Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Getting English Language Learners to Speak


Using Substitution Dialogues for Interactive Speaking Practice


English Speaking Practice Dialogues

Whether you are using a course book-based English as a foreign language curriculum or not, preparing speaking dialogues can be a highly effective means of generating speech in class. Although most English language teaching course books contain grammar-based practice dialogues, preparing more authentic dialogues for integrated vocabulary and grammar practice has numerous benefits. If you want to reinforce social introduction skills, for example, incorporating colloquial elements into a prepared dialogue can prove to be very useful for your foreign language learners.
In the early weeks of a semester, I frequently have lower and intermediate English language learners use substation dialogues for integrated speaking practice. That is to say, important information is included in a prepared dialogue, which although not quite authentic, incorporates key information and linguistic skills as in the following dialogue example.

A: Hi, my name is Larry. What’s your name?
B: Hi, my name is Sandra.
A: Nice to meet you Sandra.
(learners shake hanks at this point)
B: Nice to meet you too Larry. What’s your last name?
A: My last name is Lynch. What’s your last name?
B: My last name is Perez. How do you spell your last name?
A: It’s L-Y-N-C-H. How do you spell your last name?
B: It’s P-E-R-E-Z. Where are you from Larry?
A: I’m from Pennsylvania in the United States. Where are you from Sandra?
B: I’m from Cali, Colombia. What’s your telephone number?
A: It’s 324 – 4525 What’s your telephone number?
B: It’s 446 – 3870
A: Okay, got it. See you later, Sandra.
B: Okay, see you later.

In this dialogue, the English language learners will need to substitute their own name, telephone and hometown information as they address and practice with others. You can have one learner take role A and the other role B, then have the role B learner take role A when the next learner comes up to practice speaking. This can continue with each learner doing both roles during two practice turns. Alternatively, learners can practice in individual pairs if the class is a large one.

This dialogue allows the English language learners to practice saying:

• numbers and telephone and cellular phone numbers
• where they are from
• the alphabet as they spell their last name
• names of other people as a memory aid

English Speaking Practice and Social Skills

Learners also practice introducing themselves, shaking hands as a greeting (which is not typically done in some countries and regions). I’ve found this to be an effective, well-received means for my English as a foreign language learners to begin developing speaking and listening comprehension skills from their very first class.

If you’re using a course book based series such as Interchange (Jack C. Richards, CUP), you may have the added benefit of video conversation examples as well to aid even further in rounding out and deepening English as a foreign language communicative skills. So whether you are using a course book-based English as a foreign language curriculum or not, preparing speaking dialogues can be a highly effective means of generating speech in class.





Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Foreign Language Speaking Fluency in Twi and English

Developing Fluency in Foreign Language Speech

One of the most sought-after foreign language skills is that of fluency in speaking. A number of effective methods are currently in practical use but this one as illustrated in the following video offer a unique twist on common practice. That is, the phrase is first presented in English by a native English speaker. Then the phrase in the target foreign language, Twi from Ghana, is pronounced by three native speakers of Twi (also known as Akan). Each foreign language native speaker pronounces the phrase is a different manner and speed expanding the foreign language learner and listener's listening comprehension skills.

Regional English Varieties of the USA

Think about this: A commonly spoken American English phrase like "Hi, how are you?" will sound somewhat different when spoken by native English speakers from different regions and backgrounds of the USA. Distinctive regional speech is quite noticeable by even limited proficiency English language learners from areas such as North eastern or "Bostonian" English. Mid-Atlantic regional English (which is what I speak), the Southern regional English of states from Virginia to Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas; the "Texas Drawl" of Texas and parts of Louisiana or the flat-vowelled English pronunciation of the mid-western USA, among other distinctive regional English varieties of the USA.

Providing Foreign Language Learning Examples

Providing English as a foreign language learners with concurrent examples of common usage speech could actually go a long ways towards accelerating development of listening comprehension and colloquial speech pronunciation. Samples as needed can be gleaned from the internet, YouTube and other video repository sites, movies and music, depending on what you need and to what extent. Historical footage of speeches, oratory and documentary clips of famous people can also expand the repertoire of the enterprising foreign language learner or aspiring English language teaching professional.

Check out this sample video to see how this is accomplished in actual practice. Remember, if you have access to native English or other foreign language speakers, you can also film your own pronunciation videos and post them online for others to appreciate, enjoy and use.

Watch this foreign language pronunciation Video:




Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.