Subject: |
Check In/Roll Call 5 minutes |
As the teaching is doing roll call, he/she may ask students about their homework, questions like “Was it hard or easy, and why was it hard or easy, and how long did it take you to finish the worksheet?” |
Presentation Modeling 10 minutes |
Introduce language functions that they are going to learn Teacher: 1. shows the picture of the person that is important to the teacher 2. asks students to put pictures on their tables/desks 3. walks around to ask students about those pictures Ex: Could you tell me about this person? May I ask you a question? Who is he/she? 4. asks students taking turns to ask you questions about the picture that you show to them 5. asks those students that you have asked earlier for more information Ex: Can you tell me a little more about…? 6. asks students taking turns to ask you more information about the person in the picture that you show to the class. 7. gives students the language functions handout and going through the first two language functions that you just introduced to the class |
Controlled Guided Practice 10 minutes |
Teacher ask students to practice with teacher by using those two language functions 1. Students ask the teacher about teacher’s picture by using the handout as a guide 2. Teacher answers students' questions 3. Teacher write their conversation down on the board as the Q & A is occurringTeacher and students role play the conversation written on the board |
Presentation 5 minutes |
Teacher introduce another two language functions on the handout and explain why these functions are very helpful for three reasons: 1.) It clarifies what you have just heard in a conversation; 2.) It shows that you are interested in that conversation; 3.) It tells that you are listening. |
Modeling 5 minutes |
With what have written on the board, teacher continues the conversation with the students’ help/input by using the last two language functions - describing and complimenting and responding. Ex: He is a nice person. OR She is very special to you. Thank you for sharing You are welcome. |
Semi-controlled Free Practice 20 minutes |
Teacher asks students to find a partner and practice introduced language functions by using the worksheet and the photo that they bring to the class. Teacher may walk around the classroom and offer assistance |
Conclude the class 5 minutes |
Have students to jot down information that they have heard from their conversation partners, and complete their worksheets, the first question and the last one. Tell students that the class will continue working on this same topic and practice the same language functions for the next class. Two pairs of students will be joined together as a small group (four students) and tell each other what they have learned about the important person of their conversation partners in their small groups. |
Since this was recorded from the middle of conversation among four people, two men and two women, at a train station, there was only one clear channel opening signal between two women; turnover signals and nonparticipant constraints are not utilized much throughout the conversation. It seems to me that these four people have known each other well and taken the same train every day for work. Their conversation jump from one topic to another. Four of them selectively participate in conversation. It seems to work for everyone, and no one's feeling is hurt. The young woman is looking at her cell phone most of the time when the conversation is happening. The conversation that I recorded is much longer, but I took this section since it is much better. The following discourse is using symbols developed by Gail Jefferson in Hatch chapter 1.
SM: Shorter man
TM: Taller man
YW: Younger woman
OW: Older woman
SM: Shorter man
TM: Taller man
YW: Younger woman
OW: Older woman
((Metra train passing by))
SM: So we’re going to (.2) flying back and then we either going to fly
TM: =uh huh=
SM: fly to Denver that night and stay in a hotel
TM: =uh huh=
SM: and wait until the first fly in the morning (.2) that’s our best (stop) (.2) but we’re just going to
TM: →// I had to* stop him from throwing your bag on the tracks stand
SM: →Mmhmm?
TM: He was going to throw your bag on the tracks stand
YW: //He was* going to ticket it and Erik was like (.2) NO::: means NO!
SM: //((laughing))*
YM: (.5) What are you doing°°? (it’s like) Ok, (.2) Yeah, stop (.2) I use this million time
SM: →//Did you wait* to get you a ticket or something?
OW: Yes, for a long time. (Damn it)
TM and SM: ((laughing))
TM: Wait till it gets to November
SM: =Yeah=
OW: =Pardon?=
SM: That’s what you get for waiting
OW: I know. I know. I wasn’t even here on Friday, otherwise I had got them on Friday
TM: Yeah+++
OW: →Good morning
YW: Good morning
OW: It’s been a while
YW: Yeah↑ (.2) because I worked from home an extra day last week…and was at the end of the week today. -Why is this giving me all of these?
OW: =How was the party?=
YW: =It was fun.=
OW: =It was fun↑=
YW: =It was a lot of fun (.2) Yeah, it was good. OH, WOW they really update this app. MY goodness! (.5) Are you going to sync or are you going to be a jerk? (Looking at her cell phone and smart watch) (.5) WOW! I am excited.//
OW: //Now*, is it over?
