its só cute

[@oksanadudnyk363]

Thanks a lot for your lessons! I'm Ukrainian and these help me to learn English more fluently))

[@itrig7679]

The best "About" i've heard in my life

[@farhanayasmin3800]

amazing!!!!

[@sahin9266]

Greeting from istanbul ✌

[@nguyennhatminh1704]

That's just awesome. I always have nothing to talk with strangers. This really helps. Thank you so much for your sharing.

[@gizachewgenemo1041]

Really thank you emma

[@wanderleyteacherbrasil573]

I really do love when Emma talks. I can understand all. Her English is really awesome.

[@leticiacuevaszepeda8607]

You are an excelent teacher and beautiful girl. Your english is clear and easy to understand, all your videos are outstanding and amazing. Thank very much from Mexico city God bless you.

[@macarioanaya5364]

Leticia Cuevas Zepeda ...hello lety..i live in state of mexico..and you??

[@leticiacuevaszepeda8607]

Hello Macario I live in Mexico city, could you please tell me about your hobbies?

[@macarioanaya5364]

Leticia Cuevas Zepeda..hello good night..i'm so glad because you write me..by the way, i really don't have a lovely hobby..but i can tell you that i like watch movies at home..my favorite movies are...the english patient...the reader...la la land...5 persons you found in the heaven...captain on sea and land...the madison's bridge..and others movies ( have you seen someone of these??) Recently i like to see tutorials about to learn english like..this channel and eat.sleep.dream english with teacher tom..he's a great men..i have to confess you it: i love british english accent. Finally, i love read historic novels..but lately i don't read so much...because the books are so expensive.... and what about you..can you tell me on your hobbies please...😊

[@ziauddinofficial6998]

U both r telling lie. Ur English is broken and u claim to be living in Mexico. How is it possible?

[@TheYangfrancis]

Great thankyou

[@loannguyen5169]

francis yang recreation

[@ricksanchez525]

francis yang I can help u?

[@aleksandrmakhotka2965]

Emma! Sometimes I listen to your lessons, learn something new. Very helpful, thank you.

[@engineerfuadmousa7665]

Great job , thank you very much Ms. Emma 👍✔

[@aleynaocal4695]

We love you very much❤

[@ricardoj.valdez4573]

me encantan tus clases Emma!!! thanks

[@sudhirraghav2452]

Really good teacher mam I don't know how to thank but say thanku

[@ricksanchez525]

Ricado j. Valdez I can help with your English?

[@papaz2dkol]

Thanks for the quality of content you constantly put out on your channel.

[@misscerbas8582]

I love this lesson you shared . Thank you so much and God bless you always

[@itsme3356]

Really good tips but to me the big problem is...begin a conversation and not found words....

[@FCR1611]

In the Brazil We also love talking about Netflix, but I think that We've watching a little bit more KZbin than Netflix or TV.

[@help4u692]

Hi Frnd plz subscribe me m new here plz support me

[@manpreetmanpreetsingh2087]

Like u so much

[@saknunsen6239]

Great tips! Congrats and thanks for sharing a very important and fun technique. :)

[@Grace-bq8qg]

I think this will help me alot to catch up with distant relatives as well as my future family-in-laws on my upcoming wedding day! Thanks Emma! 😘

[@sauquan7836]

Oh my dear, you know Radiohead :3 i have been listening to Radiohead for 6 years

[@cephtheobserver]

Asking for my fellow INTJs, when do we introduce interesting topics like Neuroplasticity or the Hadron collider? This small talk stuff is hard.

[@pilgrim5355]

Just use the FORD method bro

[@rathanlalbagriya8272]

स

[@khawarjohn6872]

Thank you dear sister Emma for this video teaching.I really enjoy it.God bless you dear sister.

[@publicspeakingbasics]

Very useful! Great acronym and elaboration of each concept. You'd be surprised how much you have in common with other people after learning about their work, hobbies, etc.

[@lordofdarkness29]

Hi Emma You are a good teacher İ love your videos They are useful But they take long time Make them shorter please Thanks😘😘😘😍😍😍 And make our English better😃😃😃

[@TheHelloKiss]

Emma, the Canadian English accent is the same to american English accent? Or more British?

[@pecas6445]

Cel Este American.

[@mitreka88]

Emma's teaching and pronunciation is too clear and simple for a native speaker. I never met a native speaker like emma.

[@broombroom5535]

Thank you Emma, you 've been so helpful! GO Go Go !

[@jefrypulinario7285]

"Emma nothing but sweetness"

[@catlovers725]

nice video!! guys SUBSCRIBE to me

[@user-ew7cv2qc5o]

Learn English at Home تعلم الإنجليزية في المنزل thank you Emma for your helping

[@wissamali741]

Emma I'm looking forward to get a Master degree, can you advice me should I take IELTS or TOEFL ?

[@anjupandey9056]

wissam ali u can do toefl if u r plan ning to study in US

[@wissamali741]

Thanks Anju, but I'm thinking to study in another country maybe Turkey or Malaysia.

