Spoken discourse is the exchange of ideas through speech. An idea can be communicated with just one word. In fact, utterance is the basic unit of spoken discourse and can include something as simple as a word like "but" (Curzan and Adams, p. 237).In order to communicate effectively, one must not only have proper pronunciation, intonation, and stress, one also must understand how to accomplish actions with words. Although we are often not aware of it, we communicate not just with the content of our words, but also with our word choice and tone. ELL students must learn how to use different formal and informal English registers in order to be successful in work, school, and personal lives.
Students must learn to evaluate the listener or audience. What kind of words should be used? Are you speaking to a friend or a boss? Are you at your workplace or at a party? Also, students to consider what outcome they would like from the communication. Do you want to demonstrate friendship or deference?
Other elements of communication, include eye contact, body language, intonation, and use of silence or discourse markers.
Students must learn to evaluate the listener or audience. What kind of words should be used? Are you speaking to a friend or a boss? Are you at your workplace or at a party? Also, students to consider what outcome they would like from the communication. Do you want to demonstrate friendship or deference?
Other elements of communication, include eye contact, body language, intonation, and use of silence or discourse markers.
Polite Speech |
It is important that students understand how to engage in polite speech. Many students pick up an informal register by speaking with peers and classmates. But when is this inappropriate? It is beneficial to teach students explicitly about titles, such as "ma'am" or "sir" and how to phrase polite questions with the correct modals, such as " Would you like" vs. " Do you want". Students can role-play various situations, such as talking to a customer in a restaurant or deciding on a television show to watch with a friend.
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Resources |
Google Voice is a great way for students to practice leaving voice messages for various purposes, while keeping the teacher's personal phone number confidential. Teachers can adjust the voicemail message to signify various registers, such as "inquire about a job" or "ask about the parent teacher conference date". You can then listen and evaluate the students' use of polite or informal language.
Students can also video-tape themselves during role-play and constructively critique the performance. Was it polite or impolite? What message was communicated? Here is an example of an video produced by students in our Advanced Class. The principles of nonviolent communication are important for teachers to consider in the classroom. How are students communicating with one another, especially during a disagreement or conflict? The Center for Nonviolent Communication has great resources that help teachers consider how to use language for a peaceful outcomes in the classroom. |