Changing the Subject - Functional Language
Practise changing the subject at A2–B1 level with useful phrase patterns and short situation-based responses. A separate page of suggested answers supports checking and discussion of other appropriate responses.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Useful phrase patterns
- Situation-based response practice
- Space for written responses
- Suggested answers on page 2
Introduce a new conversational topic while showing whether it connects to the previous one.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 2 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 2 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Give learners page 1 and keep the suggested answers on page 2 for discussion after they write.
- Compare Talking of… and That reminds me… with an unrelated By the way… or On another subject….
- Write transitions for the eight situations, including the new question rather than a bare linking phrase.
- Practise a short exchange about music or weekend plans and notice whether the transition sounds abrupt.
Support and extension
Offer old topic/new topic pairs. Extend by acknowledging a friend's difficulty before changing subjects. Accept natural alternatives; Let's talk about something else can sound dismissive without appropriate context and tone.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
