Talking in English Speaking Out Rina de Vries

Talking in English: Speaking Out Rina de Vries r. devries@bham. ac. uk

Welcome! In this workshop, we will consider: • Why speaking English can be difficult. • What you can do to become more fluent. And… we will do plenty of speaking!

What can make speaking difficult?

Difficulty 1: listening A conversation is only 50% YOU. The other 50%. . . ?

If you don’t understand what someone is saying, it is difficult to reply. • Decoding: individual words & main message • Speed of the other speaker • Accents Fastest talking female Geordie Accent

So what can you do? Step 1 • Practise listening every day: 10 – 15 minutes. • Learn phrases for when you don’t understand. XQQQQME?

Useful phrases • • • I do not quite follow. Excuse me? I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that. Could you repeat that, please? Could you say that again, please? Could you slow down a bit, please? Do you mean…? If I understand correctly, …? Could you rephrase that, please?

Difficulty 2: vocabulary “What I mean is… uh……. that thingy that sort of does something when you do a kind of… I mean…”

So what can you do? Step 2 • Learn new vocabulary and revise regularly. • Use a “filler” > gives you time to think. • Rephrase: use words you do know. • Activate your existing vocabulary.

Activating vocabulary - Running commentary in your head - Word games: mind maps, puzzles, crosswords… running commentary https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=SESJt. Qxbmm. E

Difficulty 3: grammar

What can you do? Step 3 • Do NOT worry about mistakes. We all make them. • You are a learner: you are allowed to make mistakes. Lucky you!

But do… • Improve your grammar & vocabulary by reading. • Tip: choose something you like!

Difficulty 4: pronunciation – pronunciation

So what can you do? Step 4 • Again: do your listening! • Practise your pronunciation (10 -15 min. a day): - concentrated practice - fluency (reading aloud)

Difficulty 5: confidence

Step 5 • Speak! Practice makes perfect. • Set up a discussion group. • Skype with someone in English.

Non-stop talking • Choose a topic and speak about it for as long as you can. • Your partner will time how long you speak. • Silences do not count, so use a “filler”!

Speaking game • Pretend you are meeting for the first time. • Start a conversation and try to slip in the sentence you have been given (try to sound natural). • Your partner has to spot which sentence you were given. Talk together for at least 3 minutes. You’ll get: • 1 point for spotting your partner’s sentence. • 2 points for slipping in your own sentence without the other person noticing it.

So to become more fluent, you need to…. • • • Do plenty of listening Use fillers to give you time to think Activate your vocabulary Read as much as you can Practise your pronunciation & read aloud Not worry about making mistakes • But most of all…

Speak out!