Managing Discourse and Using Functions

Aim: Relevance to CPE: Materials needed: to check understanding of discourse features and functions in general and as used in the test Speaking paper Worksheet

1. Make two columns on the board headed 'Discourse Features' and 'Functions' 2. Ask the whole group what the think these terms might mean. !. "i#e them some e$amples to help them understand% e.g. under Discourse Features% write 'turn&taking'% 'asking 'uestions'% and under Functions write 'suggesting'% 'talking about past e$perience'% 'finding out information'% and e$plain briefl the difference. Ask them to add an others the can to the lists on the board. (. )and out the worksheet & one each or one between two. *$plain the acti#it and ask them to do it in pairs and then to compare their answers with another pair. +. When all ha#e finished% go through the answers asking different groups what answers the ga#e before ou sa if the are correct or not. ,he answers could be put onto an -),.

Managing Discourse and Using Functions - Answers

.Some of the group ma ha#e different answers% for e$ample/ the ma rightl think that 'asking for repetition' could appl to situation 1. ,his is fine as this task can be used to generate discussion and heighten awareness of the language choices we make.0 1. 2. !. (. +. 4. 5. 6. 8. 1:. .c0 Asking for clarification .d0 Asking for repetition .e0 Disagreeing1 suggesting alternati#es .g0 2nterrupting politel .b0 Asking for 3 gi#ing our opinions1 de#eloping the opinions of others .a0 Asking and responding to 'uestions about personal life and interests .f0 "i#ing ad#ice1 comparing and contrasting1 e#aluating .i0 7araphrasing1 e$plaining in a different wa .90 ,urn&taking1 re&directing the discussion1 interrupting politel 1 initiating and responding1 in#iting inter#entions from others .h0 ;istening carefull to others1 organising ideas1 reporting

Managing Discourse and Using Functions - Worksheet

A 1. 2. !. (. +. 4. 5. 6. 8. Read these real-li!e situations "n #airs decide what $ou would% or should% do or sa$ i! $ou were in each situation Someone is tr ing to e$plain their idea to ou but the are not being #er clear and ou can't reall understand. <ou are on our mobile phone and the signal starts to fade so ou miss the last thing the person said. A colleague is tr ing to fi$ a meeting for a da them and gi#e another date. ou know is not good for most people. ,ell

<ou're in a hurr and 9ust as ou are lea#ing a colleague stops ou to chat about her holida . <ou are discussing a #er contro#ersial sub9ect with some friends o#er lunch. <ou want to pick up a point someone has made and sa what ou think. <ou are at a part and a friend introduces ou to her cousin from Australia. She then goes awa and ou sta talking to her cousin. A friend's cousin from o#erseas wants to stud or work in our countr for 4 months and has asked ou for ad#ice on how to go about this. <ou are gi#ing a talk at work or college in *nglish and suddenl something important. ou forget the name of

<ou're in a nois % disorganised meeting and e#er one% including ou% has got something to sa .

1:. A colleague is going to make a presentation and ou'#e been asked to comment on it afterwards% summarising their ideas and suggestions.

& a0 b0 c0 d0 e0 f0 g0 h0 i0 90

'ow decide what $ou need to (e a(le to do in English in these situations ($ matching the discourse !eatures and !unctions (elow to each situation Asking and responding to 'uestions about personal life and interests Asking for 3 gi#ing our opinions1 de#eloping the opinions of others Asking for clarification Asking for repetition Disagreeing1 suggesting alternati#es "i#ing ad#ice1 comparing and contrasting1 e#aluating 2nterrupting politel ;istening carefull to others1 organising ideas1 reporting 7araphrasing1 e$plaining in a different wa ,urn&taking1 re&directing the discussion1 interrupting politel 1 initiating and responding1 in#iting inter#entions from others