Oral Communication in English PDF

1. Oral Communication in the English language ESTRATEGIAS PARA LA COMUNICACIÓN ORAL Y ESCRITA EN LENGUA INGLESA II Facultad de Lenguas y Educación 2  1.1.1Oral Communication Verbally transmitting information and ideas from one individual or group to another. Great communication...

1. Oral Communication in the English language ESTRATEGIAS PARA LA COMUNICACIÓN ORAL Y ESCRITA EN LENGUA INGLESA II Facultad de Lenguas y Educación 2  1.1.1Oral Communication Verbally transmitting information and ideas from one individual or group to another. Great communication skills = success in the academic and business world. New forms of oral communication: - ICTs - Whatsapp Retrieved from https://www.ravimagazine.com/oral-communication-art- asking-questions/ - Online Communication: skype 3  Oral Communication It is more personal and less formal than written communication. More flexible and quicker. Effective in addressing conflicts or problems. Retrieved from http://www.colegiosantamariadelcamino.es/the-importance-of- oral-communication/ 4  Oral Communication Face-to-face Presentations at Communication Communication Informal Oral conversations business meetings Formal Oral Telephone Lectures conversations Discussions at Commencement business meetings speeches 5 1.1.2Strategies on oral discourse Oral negotiation strategies Clarification requests Oral communicative Time-gaining strategies strategies Confirmation checks Maintenance strategies Comprehension checks Help-seeking Recast strategies Negotiation strategies which focus on form Explicit correction 6 Time-gaining strategies  Using filler expressions to gain time to think.  For example: Really?; Uhm, let me see; well; sure. Example: Speaker 1: Ehm, I like golf. Speaker 2: Oh, really? 7 Maintenance strategies a) Make a positive comment or a remark. Make a comment to keep the conversation going. Examples: I understand; I see; I see what you mean; Sounds good; Very good. Example: Speaker 1: I don’t have a dog. Speaker 2: Oh, how sad! b) Shadow. Partially repeating what the partner has said. Example: Speaker 1: I’m from Kenya and my family is big. Speaker 2: Oh! Kenya! 8 Help-seeking strategies a) Ask for help: I don’t understand; What?; What does… mean?; How do you say…? Example: Speaker 1: Uhm… I was… Uhm… I was… How do you say X? Speaker 2: born. Speaker 1: Oh, ok… I was born in Holland b) Ask for repetition. Example: Could you repeat that? c) Indicate that there is a problem. For instance: Louder please; I can’t hear you well. 9 Strategies on oral discourse Oral negotiation strategies Clarification requests Oral communicative Time-gaining strategies strategies Confirmation checks Maintenance strategies Comprehension checks Help-seeking Recast strategies Negotiation strategies which focus on form Explicit correction 10 Clarification requests. One partner does not understand well and request an explanation. Examples: What?; What did you say? 11 Confirmation checks. The listener checks that he/she has understood his partner correctly. For example: Did you say…? 12 Comprehension checks. To be sure our partner has understood. Some instances are: Do you understand?; Is it clear?; Do you agree? 13 Negotiation strategies which focus on form. a) Recast. Your partner corrects your language. Example: Speaker 1: Me like golf. Speaker 2: I like golf. Speaker 1: Yes, I like golf. b) Explicit Correction. You correct your partner by explaining what is wrong. Example: Speaker 1: You get up early? Speaker 2: You need Do You before get up. Speaker 1: Do you get up early? 14 1.2Language of presentations in the classroom Structuring a presentation Introduction Main body Conclusion Signpost language Retrieved from https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/student- presentations 15 Structuring a presentation a welcoming and informative introduction; a series of main points in a logical and coherent sequence; a purposeful conclusion. 16 The introduction The introduction explains the content and purpose of the presentation. It is an extremely important part of your talk because you will need to gain the audience’s interest. Some key elements of an effective introduction are: a positive beginning: “Good afternoon, my name is Tom and …” what will be discussed: “I am going to explore …”; how the topic will be treated (e.g. to compare, contrast, evaluate, describe): “I will be contrasting the two main principles of …”; a statement of the conclusions of the presentation: “I hope this will provide us with …”; what the audience will need to do (e.g. when they can ask questions or if they need to take notes). Your introduction needs to be delivered confidently and you should communicate energy and enthusiasm for your topic. 17 Main points The main points play an important role in helping you prioritize, focus and organize your information. When planning your presentation you should summarize the main points that you would like to make, expressing each in a few words. Ask yourself what you are telling the audience and what they should be learning in order to help you communicate clear and effective messages. After identifying your main points, they should be developed with supporting information. For example, use diagrams to add clarity, illustrate the connection between theory and practice or verify your claims with data. This supporting information should be used to add color and interest to your talk, but you avoid confusion because of too much detail. 