DEVELOPING YOUR SPOKEN ENGLISH SKILLS

 

make different types of contributions to groups, adapting their speech to their listeners and the activity	In a formal situation you might use words and phrases like: however, on the other hand, in fact, despite this … In an informal situation you might say, so, let’s see, all right	Set up different situations – chair a meeting; give a presentation to students in a different group (nerve-wracking but good practice); have an informal conversation; role-play a complaint in a shop
take different views into account and modify their own views in the light of what others say	State your views on an issue - listen to someone else’s viewpoint– summarise the main points – restate what they have said – express your opinions taking account of their ideas. You might use phrases like on that point, I agree that, it’s not completely true that, I can’t agree that …–	Choose topics you feel strongly about. Discuss them informally; hold a class debate. Practise listening for the main points. Notice how people link ideas together. Use newspapers, magazines and other media to develop your knowledge on controversial issues
sift, summarise and use the most important points	Listen to a person’s viewpoint; summarise what they have said in a few key points; ignore the less important parts. For example, listen for key points but ignore their examples. The examples will be there to illustrate the main point; for a summary you won’t need them	Spend time listening to different contexts – eg news reporters, people in class talking, assemblies. Mentally practise summarising their main points.
take different roles in the organisation, planning and sustaining of groups	You might: Chair a discussion Contribute ideas Listen and then respond to what other people say Use phrases to keep a discussion moving Use phrases to change a topic	Ask your English teacher about her/his experience of successful/unsuccessful meetings. Watch some meetings take place. Make notes on the different roles people take.
help the group to complete its tasks by varying contributions appropriately, clarifying and synthesising others' ideas, taking them forward and building on them to reach conclusions, negotiating consensus or agreeing to differ.	Play an active part in discussions – summarise; list main points; change the topic; draw someone else into the conversation; stop talking to listen; encourage people to alter their opinions	Practise holding meetings!

SPOKEN ENGLISH: DEVELOPING YOUR GROUP-WORK SKILLS

NATIONAL CURRICULUM SKILLS	EVALUATING YOUR OWN PERFORMANCE
make different types of contributions to groups, adapting their speech to their listeners and the activity
take different views into account and modify their own views in the light of what others say
sift, summarise and use the most important points
take different roles in the organisation, planning and sustaining of groups
help the group to complete its tasks by varying contributions appropriately, clarifying and synthesising others' ideas, taking them forward and building on them to reach conclusions, negotiating consensus or agreeing to differ.