MODULE 3: SPEAKING

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Define Speaking and Speaking Skills

2. Discuss Elements of Speaking Skills
3. Explain the Importance of Speaking
4. Define Types of Speaking
5. Discuss Useful Language in: Agreeing and Disagreeing, giving opinions, giving
information or explanations, giving reasons, giving examples, comparing and contrasting
ideas and opinions and drawing conclusions
6. Explain Phrasal Verbs in Dealing with a Problem
7. Define Advantage and Disadvantage
8. Discuss Advice and Phrases to be used when Giving an Advice
9. Define Persuading
10. Discuss the Episode 7 “Who will get the Job?” of Learning English by British Council
11. Practice Speaking activities with ease and accuracy

INTRODUCTION

What is Speaking?

Speaking is the delivery of language through the mouth. To speak, we create sounds
using many parts of our body, including the lungs, vocal tract, vocal chords, tongue, teeth and
lips.

This vocalized form of language usually requires at least one listener. When two or more
people speak or talk to each other, the conversation is called a "dialogue". Speech can flow
naturally from one person to another in the form of dialogue. It can also be planned and
rehearsed, as in the delivery of a speech or presentation. Of course, some people talk to
themselves! In fact, some English learners practise speaking standing alone in front of a mirror.

Speaking is probably the language skill that most language learners wish to perfect as
soon as possible. It used to be the only language skill that was difficult to practise online. This is
no longer the case. English learners can practise speaking online using voice or video chat and
services like Skype. They can also record and upload their voice for other people to listen to.

Speaking Skills

The ability to speak confidently and fluently is something which children will develop
during their time at school, and something that will help them throughout their life.

Speaking skills are defined as the skills which allow us to communicate effectively. They
give us the ability to convey information verbally and in a way that the listener can understand.
 Speaking is an interactive process where information is shared, and if necessary, acted
upon by the listener. So, it’s important to develop both speaking and listening skills in order to
communicate effectively.

Elements of Speaking Skills

1. Vocabulary

To develop our speaking skills, we first need to know the right words. Vocabulary
development begins when we are infants, as we learn to describe the world around us and
communicate our needs. This progresses from single words to sentences when children are 2 or
3, at which point they will normally have a vocabulary of 150-300 words.

Vocabulary development is where students understand the meanings and pronunciations

of words necessary for communication. When they understand what a word means, they can
check what the word or sentence means. This is so important so they can keep up a conversation.
If they understand what the other person is saying and they know what vocabulary to say back,
they are halfway there to communicating effectively.

2. Grammar

You may think that grammar is something we only need for written language. But
grammar includes lots of important areas for spoken language such as an understanding of tenses
and the correct way to structure sentences. Grammar helps us to convey information in a way
that the listener will recognize and understand.

3. Pronunciation

Understanding how to correctly pronounce words is another important element of speaking

skills. We learn how to pronounce words by listening to those around us, such as our parents,
friends and teachers. Pronunciation varies from country to country, and even city to city.

4. Fluency

Fluency in spoken language is something that naturally develops as children go through

school, as they are using and practicing speaking skills every day. Reading widely (and out loud)
is a good way to improve fluency as it introduces children to new vocabulary and reinforces their
knowledge of spoken language.

Fluency is the ability to hear words and understand them straight away. If they see a word
written down, they can read it aloud and pronounce it properly. Ways to develop this include
guiding your students to read passages out loud. You could also get your students to read aloud
in front of the class. This builds their confidence and also helps them to enunciate better.

The more fluent your students are in English, the more interesting, exciting and insightful
conversations they can have.
Why are speaking skills important to learn?
Speaking skills are one of the most important skills we learn, as they allow us to
communicate with others and express our thoughts and feelings. Speaking skills can be separated
into formal and informal speaking skills, and we use both types of speaking skills in a variety of
contexts throughout life.

Informal speaking skills are important for conversations with friends and family, helping
us to form emotional connections. Formal speech, on the other hand, is necessary for workplaces,
in presentations or for conversations with people you don’t know. Formal language is important
as it helps us to make a good impression on people and communicate politely.

Types of Speaking

 Informal speaking is typically used with family and friends, or people you know well.

 Formal speaking occurs in business or academic situations, or when meeting people for
the first time.

1. Useful Language in:

Useful Language in: Agreeing and Disagreeing

Here are some expressions you can use to agree and disagree. You will need to
use these expressions in a discussion activity.

Agreeing

 That’s right!
 Absolutely!
 Exactly!
 Me too!
 Yes, I agree!
 I totally agree!
 I couldn’t agree more!
 I see exactly what you mean!
 You're right. That's a good point.

Disagreeing

 I don’t agree!
 I totally disagree!
 Absolutely not!
 That’s not right!
 I’m not sure about that.
 Partly agreeing

 I agree up to a point, but ...

 I see your point, but ...
 That’s partly true, but ...
 I'm not so sure about that.

