Television and newspapers are key elements of the culture of any country, providing news and information, as well as entertainment and education. Being able to speak fluently about these topics opens an important door of social interaction for learners of English, and this month's e-lesson is designed to help them do exactly that.

The subject of this lesson is the English language. It has been estimated that around 750 million people around the world speak English as a foreign language.

This podcast interview with Bob Dignen looks at the problems students have with starting a conversation and building rapport in English, and suggests guidelines for teaching these vital social skills.

Many students have significant problems with listening. The speed of utterances, the reduced forms of natural English, the use of intonation for meaning, and unfamiliar accents, all take their toll and it is essential to give learners at all levels plenty of practice.