[@aishaaly8168]

I love you Emma

[@patelvijaykumar8968]

OK

[@balluxlent]

aisha ali love u too

[@medkaibi7421]

i love you too aisha hahahhah :D

[@soufianeelhabti4970]

i am looking for wife ... help me ... i want to be married ... 😭😭😭😭 .... help me ... cantact me if you are intersting ... i am from morocco and i have a big penis

[@katiamariacaonguedes6429]

It's a great way to start a conversation. Thanks for the tips.

[@maygutierrez2781]

Thank you, Emma gives a wonderful lesson. May

[@ahmedsaeed2734]

Miss u so much 😉

[@crazyboy-og7lh]

Ahmed Saeed .is , she is your girl friend, that you are missing her ...

[@ibra84him]

jasbeer Singh we miss cats dogs an kind of animals and miss days whatever , missing is not just about what you think. Use your mind for thinking and talking don't use that thing 😉

[@crazyboy-og7lh]

Ibra Ali ..may God bless you bro. ..and have a nice day. ....

[@atillaugur6738]

shame ahmet shame

[@kapishamaan4015]

Ahmed Saeed this is not right

[@wpcvargas3091]

I love to be able of understand her when she is talking...

[@titalimitless9884]

Wpc Vargas it is cool, b4 i couldn't understand anyting I 'd like to suggest to you to watch tvshow prog It is useful too

[@fjorgenews]

Thank you Emma you're helping a lot. Everyday I practice shadowing by 1 hour using this videos! It is being increble.tks

[@HogwartsTR]

You are so nice! I didnt know about this method and I was dealing with anxiety about what to talk about with people. This video helped me a lot! Thank you!

[@baxtor945]

I thought Ford is one of American automobile companies..

[@zackmm5076]

I was think that too lol

[@vivaldihk]

Ford stands for: Fix or repair daily!

[@learnenglisheveryday24]

I miss you Emma

[@annahorvath849]

Thanks for this amazingly useful lesson Emma!

[@retaw540]

Emma is not just teaching eng lessons and she taught us how to get better at communication with stranger.

[@israelargentina]

I believe FORD method could be also useful in romantic dates .

[@nguyennhan4308]

I agree with you, when we have a first date, the quesion in this video help us comfortable and successful in meeting.

[@user-sb9mz7rz6b]

i miss you emma

[@jasonstevensgmn4018]

I can't thank you enough . it's really helpful to start a small conversation w my classmates. even it helps to improve my English. please keep producing more but videos.

[@missilky101]

First time watcher of your channel. Clear concise teaching 👌🏾 I’m learning French and always nervous when I meet people or wanna start conversation but don’t know how to start. I can use this. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@josevelasquez5145]

after I saw you a lot of videos before, ,now you have a beautiful long hair... ;)

[@crazyboy-og7lh]

jose domingo velasquez viloria ..are you learning English, or watching someone hair, please work on your meantlity. ..

[@leandroditzel]

Congratulations for the class. Excellent

[@rosecaballero6859]

Wow you're such an amazing teacher, I love the way you speak because I understand perfectly, I'm still learning English and I hope to become a teacher like you. I'm a Spanish speaker and sometimes it's difficult to get away the accent, but thanks for your videos you're doing an excellent job! Regards from El Salvador in Central America ☺

[@nababaryan6399]

Aileen Mancia wow then you will make teacher I learn English from you

[@berriani2779]

Aileen Mancia hi

[@berriani2779]

Aileen Mancia Hi

[@condebangalyaiba9535]

Your teaching is clear and very easy to understand. Thanks!

[@pecas6445]

1M subscribers now, because she's the greatest. ¡Congrats maestra and thanks for all the hard work!

[@zhanna4753]

Thank you Emma! This small talk topic is so helpful! I’m not a native speaker, but trying to make some friends. And sometimes just getting stuck and not sure what you can talk about besides the weather? Which topics could be appreciate to discuss with? So, yeah, appreciate that!!!👍👍

[@9260010]

I like watching Emma's videos about English lessons. They are very useful for me. Thank you so much 🏵️

[@waylonmarket]

I got some great ideas from this lessons. Don't get too much personal questions at the fist time meet up with a Stanger, make fun talk, this ford word helped me before i connect to the people and i keep this " ford " word

[@ruqaiyaimtiaz1101]

Emma i like yourteaching style which is really helpful to me i,m from Pakistan God bless you

[@ivanhaso7171]

Lovely teaching style Emma! Well done!

[@humber5295]

Thank you teacher Emma for the amazing tips! It's so useful! I really appreciate it.

[@ppatsyy]

It's a very useful video, not only I learned the method of how to make small talk (FORD), but also the skill of how to connect with not so familiar people. Thank you, Emma!

[@balluxlent]

Panhsuan Huang your wc...keep supporting Emma ma'am....I'm giving this answer on the behalf of Emma ma'am.