18 Transitions should be used to lead the audience through your presentation because they divide information up into sub-sections, link different aspects of your talk and show progression through it. Thus, they draw the audience’s attention to the development of the presentation and its content. Have a look at the following examples: I will begin by explaining…; Now that we have analyzed the... I would like to move on to…; In contrast to my earlier statements regarding…; Moving away from…; 19 The conclusion The conclusion is an essential section of a presentation. At this point you summarize the content and purpose of your talk, offer an overview and make an impact. Some important elements of a conclusion are: the review of the topic and your purpose: “In this presentation I wanted to analyze …”; the conclusions or recommendations to be drawn: “I hope to have been able to show that the effect of....”; the next stages, that is, what it might be done to take this work further: “This highlights the need for further research in the area of …”; an indication of what happens next (questions, discussion or group work?): “I would now like to give you the opportunity to ask questions …”; a thank you for the audience’s attention and participation: “That’s all I have time for. Thank you very much for listening.” 20 1.2.2. Signpost language Signpost language is the words and phrases that people use to tell the listener what has just happened, and what is going to happen next. In other words, signpost language guides the listener through the presentation. A good presenter will usually use a lot of signpost language, so it is a good idea to learn a few of the common phrases. Signpost language is usually fairly informal, so it is relatively easy to understand. 21 Section of presentation Signpost language Introducing the topic The subject/topic of my talk is... I'm going to talk about... My topic today is… My talk is concerned with... Overview (outline of presentation) I’m going to divide this talk into four parts. There are a number of points I'd like to make. Basically/ Briefly, I have three things to say. I'd like to begin/start by... Let's begin/start by... First of all, I'll... … and then I’ll go on to … Then/ Next... Finally/ Lastly... 22 Section of presentation Signpost language Finishing a section That's all I have to say about... We've looked at... So much for... Starting a new section Moving on now to … Turning to... Let’s turn now to … The next issue/topic/area I’d like to focus on … I’d like to expand/elaborate on … Now we'll move on to... I'd like now to discuss... Let's look now at... Analysing a point and giving Where does that lead us? recommendations Let's consider this in more detail... What does this mean for...? Translated into real terms... Why is this important? The significance of this is... 23 Section of presentation Signpost language Giving examples For example,... A good example of this is... As an illustration,... To give you an example,... To illustrate this point... Summarising and concluding To sum up... To summarize... Right, let's sum up, shall we? Let's summarize briefly what we've looked at... If I can just sum up the main points... Finally, let me remind you of some of the issues we've covered... To conclude... In conclusion... In short... So, to remind you of what I’ve covered in this talk, … Unfortunately, I seem to have run out of time, so I’ll conclude very briefly by saying that ….. I'd like now to recap... Paraphrasing and clarifying Simply put... In other words....... So what I’m saying is.... To put it more simply.... To put it another way.... Invitation to discuss / ask I’m happy to answer any queries/ questions. questions Does anyone have any questions or comments? Please feel free to ask questions. If you would like me to elaborate on any point, please ask. Would you like to ask any questions? Any questions? 24 1.3How to do an interview in English Some common job interview questions Tell me about yourself What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Why did you leave your last job? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? What kind of salary do you expect? Do you have any questions for me/us? Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-job- interview-2061361 25 Preparation before the interview There are a number of steps you can take before the interview to ensure that you make a terrific impression during the interview. Preparation is key. Prepare for your English language job interview just as you would for any other interview. This may include  researching the organization’s history and mission  determining the travel time needed to promptly arrive at your interview location  organizing your materials and choosing an outfit. Some companies may require you to take an English skills test during your interview so get ready. 