Handout for presentation at JALT Sendai on Sunday April 28th.

1. Speak
now
(or
forever
hold
your
peace)
Andrew
Boon
(Toyo
Gakuen
University)
JALT
Sendai
2013
Abstract:
Over 25 years ago, Dinsmore (1985) documented the phenomenon of
silence in the Japanese EFL classroom. It can be argued that this
problem still persists today. This presentation will explore instances of
silence in the Japanese classroom, provide an overview of the
Dinsmore paper, and introduce the audience to a number of strategies
that can help break the silence and get students engaging in meaningful
communication. Audience members will be asked to try out a number of
tried and tested speaking games and also be encouraged to share their
ideas for getting students talking to one another in the L2.
Transcript:
1] T: Okay - by doing ...that we’ve learned there are BEST presents... and
there are WORST presents. When I bought my mother the tea set....
SHE liked it....but if you gave it to me....I’d just say “THANK YOU”
......and wouldn’t be able to use it.....
2] S’s: (laugh...)
3] T: So - I have a PROBLEM.....it’s going to happen very soon....next
month.....it’s my MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY!......and she is REALLY,
REALLY DIFFICULT to buy for.......REALLY DIFFICULT!.....
She has EVERYTHING!
4] S’s: (laugh...)
5] T: ..........So - I have to buy a BIRTHDAY PRESENT for my mother -
normally....normally....I can send her a present but this time she’s
GOING TO BE in Japan....so I REALLY DO have to buy her a
birthday present..... So - I NEED your help......(6 secs)......
Do you have any Ideas?

2. 6] S’s: (silence = 75secs)
7] T: .....you have NO IDEAS! It’s very quiet........NO ideas?......
8] S’s: (Silence = 30secs)
9] T: ...You could also ask - SAME MEANING.......ANY SUGGESTIONS?
OR WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
10] S’s: (Silence = 14secs)
11] T: ...ANY SUGGESTIONS?....WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
12] S: err.....What does she like?
13] T: YES...GOOD!...She likes COMPUTERS....She also likes
GARDENING.
14] S’s: (Silence = 70secs)
15] T: I have to buy the present VERY QUICKLY!
16] S’s: (laugh...)
17] S: Your MOTHER like gardening?
18] T: YEAH!
19] S: So....erm....I’m thinking PLANT?
20] T: I could buy her a plant - OKAY! (Total - 8 minutes)
(From Boon, 2003)
References:
Boon, A. (2003). Instruction-giving: Effective procedural instructions. Modern
English Teacher 13 (3): 40-46.
Boon, A. (2010). Utilizing classroom space. Modern English Teacher 19 (3): 22-24.
Dinsmore, D. (1985). Waiting for Godot in the EFL classroom. ELT Journal 39 (4):
225-234.