Embedded Files
Make communication flow smoothly
Make communication flow smoothly
Discourse markers are expressions that make communication flow more smoothly. Match each expression below with a function it serves. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
a. to open a presentation
a. to open a presentation
b. to sequence information
b. to sequence information
c. to add information
c. to add information
d. to introduce similarities
d. to introduce similarities
e. to introduce contrasts
e. to introduce contrasts
f. to close a presentation
f. to close a presentation
_____ 1. in conclusion
_____ 2. next
_____ 3. similarly
_____ 4. to begin
_____ 5. nevertheless
_____ 6. in addition
_____ 7. to sum up
_____ 8. first of all
_____ 9. likewise
_____ 10. yet
_____ 11. first / second / third
_____ 12. furthermore
Getting your message across
Getting your message across
Persuasive writing
Persuasive writing
In persuasive writing, you take a position on an issue and try to convince the reader that your position is correct. To do so, you present both sides of the issue, providing arguments, reasons, and examples that support your point of view and show weaknesses of the opposing point of view.
Read the article. What is the writer's position? What are the arguments for the opposing view? What arguments, reasons, and examples does the writer give to support his position and to show the weaknesses of the opposing viewpoint?
With a peer, take a position on one of these issues related to language, or use your own idea. Then brainstorm reasons supporting your position and weaknesses of the opposing view. Which reasons are the strongest?
Schools should teach a second language starting in kindergarten.
Every foreign language student should be required to study abroad.
Institutions should be created to preserve dying languages.
proposed put forward (a pain, an offer, an idea, etc.)
do away with get rid of something
mandates makes something required/compulsory
shortsighted unable to see how a situation will be in the future
proficient very good at
disservice something harmful or unhelpful
What's correct language?
What's correct language?
Do you think writing in English is easier than speaking in English?
Read these statements about language. Choose the statements you agree with.
Discuss your opinions.
👱 I disagree with the first sentence. A lot of people need to write well for their jobs.
majority the largest amount of a whole
slang informal, nonstandard words and phrases
has the right is allowed
minority the smallest amount of a whole
A way with words
A way with words
Learn and practice using idioms related to use of language. (10 minutes)
The expressions on the left can be used to comment on the way people speak. Match them with their definitions on the right.
1. have a sharp tongue _____
2. have a way with words _____
3. stick to the point _____
4. talk around a point _____
5. talk behind someone's back _____
6. talk someone into something _____
7. talk someone's ear off _____
8. love to hear oneself talk _____
a. talk about something without addressing it directly
b. enjoy talking even if nobody is paying attention
c. talk about a person without him or her knowing
d. continue talking about a main idea
e. talk in a bitter, critical way
f. talk until the other person is tired of listening
g. convince a person to do something
h. have a talent for speaking
Use expressions from above to comment on these people and the way they are speaking.
Assert yourself!
Assert yourself!
English varieties
English varieties
Which countries have English as their main language?
Which countries have a high percentage of their population who can speak English?
Can you hear a difference in accent or idioms when you watch a movie or listen to people from different English-language-speaking countries?
Which of these statements would the author probably agree with? Compare and discuss your answers.
1. It's important for anyone learning a foreign language to ever sound like a native speaker.
2. Studying books about slang is an effective way to learn how it's used.
3. Despite how connected the word is, slang and idioms remain very local.
4. Really learning a language means knowing how people actually use it.
Discuss these questions. Then share your answers with the group.
1. Do you agree with the author's idea that one can only really learn a language by living in a country where it's spoken? Why or why not?
2. Have you or anyone you know had any experiences like the one in the first paragraph? What happened? Do you think such misunderstandings are common?
abroad in or to a foreign country or countries.
convenience store a store that sells many everyday items and is open 24 hours or late into the evening
muster produce
converse have a conversation
credibility qualities someone has that make people respect or admire them
mere only
extended (tourist) (a tourist) staying a long time
fool make people believe something that is not true
belong feel you are part of a group
common ground something that people can agree on
the same on paper the same in theory, but not in real life
on the ground in the country where the language is spoken (in this context)
Academic Writing
Academic Writing
Complete the summary of the terms associated with academic writing using the following words.
obvious organize topic
When you write an essay, you need to think about what you believe is true or not as far as the essay __________ is concerned. This is known as the writer’s position (or the thesis statement). You should not state your position in an __________ way, but you should build an argument in the essay that supports you position. You should also __________ your argument into paragraphs. Most paragraphs contain a main idea, which is sometimes known as a topic sentence.
George Bernard Shaw said, "England and America are two countries separated by a common language". I never really understood the meaning of this quote until a friend and I stopped at a London convenience store. We had some trash to throw away, so I, in as polite a manner as I could muster, asked the clerk for a trash can. Then I asked him again, thinking he didn't hear me. And then I asked again, only this time while speaking the international language (loudly and slowly while pointing to the object I wanted to throw away).
a2 b3 c1a2 b3 c2 d1 e3 f1
Cambridge Academic English B1+ Intermediate Student's Book: An Integrated Skills Course for EAP
By Craig Thaine, Michael McCarthy, Cambridge University Press, Feb 9, 2012
Google Sites
Report abuse