26 Before you go on a job interview: It is important to find out as much as you can about not only the job, but also the company. Company research is a critical part of interview preparation. Besides, anticipate potential questions. Take some time to determine how you would answer them, and be prepared to provide real-life examples that reference your job history.  Refer to the job advert itself for keywords and ideal candidate qualities that you can highlight.  Avoid memorizing your answers in order to sound as natural as possible during the interview 27  One way to practice your language skills is to role-play the interview:  Find a friend who can act as the interviewer by reciting sample interview questions in English, and providing feedback on your answers.  Alternatively, record yourself asking and answering the questions in English.  Play back the recording to see how you can improve your responses. 28 During your role play Pay attention to the speed and clarity of your speech to ensure that your answers are properly delivered and comprehensible. Individuals tend to speak faster when nervous, so by practicing speaking slowly and clearly during the role play, you will feel more relaxed and confident during the actual interview. If during the interview you find yourself struggling to answer a question, do not be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat or reword their question. This is completely normal, and happens in many interviews between fluent English speakers. 29 How to do an interview in English Some common job interview questions Tell me about yourself What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Why did you leave your last job? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? What kind of salary do you expect? Do you have any questions for me/us? Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-job- interview-2061361 30 Tell me about yourself After greeting, shaking hands and introducing yourself, the next thing that interviewers are probably going to ask you to do is to talk about yourself. This might seem easy for you – you have practiced it in your English class so much, but they don’t want to hear every single detail. Avoid saying something like: I was born in Beijing. I love playing the computer and surfing the net or I have two sisters. They do not want to know everything about you. They want to know about you and your career growth; they want to know about you related to the job you are applying for. Also, make sure you do not use any informal slang or make any basic grammar mistakes. 31 A possible answer if interviewers ask you to talk about yourself would be something like this: I’ve been working as a junior chef at a small Italian restaurant for 2 years and my duties included assisting the head chef and preparing salads. I have always been interested in food and cooking which was why I chose to follow this career path. I studied at ******* college, where I gained my first level cooking diploma. 32 What are your strengths? 33 Focused (adj) To concentrate well Confident (adj) Not shy Problem-solver (N) Can find answers to Team building You’re able to take problems easily skills (N) the lead and be the leader of the group. Negotiate (V) To be able to get a To have a good To work hard, follow better deal that is work ethic (V) the rules and respect favorable to you your duties of the job. 34 What are your weaknesses? Everyone has weaknesses, but what they are checking for here is how you try to fix your weaknesses and they also want to know how self-aware (how much you know about yourself) you are. Another trick here is to turn those weaker qualities into positive qualities. For example, your weakness is that you spend too much time on projects which makes you work slower. Turn that into a positive by saying: I sometimes am slower in completing my tasks compared to others because I really want to get things right. I will double or sometimes triple-check documents and files to make sure everything is accurate. Another great trick is to talk about a weakness (like being disorganized) and mention some methods that you are using to help overcome this. E.g. I have created a time-management system, which allows me to list all my duties and organize my deadlines so I have a clearer idea of what I need to do. 35 Why did you leave your last job? If you have worked before, the interviewer wants to find out why you left your old job.  Did you leave because you were fired?  Did you quit?  Or were you laid off? If you chose to leave your old job, avoid saying anything negative about your old workplace or boss (even if this is true). The person or people interviewing you will just look at you in a negative way. You can say the following: I’m looking for new challenges; I feel I wasn’t able to show my talents; I’m looking for a job that suits my qualifications; I’m looking for a job where I can grow with the company. 