Engage in Different Types of Interaction (Conversation, Short Talk, Interview)

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • Engage in different types of interaction including conversations, short talks, and interviews
  • Conduct interviews using transactional conversations to exchange factual information
  • Give short talks by describing events, providing reasons, and explaining opinions
  • Participate in conversations by discussing topics and describing abstract ideas and opinions
  • Use a range of interactive skills: initiating, responding, asking for clarification, clarifying meaning, and turn-taking

Main Content

https://cambridgeassistant.com

What Are Types of Interaction?

Interaction means communicating back and forth with another person or group of people. In speaking, there are three main types of interaction you need to master:

  1. Interviews
  2. Short talks
  3. Conversations

Each type has its own purpose and requires different skills.

1. Interviews

An interview is a formal or semi-formal exchange where one person asks questions and another person answers them. Interviews are usually transactional – this means they focus on getting and giving specific factual information.

Key Features of Interviews:

  • Purpose: To gather or provide factual information (dates, names, facts, details)
  • Structure: Question and answer format
  • Tone: Can be formal or semi-formal
  • Your role: You might be the interviewer (asking questions) or the interviewee (answering questions)

Examples of Interview Topics:

  • A job interview
  • An interview about a school event
  • An interview gathering information about someone's hobby
  • An interview for a school newspaper

What You Need to Do in Interviews:

If you're the interviewer:

  • Ask clear, direct questions
  • Listen carefully to the answers
  • Ask follow-up questions to get more details
  • Example: "Can you tell me when the event starts?" or "How long have you been doing this activity?"

If you're the interviewee:

  • Give clear, complete answers with factual information
  • Provide specific details (names, dates, numbers)
  • Stay focused on the question being asked
  • Example: "The event starts at 3 PM on Friday, 15th March" (not just "Friday afternoon")

Sign in to view full notes