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Speaking Skills in the ESL classroom

Speaking is a main form of expression between people. It is often used to express new ideas, to communicate an important message to an audience, or to discuss future plans. This will serve as a check list guide for ESL learners to master public speaking

*~k. Ye 1 Speaking Skills in the ESL classroom Speaking is a main form of expression between people. It is often used to express new ideas, to communicate an important message to an audience, or to discuss future plans. Learning a new language may be difficult to implement in our daily speech practices. Before we dive into grammar and the nuances of the language, it should be mentioned that there are three types of languages we should master while learning English- our vocabulary, the intended message, and most importantly appropriate body language. Besides spoken language, each culture communicates differently from body language to inflection and intonation. English is a language that demands the mastery of all three factors to create the intended impact for the listener. For each category, we should be able to ask ourselves as the speaker if we have successfully demonstrated the skillsets of the following 3 topics and the proceeding bullet point questions. *~k. Ye 2 1. Vocabulary ● is the audience in a formal or informal type setting? Does your choice of words reflect this particular setting? ● Are the phrases and vocabulary you will be using understandable for your audience? take note who the audience you are addressing are- are they children, young adults, professionals, your peers, or other second language learners? ● Are you able to use appropriate stress and unstressed tools within your sentences and individual words? ● Are you pausing between sentences? Are you using inflection in your voice when you ask a question? 2. The intended message ● What is the purpose of the message you are delivering to the speaker? ○ “You must have a reason why you want to do it, because that's the source of your concentration, and eventually your emotion which comes by itself (body language, facial expression, tone of voice)" - Sanford Meisner , On Acting p. 39 ● Are there any other experts' opinions who you can add to the topic you will be discussing? Are you providing credit for where you received your information? 3. Body language ● Did you know 80% of the way we express ourselves effectively is using body language? *~k. Ye 3 ● Are your clothes appropriate for the setting? (formal, informal, casual business) “Clothes make a man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." Mark Twain ● Are your hands only in one place, or are you using them to express your message? Your hands and facial expressions should act as an extension of yourself and the message you intend to express. ● different cultures have different types of body language to express agreement, understanding, connection, likes and dislikes. have you checked with a native speaker or online to check if you are using these hand gestures appropriately? Whether you are giving a public speech, or talking business - using these 3 factors are the most effective way to be understood - so it is important to keep in mind if you want your message to leave a lasting impression.