Note 9 Speaking
(Last updated: 10/23/2024)
1. What is speaking
1.1 The sound system
- Phonetics: Sounds of the language
- Phonology: Stress and intonation
- Syntax and discourse
- Written vs. spoken language
- Non-verbal
- The use of discourse markers, blank fillers
- Pauses
- Fluency
1.2 Phonetics
1.3 Linguistic functions
- Expressing
- Thanks, requirements, comments, etc.;
- Narrating
- Sequence of events, story telling, etc.;
- Eliciting
- Directions, information, clarification, etc.;
- Directing
- Ordering instruction, warning, advising, etc.;
- Reporting
- Lecturing
- Explaining, defining, etc.
- ...
2. How to teach speaking
The goal of instruction is to provide many opportunities for students to
speak.
2.1 Activities that promote speaking
(c.f.,
http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Kayi-TeachingSpeaking.html)
- Discussions
- Role play
- Simulation
- Information gap
- Brain storming
- Story telling
- Interview
- Story completion/summary
- Playing games, e.g., crossword puzzle
- Picture describing/narrating
2.2 Issues in teaching speaking
- Silent period, when to 'force' learners to talk: Delayed production
- Role model: Foreign talk, teacher talk, peer talk
- Speech rate
- Accent/pronunciation and fluency
2.3 Tools
3. Speaking proficiency assessment
3.1 An example: ACTFL proficiency guidelines, OPI
c.f. https://www.actfl.org/assessments/postsecondary-assessments/opi
- Five levels: ...
- The Oral Proficiency Interview
- Phase 1: Warm-up
- Phase 2: Level check
- Phase 3: Probes
- Phase 4: Wind-down
- Example:
3.2 In the classroom: Rubrics, a sample evaluation scale
- c.f. Textbook Page 112
- More detailed discussion in our next session on writing
ppt
sound1
sound2