The document discusses language functions in English, highlighting various categories such as comparison, persuasion, and asking for information. It provides examples of different functions like giving advice, expressing opinions, and making polite requests, alongside practical exercises. References to systemic-functional grammar and additional resources are included to support language learning.

1. MINISTERIO DEL PODER POPULAR Y DEL
DEPORTE
UNIVERSIDAD PEDAGÓGICA EXPERIMENTAL
LIBERTADOR
DEPARTAMENTO DE IDIOMAS MODERNO
EVALUATION DE LOS PROCESOS DE
ENSEÑANZA DEL INGLÉS
LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
PARTICIPANT:
HECTOR SANTOS
CARACAS 15 DE JUNIO DE 2012

2. What does language functions refer to?

3. Some examples of
language functions
include:
Compare and contrast
Persuasion
Asking questions
Expressing likes and dislikes
Cause and effect
Summarizing
Sequencing
Predicting
Agreeing/disagreeing
Greeting people/introductions

4. ACCORDING TO HALLIDAY
AND MORLEY (1985)
EXPERIENTIAL
SUBCOMPONENT
IDEATIONAL
COMPONENT
LOGICAL
SUBCOMPONENT

5. SOCIAL
FUNCTION
INTERACTIONAL
SUBCOMPONENT
INSTRUMENTAL
FUNCTION
INTERACTIONAL
SUBCOMPONENT
PERSONAL
SUBCOMPONENT

6. The children saw the ball.The
ball was floating on the pool in
the garden. The children stood
up. The children ran to the
edge of the pool. The children
realised that there was a dead
man in the pool
TEXTUAL
COMPONENT
The children saw the ball that was floating on the
pool in the garden. They stood up and ran to the
edge of the pool, where they realised that there was
a dead man.

7. EXAMPLES OF
LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
LÑAÑAÑ
-

8. Contrasting ideas
 We'd love to stay for dinner, but we have got to get going.
 They decided to stay in the area, in spite of their problems with the local residents.
 Despite the difficulties of a long journey, Peter decided to visit India.
 Getting a good job is hard work, however, most people eventually find one with patience.
 There were a number of people who came, although the hotels were not equipped to
handle them all.

9. Complaining Remember that a
direct complaint or
I'm sorry to have to say this but... criticism in English
I'm sorry to bother you, but... can sound rude or
Maybe you forgot to... aggressive.
I think you might have forgotten to...
Excuse me if I'm out of line, but...
There may have been a misunderstanding about...
Don't get me wrong, but I think we should...
It's best to
mention a problem
in an indirect
manner.

11. Giving Advice
 I don't think you should work so hard.
 You ought to work less.
 You ought not to work so hard.
 If I were you, I'd work less.
 If I were in your position, I'd work less.
 If I were in your shoes, I'd work less.
 You had better work less.
 You shouldn't work so hard.
 Whatever you do, don't work so hard.

12.  Guessing
 It might need some oil.
 He could be in the garden.
 It looks like a miniature motor.
 Perhaps he needs some time off work.
 Maybe they want to come and visit this summer.
 It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house.
 I'm not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.

13. Demanding explanations
 Can you tell me why...
 I don't understand why...
 Can you explain why..
 Why is it that...
 How come...
 Does this mean...
 Do you really expect me to believe...

14. ITEM FORMATS
FOR LANGUAGE
FUNCTIONS

15. Some people say English people are polite. My friend Mary is going to UK soon, but she is not as polite as they
are. Help my friend to be more polite. Write questions to help her to get information.
•How can she ask for the time?
________________________________________________________________________
•How can she get information about the location of the nearest bank?
________________________________________________________________________
•How can she get the schedule of the store?
________________________________________________________________________
•How can she get the location of the fire station?
________________________________________________________________________
BEING POLITE

16. The teacher is very bad at giving suggestions. Help him to give some pieces of advice to them.
Here you have different situations, give advice for each one.
•Carlos has a headache.
_________________________________________________________________________
•Carolina failed her Math test.
_________________________________________________________________________
•David wants to go to the movies but his girlfriend wants to go shopping.
_________________________________________________________________________
•Albert is going to England, but he does not speak English very well.
_________________________________________________________________________
GIVING
SUGGESTIONS

17. We are carried out an investigation. We need to know your opinion about extreme
sports.
.
1.____________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________
EXPRESSING
OPINION

18. Shopping
Claude is in a store trying to buy some pieces of clothes. He needs to ask some questions to the salesman.
Using the information in parenthesis help him to ask for:
1. A larger size (t-shirt)
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Different color (sweater)
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Price (cap)
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Payment forms
_________________________________________________________________________
SHOPPING

19. •Giving Instructions
A friend of your call you to ask you how to open a face book account. Explain him how to do it. Give him
the necessary instructions to open a face book account.
1.___________________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________________
GIVING
INSTRUCTIONS

20. You want to work as a receptionist in a very famous hotel. You have to show your interviewer you know how to use the
phone.
•Ask the caller to wait.
_________________________________________________________________________
•Thank the caller to wait.
_________________________________________________________________________
•Ask the caller additional information.
_________________________________________________________________________
•Take a message.
_________________________________________________________________________
INTERACTING :
ASKING FOR
INFORMATION
THANKING

21. REFERENCES
An introduction to systemic-Functional Grammar. Elida Leon (2004)
AVAILABLE AT esl.about.com/b/2010/03/06/language-functions.htm
AVAILABLE AT eldstrategies.com/languagefunctions.html

22. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!!