Transcript Teaching language for communication: an action

Teaching language for
communication: an actionoriented approach
Mark Hancock
For video of authors Mark Hancock and Annie McDonald explaining principles
behind course book “English Result”, see:
http://www.oupeltpromo.com/englishresult/
An action-oriented approach
Presenting the subject
matter so that students
can see that it is action
(communication) as
opposed to just knowledge
(of a system of rules)
Teaching a balanced
syllabus which includes
various communicative
language competences,
not just words and
grammar.
The grammar ladder
An action-oriented approach:
approach:
attempts “to define the
sees the teacher’s
minimum that a language
responsibility as being “to
learner should know and be
build up the learner’s
able to do in order to
knowledge of grammatical move as an independent
structure from the simple agent in the foreign
to the complex and
language environment…”
vocabulary from the most
common to the less
common items, seeing their
use as entirely the
responsibility of the
individual learner.”
(Quotes from article by John Trim
describing how he and his team
developed “Threshold” in:
http://www.englishprofile.org/ )
COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE COMPETENCES…
Verbal exchange patterns: a conversation frame…
Start
Are you doing
anything on
Friday
evening?
Well, I'm a bit
busy
actually…
Why?
Do you fancy
going for a
drink?
What are you
doing at the
weekend?
Oh, nothing
much. Why?
I'm having a
party. Do you
want to
come?
I'd rather not. I
have to get up
early in the
morning…
Well, I'm
going out on
Saturday but
I'm free on
Friday.
How about
going out for
dinner?
Well, I'd prefer Ok then.
not to. I'm on Maybe some
a diet.
other time…
Would you
I'd love to.
like to come
What time?
round and see
my holiday
photos?
Let's meet
around 8
o'clock.
Finish
Text organization: paragraph structure
“People who take unnecessary risks shouldn't receive free
health care”.
(extract from essay – 3rd paragraph out of 4)
Personally, I disagree with this point of view because it's difficult to say
exactly what is risky and what is not. For instance, not doing enough
exercise is probably more risky than skiing in the long term. So it isn't fair to
give free health care to an inactive person and make the skier pay.
A paragraph plan…
a. State a fact or argument.
b. Show what you mean,eg give an example
c. State the implications of the fact or argument.
Which step is missing?
1. Not all medical treatment is really necessary for the health of the patient.
The taxpayer should not have to pay the costs of such treatment.
2. There are some aspects of health care which are not covered by the
national health system. For instance, in my country, dental work is not
covered.
3. For example, fire-fighters take risks, but they are necessary risks.
Obviously, these people should receive free medical treatment if they are
hurt on the job.
Pragmatic force: interpreting signs and notices…
Danger of Suffocation
I bought a new TV the other day and as I removed the various layers of
packaging from the product, I noticed this warning on a large plastic bag, "To
avoid suffocation, keep away from children". Since reading this message, I've
been so worried that I've been keeping away from children in order to avoid
being suffocated.
Do not wash
in hot water
NO
DOGS
EATING
BICYCLES
Keep away from children.
We don’t
change
underwear
Shoes are
required to
eat inside
Fine for
littering!
Empty when full
Remove top before
standing in microwave
No exit for passengers
Now serving live lobsters
Level of formality: mixed messages…
Stand up
straight!
In you go!
Would you mind
stepping this way
please?
Stop right
there!
Sorry to
trouble
you.
Would you
mind
answering
a few
questions?
Sorry to keep you
waiting. Would you
like to come through
now?
Tactfulness: refusing invitations
Des and Jen are teenagers working in a burger
bar...
Des:
Are you doing anything tonight?
Jen:
Oh, well I'm a bit busy actually…
Des:
Jen:
Des:
Jen:
I'm going to see 'Bats' at the cinema.
Would you like to come?
I'd like to but I can't. I've got to study
for an exam.
Oh come on! I bet you'll enjoy it! I'll
collect you from your house at 7:30.
That's very kind of you, but really…
Des:
Jen:
Ok, I'll wait and we can go tomorrow.
I'm sorry, but I'm meeting some friends
tomorrow.
Des:
Jen:
Ok, will you go out with me next week?
I'll think about it, ok? Can I help you?
Oh no – I think
he wants to ask
me out!
I'd rather
eat mud!
If you come near
my house, I'll call
the police!
I’d prefer to sit in
a box of fish!
Politeness: a respectful email…
Dear Antonia
I hope you are home safely. I had a great time away, and I was delighted to find a lovely
box of chocolates in my room when I got back! Thank you very much for those. Was
everything OK for you here in the hall of residence? Were you comfortable in my room?
The campus is very pleasant this time of year, isn't it? Did you have chance to explore
the town?
I'm sorry to bother you with this, but I've got a couple of questions for you. Did you use
my computer while you were here? It's fine if you did, but I'm a bit worried because
whenever I switch it on, I keep getting a strange error message, and my files seem to
have been erased. Don't worry - fortunately, I've got back up copies, but I was wondering
if you’d had a problem with the computer?
My other question is about the key to the laundry room. As you know, I normally keep
the key on a hook behind the wardrobe door, but I can't seem to find it. Do you know
where it might be?
Well, that's all for now. I hope that we may actually meet one day - maybe next year?
All the best
Asha
Hey Toni - what on earth have you done to my
computer?! I'm sick to death of these error messages and
my files have all disappeared. And another thing - where
have you put the key to the laundry room? I've been
searching high and low for it!
Asha
Formal register: public notices…
In order to help us improve our
service, guests are kindly requested
to complete the feedback form.
Walkers and climbers are
kindly requested to remove
their boots before entering.
You are cordially invited to join us in
celebrating the wedding of Joseph
Brice and Linda Jarvis, to be held at
Visitors are kindly requested
to leave coats and umbrellas in
the cloakroom located near the
main entrance.
Delegates are warmly invited to
join us for an opening cocktail in
the lobby, Weds 8pm
Passengers requiring lunch are
invited to make their way to the
restaurant car.
Formal announcements…
1 often use verbs in the passive. are requested
2 sometimes use adverbs. kindly
3 often use a plural noun. guests
a. to show who is being addressed.
b. to make it less personal by not mentioning who is announcing.
c. to show how something is said, as a substitute for tone of voice.