YW: No:::, because I didn’t want to break like the day after, but this week I’m breaking up with him ((chuckle)) because it was awkward.
OW: =yeah=
YW: =It is wield. (.2) I didn’t really talk to him. I always friendship with different group of people+++
OW: It is Wield+++
YW: +++Yeah
(men talking, YW still looking and playing with her cell and smart watch)
YW: +++OH! NO! My tea’s hot
SM: Uh, hot tea! I don’t drink tea
YW: →They change the whole app thing. My goodness
SM: =What happens?=
YW: =The app=
SM: =Ahh
YW: Oh…the Garmin connect
TM: =Ahh
SM: Jim has the Garmin connect app
TM: =huhumm
YW: The Garmin people
SM: It’s got the one the (.2) it’s the square watch (.2) and then you see more on there but (.2) he really like it.
TM: =Yeah=
YW: =Yea, I really this one. It was a lot for me to have one that actually has like (.2) interface+++
OW: →When did you get coffee?
SM: This morning
OW: Did you go upstairs there? Or+
SM: Downstairs because I wanted to get water. My sinuses is bothering me. I need to feel hydrated.
SM: So we’re going to (.2) flying back and then we either going to fly
TM: =uh huh=
SM: fly to Denver that night and stay in a hotel
TM: =uh huh=
SM: and wait until the first fly in the morning (.2) that’s our best (stop) (.2) but we’re just going to
TM: →// I had to* stop him from throwing your bag on the tracks stand
SM: →Mmhmm?
TM: He was going to throw your bag on the tracks stand
YW: //He was* going to ticket it and Erik was like (.2) NO::: means NO!
SM: //((laughing))*
YM: (.5) What are you doing°°? (it’s like) Ok, (.2) Yeah, stop (.2) I use this million time
SM: →//Did you wait* to get you a ticket or something?
OW: Yes, for a long time. (Damn it)
TM and SM: ((laughing))
TM: Wait till it gets to November
SM: =Yeah=
OW: =Pardon?=
SM: That’s what you get for waiting
OW: I know. I know. I wasn’t even here on Friday, otherwise I had got them on Friday
TM: Yeah+++
OW: →Good morning
YW: Good morning
OW: It’s been a while
YW: Yeah↑ (.2) because I worked from home an extra day last week…and was at the end of the week today. -Why is this giving me all of these?
OW: =How was the party?=
YW: =It was fun.=
OW: =It was fun↑=
YW: =It was a lot of fun (.2) Yeah, it was good. OH, WOW they really update this app. MY goodness! (.5) Are you going to sync or are you going to be a jerk? (Looking at her cell phone and smart watch) (.5) WOW! I am excited.//
OW: //Now*, is it over?
YW: No:::, because I didn’t want to break like the day after, but this week I’m breaking up with him ((chuckle)) because it was awkward.
OW: =yeah=
YW: =It is wield. (.2) I didn’t really talk to him. I always friendship with different group of people+++
OW: It is Wield+++
YW: +++Yeah
(men talking, YW still looking and playing with her cell and smart watch)
YW: +++OH! NO! My tea’s hot
SM: Uh, hot tea! I don’t drink tea
YW: →They change the whole app thing. My goodness
SM: =What happens?=
YW: =The app=
SM: =Ahh
YW: Oh…the Garmin connect
TM: =Ahh
SM: Jim has the Garmin connect app
TM: =huhumm
YW: The Garmin people
SM: It’s got the one the (.2) it’s the square watch (.2) and then you see more on there but (.2) he really like it.
TM: =Yeah=
YW: =Yea, I really this one. It was a lot for me to have one that actually has like (.2) interface+++
OW: →When did you get coffee?
SM: This morning
OW: Did you go upstairs there? Or+
SM: Downstairs because I wanted to get water. My sinuses is bothering me. I need to feel hydrated.
Taxonomy of Language Functions: Requests
Click here to see the example of discourse completion questionnaire
Click here to see the collected data and its summery
Click here to see the example of discourse completion questionnaire
Click here to see the collected data and its summery
Summary of the Discourse Completion Questionnaire
In this discourse completion questionnaire, participants are asked to make requests asking for help or permission and for appropriate manners or correction by using either polite or less polite, direct or indirect requests in ten situations. There are 12 participants completed this questionnaire, 6 males and 6 females. From the collected data, I could see how linguistic forms of this particular speech are used differently by different genders and ages. The following are examples that show a small percentage of participants offering very different responses from the rest.
(1.) The situation: Someone has borrowed a book from you a while ago, and you have asked for it back twice.
