Speaking Skill
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Humor:
Definition:
Speaking is the second language skill. This
vocalized form of language usually requires at least
one listener.
When two or more people speak or
talk to each other, the conversation is
called a
"dialogue". Speech can flow naturally from one
person to
another in the form of dialogue.
It can also be planned and rehearsed,
as in the
delivery of a speech or presentation. Of course,
some people
talk to themselves! In fact, some
English learners practice speaking standing alone
in front of a mirror.
1-Language Functions:
Language
functions refer to the purposes in which
we use language to
communicate. We use
language for
a variety of formal and informal
purposes,
and specific grammatical structures
and vocabulary are often used with
each
language function. Some examples of language
functions include:
1-Compare, contrast and preference.
2-Persuasion.
3-Asking and replying.
4-Expressing likes and dislikes.
5-Cause and effect.
6-Request, permission, offer, expressing worry,
sorrow or pain.
7-Sequencing, suggesting and replying.
8-Predicting, advising and warning.
9-Agreeing / disagreeing.
10-Greeting people/introduction.
11-Wishing, apologizing, thanking, congratulating
and blaming.
12-Asking for and giving opinion or information.
2-Mini-Dialogues:
A- Demonstrate this pair work writing activity with
you as student A and the rest of the class as student
B. Write the first line of a dialogue on the board.
E.g. Did you do anything interesting last night?
Ask students to count how many words you’ve
used (7).
Elicit a response from any student, to continue the
dialogue, but with 6 words . E.g. Not really, I was at
home.
Continue the dialogue with a 5-word sentence; e.g.
Were you at home alone? Elicit a 4-word sentence,
etc.
Continue until the mini dialogue concludes with
one word.
B- Students repeat the activity in pairs:
A and B.
Students should write the first line of a dialogue using
seven words. The hey should exchange papers and
both students should continue their partner’s
dialogue using six words, etc.
Each pair is writing two mini dialogues at the same
time. Point out that contractions such as don’t’, count
as two words. When students finish, check the
dialogues for errors and get students to make any
necessary changes.
Students
are often curious to read each other’s mini
dialogues so you might like
to display them on the
wall for everyone to read.
3-Retelling a story and doing a feedback.
4-Self expression and giving opinion.
5-Doing debates and conferences.
6-Making telephone calls.
7-Doing chats.
8-Working in pairs, in peers, one asks and one
answers.
9-Order the scrambled dialogue or story.
10-Speak and draw.
11-Speak to do warm up or act the scene.
12-Speak to sing and play the game.
13-Encourage students to ask follow up questions
and try to have a conversation.
14-Role cards and brain storming,
15-Students work together to resolve a problem, or
complete a task.
16-Exercises:
Listen and speak/ Look and speak
/Watch and speak / Write and speak / Read and
speak
/ Do and speak / Speak to evaluate.
17-Speak for free practice and drill.
