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
    • Description, etc.
  • 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

3.2 In the classroom: Rubrics, a sample evaluation scale

  • c.f. Textbook Page 112
  • More detailed discussion in our next session on writing

 

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sound1

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