The examples that I show here are unique because these two participants are not only making their requests but also offering alternative options for the situation. In this situation, it is to make a request asking for an appropriate manner.
A male participant: Could you please return the book that I loaned it to you a while ago? I need to look up some information. If you like the book so much, you can buy it from Amazon at half the price.
A female participant: Hey, I know I’ve asked you this twice already but I really need that book back because *insert reason here*. I really don’t have a problem with you using it but now it’s important that I have it back. Can you see if the library has it or something?
(2.) The situation: You are going to be late for an important meeting, but your friend starts talking about the challenges that she is facing right now in her life and needs your attention.
In the following examples, ten out of twelve participants make their requests and offer alternative options for the situation without jeopardizing personal commitments. However, there are two participants offer unique alternative options that might affect their personal commitments. In the situation, it is to make a request asking for permission.
A male participant: I will tell that I can listen for a few minutes but I listen a few extra minutes even if I get to the meeting a bit late (unless I am the presenter/leader) I am sorry…I could talk for a few minutes…
A female participant: I can stay for a few minutes, but I really need to run to this meeting. I’ll shoot you a message to meet up right after. I promise. Is that okay?
(3.) The situation: You are watching a movie at a theater. There is a couple sitting in front of you who has been chatting for the last 20 minutes.
The last two examples also show two out of ten participants whose answers are unique. In this situation, it is to make a request asking for appropriate manners.
A female participant: Nothing. I wouldn’t want to cause a scene.
A male participant: I wouldn’t say anything and I would move myself.
An overview of the requests asking for help or permission, all the participants use more polite and indirect forms of language, and of those requests asking for appropriate manners or correction, most males and females use polite forms, and in those polite forms, males tend to be more direct than females do, for example, male participants would respond by naming inappropriate behaviors.
To conclude my learning from the data that I have collected from these 12 participants, there is a small percentage of people, 1.7℅, who either would go beyond what is required to say or would choose not to say anything at any given situation for both females and males. I understand that the data I have collected is not sufficient enough to make such claim, and it would be interesting to see what I might get if I extend this discourse completion questionnaire to a bigger range of ages, cultures, and statuses.
(1.) The situation: Someone has borrowed a book from you a while ago, and you have asked for it back twice.
The examples that I show here are unique because these two participants are not only making their requests but also offering alternative options for the situation. In this situation, it is to make a request asking for an appropriate manner.
A male participant: Could you please return the book that I loaned it to you a while ago? I need to look up some information. If you like the book so much, you can buy it from Amazon at half the price.
A female participant: Hey, I know I’ve asked you this twice already but I really need that book back because *insert reason here*. I really don’t have a problem with you using it but now it’s important that I have it back. Can you see if the library has it or something?
(2.) The situation: You are going to be late for an important meeting, but your friend starts talking about the challenges that she is facing right now in her life and needs your attention.
In the following examples, ten out of twelve participants make their requests and offer alternative options for the situation without jeopardizing personal commitments. However, there are two participants offer unique alternative options that might affect their personal commitments. In the situation, it is to make a request asking for permission.
A male participant: I will tell that I can listen for a few minutes but I listen a few extra minutes even if I get to the meeting a bit late (unless I am the presenter/leader) I am sorry…I could talk for a few minutes…
A female participant: I can stay for a few minutes, but I really need to run to this meeting. I’ll shoot you a message to meet up right after. I promise. Is that okay?
(3.) The situation: You are watching a movie at a theater. There is a couple sitting in front of you who has been chatting for the last 20 minutes.
The last two examples also show two out of ten participants whose answers are unique. In this situation, it is to make a request asking for appropriate manners.
A female participant: Nothing. I wouldn’t want to cause a scene.
A male participant: I wouldn’t say anything and I would move myself.
An overview of the requests asking for help or permission, all the participants use more polite and indirect forms of language, and of those requests asking for appropriate manners or correction, most males and females use polite forms, and in those polite forms, males tend to be more direct than females do, for example, male participants would respond by naming inappropriate behaviors.
To conclude my learning from the data that I have collected from these 12 participants, there is a small percentage of people, 1.7℅, who either would go beyond what is required to say or would choose not to say anything at any given situation for both females and males. I understand that the data I have collected is not sufficient enough to make such claim, and it would be interesting to see what I might get if I extend this discourse completion questionnaire to a bigger range of ages, cultures, and statuses.
Author
Chienyu Jade Yi
Current student at Wheaton College, Graduate School,
TESOL and Cultural Study, Missionary Track
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