Use appropriate backchannels in conversations (e.g. so, well, right, uh-huh, wow, yeah, really)

• uh-huh – shows you understand
• yeah – agrees or shows you are listening
• right – confirms you follow what is being said
• wow – shows surprise or excitement
• really – shows interest or surprise
• well – pauses to think before speaking
• so – continues or summarizes what was said

Backchannels show the speaker that you are:

1. Listening carefully
2. Understanding what they are saying
3. Interested in the conversation

When we do not use backchannels, speakers may feel we are not paying attention.

Seller: Good morning! How can I help you?

Customer: Good morning. I need a new mathematics textbook.

Seller: We have Standard VI textbooks. This one costs TZS 15,000.

Customer: Wow, that is a good price!

Seller: Right, it is the latest edition.

Customer: Really? Let me see it.

Seller: Here you are.

Customer: Yeah, this looks good. I will take it.

In this dialogue, the customer uses "wow," "right," "really," and "yeah" to show they are listening and interested. The seller uses "right" to confirm information.

Try these role-plays with a partner:

Scenario 1: Booking a Table at a Restaurant

• One student pretends to call a restaurant to reserve a table
• The other student works at the restaurant
• Use backchannels like "right," "yeah," and "so" during the conversation

Scenario 2: Asking for Directions

• One student asks for directions to a bus station
• The other student gives directions
• Use backchannels like "uh-huh," "right," and "well" to show you understand

• Use backchannels naturally, not too often
• Match the backchannel to the situation – say "wow" for exciting news, "right" for confirming information
• Listen carefully so you can respond with the right backchannel

In Tanzania, you use backchannels every day when buying things at the market, asking for directions to a maktaba or posmani, or talking to a mwandishi at the bank. For example, when you ask a mama mdudu at the maskani how much mangoes cost and she says "TZS 2,000," you might say "Wow, that's expensive!" or "Yeah, okay" – these backchannels help the conversation feel natural and friendly.