36 Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Here, they are asking about your goals. Again, it is related to your career, not your personal life. So if having a family is on the list, don’t mention it. Be careful what you say here, you need to be ambitious, but not too ambitious as those interviewing you may see you as a threat. You can mention: By then I will have… I would have liked to… Improved my skills. Created more of a name for myself in the industry. Become more independent in what I do and productive. Enhanced my knowledge. Achieved a higher position. Become a team leader. 37 What kind of salary do you expect? Here, they are asking you about how much money you would expect to earn from the job.  Be reasonable.  Make sure you do your research on the internet about what the average salary is.  Do not say I do not know, it makes you sound unsure.  Be confident and name your price without selling yourself too short or going too high. They already have a salary in mind, but this is their way of checking if you know the industry and if you are aware of your own skills. 38 Do you have any questions for me/us? 39 1.3.3 Body language  It is unlikely that your interviewer will penalize you for pronouncing a word incorrectly. By ensuring that you speak with confidence during the interview, you can make a positive impression.  The interview starts even before you get to the interview room. Your body should tell anyone who might be watching that you are confident and calm.  In the interview room, it is OK to place a slim portfolio on the table, especially if you will be presenting its contents, but put your other belongings on the floor beside you. Holding a briefcase or handbag on your lap will make you seem as though you are trying to create a barrier around yourself.  Itis advised to sit up straight and display your neck, chest and stomach area to signal that you are open. 40  When gesturing with your hands, you should always keep them above the desk.  Make eye contact as you articulate your points, pay attention, be attentive, and look interested.  At the end of the interview, gather your belongings calmly, rise smoothly, smile and nod your head.  If shaking hands with everyone in the room is not convenient, at least shake hands with the hiring manager and the person who brought you to the interview space. 41 1.3.4 Possible answers to job interview questions How would you describe I consider myself hardworking / reliable / dependable / helpful / outgoing / organised / honest/ cooperative. yourself ? I’m a team-player / an experienced team-leader / a seasoned (experienced) professional / a dedicated worker. I’m good at dealing with people / handling stress. (What are your strengths / I pay attention to details. I understand my customers’ needs. positive traits? Why should we I learn quickly and take pride in my work. hire you?) I love challenges and getting the job done. I graduated in IT from the University of London. What kind of qualifications do I hold a master’s degree (MA) / a bachelor’s degree (BA) in Modern Languages from the University of New York. I took a one year accounting training program at Oxford College. you have? I haven’t done any formal training for this job, but I have worked in similar positions and have ten years of experience in this field. I was laid off / made redundant, because the company relocated / downsized / needed to cut costs. I resigned from my previous position, because I didn’t have enough room to grow with my employers. Why did you leave your last job? I wanted to focus on finding a job that is nearer to home / that represents new challenges / where I can grow professionally / that helps me advance my career. 42  I’m responsible for the day-to-day running of the business / for recording and conveying messages for the departments. What do you do in your I ensure that high standard of customer care is maintained. current role? I liaise with the Business Development and Business Services Units. I deal with incoming calls and correspond with clients via e-mails. I’m in charge of the high-priority accounts. I have worked as a Sales Representative for several years. What relevant experience do I have good organizational skills as I have worked as an Event Organizer / Personal Assistant for the last six years. you have? I have great people skills: I’ve been working in Customer Service and been dealing with complaints for five years. I would like to put into practice what I learned at university. Why would you like to work I would like to make use of the experience I have gained in the past ten years. I believe that your company will allow me to grow both professionally and as a person. for us? I’ve always been interested in E-Commerce / Marketing / Computer Programming and your company excels (is one of the best) in this field. I’m a perfectionist and I may be too hard on myself or my co-workers sometimes. What are your weaknesses / I might need to learn to be more flexible when things are not going according to plan. This is something I’m working on at the moment. negative traits? I occasionally focus on details instead of looking at the bigger picture. I’m learning how to focus on the overall progress as well. 43 44