PPT Speaking Workshop template.pptx

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

3. 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!

4. What can make speaking difficult?

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

6. 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

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

8. 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?

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

10. 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.

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

12. Difficulty 3: grammar

13. 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!

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

15. Difficulty 4: pronunciation
– pronunciation

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

17. Difficulty 5: confidence

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

19. 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”!

20. 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.

21. 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…

22. Speak out!