Introduction to speaking, listening and communication · PDF fileyour speaking, listening and communication will be ... notes that you can use while you are speaking, such as ... Showed

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The activities in this section of the book will help you to develop your skills in speaking, listening and communication in formal and informal discussions. You will practise:

contributing to discussions in different ways

responding to others in discussions

presenting your information and points of view clearly

using appropriate language.

At the end of the section you will � nd two speaking, listening and communication tasks. These will help you to practise and assess the skills you will need to use in the assessment. There is also guidance from the examiner. For a full practice assessment, see pages 124 to 125.

Your assessmentYou will be assessed in your school or college, taking part in two discussions – one formal and one informal. For more information on how you will be assessed, see page 116.

Self-assessment

For each unit of work, you will be given learning objectives. Read these carefully before you start, and work out how confi dent you feel about your skills in that area. At the end of each unit, think about how your skills have improved. What still needs further practice?

Introduction to speaking, listening and communication

M04_FSE1_SB_EDEX_8804_U02.indd 44 16/8/10 13:21:47

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Introduction to speaking, listening and communication

Speaking, listening and communication

Level 1 Skill standard for speaking, listening and communication: Take full part in formal and informal discussions and exchanges that include unfamiliar subjects

Make relevant and extended contributions to discussion, allowing for and responding to others’ input

Make different kinds of contributions to discussions

Present information/points of view clearly and in appropriate language

This table shows you the ‘standards’, or assessment objectives, that your speaking, listening and communication will be assessed against.


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1Your local council wants to teach children aged 8 to 11 about road safety. You have been asked to discuss what road safety advice you think should be given to them.

This lesson will help you to: prepare for a discussion

make clear, relevant contributions

listen to others

Taking part in an informal discussion

You are going to discuss this topic:

Key skills for discussionsBefore you start, remind yourself of some key skills for discussions:Before you start, remind yourself of some key skills for discussions:Before you start, remind yourself of some key skills for discussions:

• Think about what your audience needs to know and prepare some points.• Organise what you say. Begin with a main point then give more detail.• Listen carefully and actively when others are speaking.• Speak clearly and politely. Use correct grammar and avoid slang words.• Explain unusual words or difficult ideas. Explain technical terms (jargon).• Check that your audience understands you. Ask ‘Is that clear?’ or ‘Are

there any questions?’

You have to make some ‘extended’ contributions to the discussion, so develop the points you make in detail. This should include responding to what other people say, so listen carefully and make sure you understand their points of view.

Watch out!



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Step 1 Prepare and organise your points

Step 2 Active listening Active listening means you should:

Pay close attention to what someone is saying.

Respond to the speaker in your body language.

Make short comments to show that you are listening.

Ask questions or summarise to check your understanding.

1 Come up with six points that children should learn about road safety, such as looking both ways before crossing the road. Choose two points that you will use in the discussion.

2 a Work out how you can explain your two points clearly. Make sure you can add details, perhaps by giving examples. Make notes that you can use while you are speaking, such as those on the right:

b Practise explaining each of your points out loud. Make your main point � rst, then add the details.

3 Work in a group. a Take turns explaining the � rst of your road safety points. b Listen to other people’s points. Give them feedback. You could

� ll in a table like the one below.

Skills used – the speaker… ✓ if used Examples

Gave a clear explanation of the point

Organised information clearly and gave details

Checked listeners’ understanding

Used words that people understood

Explained unusual words/ideas

Spoke at the right pace (not too fast/slow)

Spoke at the right volume (not too loud/soft)

c Study the feedback you are given for your own points. What skills do you need to improve on?

Activity 1

Notes

Main point – wear safety clothing

cycle helmethi-vis armbands

bright clothes in the dark

Work in your group. Take turns explaining your second idea to one person in your group. The other people should check the skills of the listener by � lling in a table like the one below.

Skills used – the listener… ✓ if used Examples

Paid close attention

Showed interest in their facial expressions and body language

Made short comments

Asked questions or summarised

Activity 2


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1 Taking part in an informal discussion

Step 3 Make effective contributions

1 Read the speech bubbles below.

2 Discuss them in your group. a What is done well? b What needs more practice?

Give reasons for your views, for example ‘This speaker made a clear point, but the next person did not respond politely.’

I think children need to find a safe place to cross the road.

Children need to keep listening and looking while they are crossing just in case a car appears. they are crossing just in case a car appears.

I can see your point, but how can you make them do that?can you make them do that?

Don’t be stupid. No one’s going to walk half a mile to find an empty space. a mile to find an empty space.

Me auntie got knocked over at a zebra. She were well hurt, like.

They shouldn’t stand in between parked cars to cross because drivers won’t see them.

Yes, I agree. They should be told to use a zebra crossing.

We could ask them questions – ‘A car appears when you are halfway across. What should you do?’ What do you think?

What else should children learn? What do you think Ellie?

Group A

Group C

Group B

Activity 3

Asking questions is a good way to keep the discussion fl owing. Show that it is important to you to understand what others think, as well as to be understood by them.

Top tip



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Step 4 Have your discussionRemind yourself of the discussion topic on page 46.

During the discussion, make sure you:

Play a full part, but don’t do all the talking.

Actively listen to others.

Make relevant points that � t in with the task and what others are saying.

Say when you agree with or support others, for example ‘I agree that…’ or ‘I can see what you mean…’.

Say when you disagree with others and put your own viewpoint, for example ‘But don’t you think…’ or ‘I can see your point, but…’.

Speak politely and clearly. This is an informal discussion, but you should still try to speak correctly and avoid too much slang.

Help others by asking questions, for example ‘Hamid, what do you think?’.

Remember the feedback you got earlier and use it to improve your skills.

Have the full discussion in your group. Remember to use the points you have prepared.

Activity 4

Step 5 Assess your skills

1 Look at the scale of speaking, listening and communication skills below.

2 Where would you put yourself on the scale for each of the following skills? Use the questions in green to help you decide. A I take a full part in discussions. I make relevant points and respond to others’ points appropriately. Did you keep quiet most of the time, or take an active part in the discussion?

Did you use the points you had prepared?B I listen to others and try to understand their ideas and opinions. How much can you remember about what other people in the group said?C I show that I am listening by my body language and by making short comments. Did you nod, make eye contact with the speaker and say things like ‘Yes’, ‘Uh huh’?D I speak clearly using standard English and language that suits the topic. Did you use slang? How did you check that other people in the group understood you?

3 a Work in your group using the skills you have learned. Discuss each person’s scores.b Help each person to set a goal for improvement in their discussion skills.

All my skills need improvement.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

I am con� dent in all my skills.

I am happy with some of my skills, but still need to improve others.

Self-assessment


Documents

Introduction to speaking, listening and communication · PDF fileyour speaking, listening and communication will be ... notes that you can use while you are speaking, such as ... Showed