Teaching Speaking Tactics

When learner’s can’t speak, what can they do? Avoidance is a common strategy. Learners either change the topic, or clam up completely.

However, there are a number of other strategies that can help learners and, if used judiciously, are probably more benaeficial.

1. Use L1 based strategies:

In closely related languages a literal translation might work.
Switch languages and use an L1 one in the middle of an 2 sentence.
Ask for help or assistance.
Use Non-verbal strategies, for example, mime.
Anglicise L2, in other words, use a word in L1 but with an English pronunciation hoping that the listener understands.

2. Use L2 based strategies:

Word coinage: make up a new word – especially if you know how word formation works.
Circumlocution: describe the characteristics of something.
Approximation: use a word that means something similar, for example a beginner might call a lorry a car.
Restructuring: the learner can repeat the idea using different words to make their idea more clear.
Reduction: saying things in simplified ways.

What can teachers do?

Try to get learners ti maintain the flow of the converstaion by:

1.Describing the characteristics of items:
“It’s made of…”
“It looks like…”
“It’s sort of…”
“Children eat it…”

2. Buying thinking time:
“Mmmmm that’s a good question…”
“Well… let me see…”
“Well… let me think…”
“Now, how shall I put it?”
“Let me put it this way”
“Mmm, that’s a difficult question, let me see…”
These can be practised as a drill in which learners are asked delibertately difficult questions.

3. Interactional strategies
Ask for help: “How do you say?”
Asking for repetition: “Sorry?”, “Pardon?”
Asking for clarification: “Could you explain that again?”

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