Useful Language in: Giving opinions

 I (really) think that …

 I believe (that) …
 I’m sure that …
 I agree with …
 I’d say that …

Useful Language in: Giving information or explanations

 “In addition to…
 “Moreover…
 “Furthermore…”
 “And…”
 “Besides…”

Useful Language in: Giving reasons

 Because …
 Because of …
 Due to …
 Since …
 As…

Useful Language in: Giving examples

 For example, …
 For instance, …
 Such as …
 Namely …
 In other words, …

Useful Language in: Comparing and contrasting ideas and opinions

 “Similarly…”
 “Unlike…”
 “Likewise…”
 “Compared to…”
 “On the contrary”

Useful Language in: Drawing Conclusions

 To summarize…
 In general, it can be said that…
 Overall, it may be said…
 As a final observation…
 In the end…

2. Dealing with a problem

List of Phrasal Verbs for Problems
 Talk over - Discuss a problem with someone before deciding what to do
Example: You’ll find it helpful to talk things over with a friend.

 Wrestle with - Try to understand or find a solution to a difficult problem

Example: I have been wrestling with this problem for quite some time.

 Run up against - Deal with unexpected problems or a difficult opponent

Example: We ran up against some unexpected opposition.

 Think through - Think carefully about the possible results of something

Example: They had failed to think the policy through.

 Sort out - Solve a problem or situation

Example: If you have a problem, the welfare officer can help you sort yourself out.

 Knuckle down - Begin to work hard at something

Example: I’m going to have to knuckle down to some serious study.

 Run into problems - Start to experience difficulties

Example: The event was going well, however at the last moment we ran into a
few problems.

 Deal with - Take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem
Example: The council has failed to deal with the problem of homelessness in the city.

3. Discussing advantages and disadvantages

Advantages
An advantage is a way in which one thing is better than another. It is the state of
being in a better position than others who are competing against you.

Disadvantages
 A disadvantage is a factor which makes someone or something
less useful, acceptable, or successful than other people or things.

Here are some phrases you can use to discuss advantages and disadvantages
 Pros and cons (Lat. pro et contra) – “We should consider the pros and cons before we
change jobs.”
 Downside – “Living in the country is pleasurable. However, it has its downsides.”
 Good point – “One of the best points of this bicycle is that it is foldable.”
 Major drawback – “The major drawback to life on planet earth is climate change.”
 The good thing about something - The best thing about living in Barcelona is that we
can go swimming in the sea at any time.

4. Giving advice
Advice comes from old French words for seeing, or view. It first meant opinion,
but came to mean an opinion about what to do. If you give someone advice, you tell them
what you think they should do in a particular situation.
Some phrases to use when giving an advice
 I think you should…
 Have you thought about…?
 I don't know if… is a good idea.
 Maybe you should try…
 If I were you, I would…
 Have you tried…?
 My advice is to...
 Why don't you…?

5. Persuading someone to do something

If you persuade someone to do something, you cause them to do it by giving them
good reasons for doing it. If you persuade someone that something is true, you say things
that eventually make them believe that it is true
Words for persuading people
 Urge – “I urge you to get a new job.”
 Recommend – “I recommend you take a vacation.”
 Consider – “Please consider all the options.”
 “You should” – “I think you should get a new apartment.”
 Suggest – “I suggest you see a doctor”

6. Who will get the job? (Episode 7)

[Link]
Philip: So, what did you think?
Marcia: Well, between Sarah Timms and Daniel Watson, I think the choice is pretty obvious!
Philip: Yes, so do I. Watson look so good on paper ...
Marcia: But he seemed very good when I first spoke to him too.
Philip: First impressions often lie!
Marcia: Indeed. I think a lot of his CV was – how shall we say? Counterfactual.
Philip: Yes. It just wasn't true. You should never lie on your CV!
Marcia: He had very good references, though. Very strange.
Philip: I guess some people just like that sort of style, but he wouldn't fit in with us. I mean, it's
important to be confident but he was overconfident.
Marcia: I couldn't agree more. His body language was all wrong. He came across as arrogant.
Philip: Then he gave very vague answers – no specific details of what exactly he'd done in his
job.
Marcia: Whereas Sarah Timms ...
Philip: ... knew exactly what she was talking about.
Marcia: Yes, she was very convincing, self-assured, but not arrogant.
Philip: She'd clearly done some research on the company and knew what she was talking about.
Marcia: Oh, I thought her presentation was excellent.
Philip: Yes, it was. But I am a little worried about how much experience she has.
Marcia: Yes, true, but she seems very ready to take on the challenges the role would offer her.
Philip: So, who do we give the job to?
Marcia: Sarah!
Philip: Yes, I agree entirely!
Marcia: Great! I'll phone her straight away offering the post and I'll write a rejection to
Mr Watson.
Philip: OK.

Suggested References
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level/b2-upper-intermediate
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skills#:~:text=Speaking%20skills%20are%20defined%20as,in%20primary%20and
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disagreeing
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examples/
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disadvantages/
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every-day-74-10-ways-to-give-advice?lp=95
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