LEARNING TO SPEAK AND WRITE WELL 7.

Interruptions
8. Long discourses
Why is it important to speak and write English well? Think it out for yourself. Have you 9. Tactless and offensive remarks
not often said about some person, “I like to hear him talk”? Or “I love the way the author 10. Gossip
writes”?
Checking Your Skills in Speech and Manners While Conversing
That is because you appreciate art in speaking and writing, just as much as you do in a
picture or in a lovely, natural scene. The following questions will further guide you in checking your skills in speech
and manners when conversing:
Do you want to acquire the same skills that these people you admire possess? Then begin
by noticing carefully your own speech. Practice well and often. You may stumble at the 1. Is my voice pleasing?
beginning, but soon you will acquire new words, new ideas, and a growing ability to express 2. Do I speak distinctly?
yourself well. 3. Do I pronounce my words correctly?
4. Do I use my best English?
Conversation: A Good Test of A Language Ability 5. Do I show an active interest in what others say?
6. Do I occasionally ask a question to draw out a shy person?
Your conversation is a good test of your language ability. Does it show that you need to 7. Do I avoid overworked expressions?
improve your power to choose the right words? Speak more clearly? 8. Am I cheerful and good-natured in my conversation?
9. Do I avoid unkind words and gossip?
Tips for being a good conversationalist: 10. Do I avoid interrupting/
11. Do I avoid monopolizing the conversation?
1. Be a good listener. A good listener is polite and alert, and encourages the person 12. Do I avoid contradicting?
talking. 13. Do I avoid changing the subject abruptly?
2. Be tactful. Even when people make inaccurate statements, spare them 14. Do I avoid tactless remarks?
embarrassment. Avoid blunt contradictions like “That’s foolish.” 15. Do I enter a discussion to learn the truth?
Instead, say pleasantly, “yes, but I think– ” or “That is interesting, but don’t 16. Do I avoid questions about private or personal matters?
you think – ” 17. Do I avoid and-ur, so-ur, and other urs by turning my voice off when I stop
Questions about personal matters are better avoided, like “How much did you to think?
pay for that dress?” or “How much is your salary?” 18. Do I keep up to date on current topics?
3. Be considerate and good-natured. A few unkind words can easily make an enemy of
friend. Always be kind in manners, speech and deeds. Courtesies in Conversation
4. Be courteous. Give others a chance to express their ideas. Avoid interrupting even
when you are fairly bursting with bright remarks. If you are in a group, scatter your In a conversation, each member of the group must respect the rights of all the
attention all over the members of the group. And don’t be ‘me-deep” in your others. Tell why the following are acts of discourtesies in conversation.
conversation.
5. Speak distinctly. Make it easy for people to listen to you. if something is worth A heated argument between two people
saying, it is worth hearing. Practice pronouncing distinctly the last sound of each Unkind criticisms of a speaker
word and the last word of every sentence you say. Too many and too long speeches by one person
Watch your pitch and volume, and vary them to add interest to what you are Interrupting a speaker
saying.
6. Tell people things that will please them. Read the following questions and answers. in each case tell which answer is the
7. Keep confidences. Don’t gossip. more courteous and helpful one. Try to give good reasons for your choice.
8. Listen more than you speak, smile more than you frown, laugh with others rather
than at others, and always watch your manners, whether you are happy or not. 1. Mr. Cruz: Is this your physical education day?
Anita: No.
What to Avoid in Conversations Lydia: No, Miss Consulta. Our P.E. days are Tuesday and Thursday.
1. Sweeping statements like “Philippine movies are of a low grade.”
2. A “holier-than-thou” attitude 2. Mother: Are you ready for school?
3. Arguments Jorrel: No.
4. Insincerity and exaggerations Jelly: No, Mother. But I will be when I find a handkerchief.
5. Boastfulness and affectations, pomposity and verbosity
6. “Hogging” the limelight
 Tell why the following are discourteous or thoughtless answers in many instances: 5. Practice speaking English at most instances to achieve confidence
and fluency.
Nodding or shaking your head to mean yes or no.

Shrugging your shoulders instead of speaking. Again: To learn English, listen to it, read it, speak it, and write it as
often as you can, everywhere you can.
Answering without looking at the person asking the question.
Asking the Right Questions
Saying “Uh-huh” 1. Pretend you are new in your neighborhood. What ten questions
can you ask about it?
SPEAK ENGLISH WITH CONFIDENCE
2. Frame ten questions you would have to ask –
Is there an “ideal speaker” of a language? a. As a new employee in an office
b. If a new family were to move to your neighborhood
According to language specialists, the ideal speaker is an abstraction. c. If you were invited to a wedding
Communicative competence, even in our mother tongue, is relative. We all grope for d. If you were asked to prepare dinner
words, make occasional mistakes, and some of us even pause more than is e. If you were going to vote for Barangay Officials
considered “normal”. But despite these so-called “imperfections”, we do manage to
communicate daily! 3. Ask questions beginning with the following words:
a. In what way j. How long
How about our students? What happens when they try to communicate in a b. Why k. How often
system they are still building? Some manage to convey their messages well; others c. How l. How much
still find themselves abandoning their ideas in mid-sentence, or avoiding d. When m. Where
communication for fear of making mistakes, for lack of confidence. e. Could n. What
f. Were o. Who
But little do we know that even native speakers are not “perfect”. As a result of g. What kind p. How many
anxiety, fatigue, inattention, or lack of knowledge, they can also produce faulty h. Should q. What time
sentences. Unfortunately, adult learners fall into that illusive trap of perfection too i. Which
often.
Making a Request
Input is very important, not only for the acquisition of language, but also of
language, but also for the maintenance and development of a second language. Ask for things courteously, and your chances of getting them will be
good.
Sources of input are:
1. interlanguage talk Not this: Mr. Valdez, I need another day for my project.
2. listening and reading activities But this: Mr. Valdez, may I please have one more day to finish my
3. video sessions, songs project?
4. teacher talk
Not this: Go to the store, Elena, and buy…
closely related to input is interaction. Students should be encouraged to search But this: Elena, please go to the store and buy…
for practice opportunities outside the classroom. We suggest that they –
1. Read extensively Don’t request something or ask permission to do something that your
2. Attend workshops and plays in English common sense tells you is foolish or dangerous. Unless you can think of at
3. Correspond with pen pals least one good reason why your request should be granted, don’t waste time in
4. Relax when talking and accept their mistakes as natural in language asking. Try to foresee objections and plan how to meet them. Back up your
learning request with sound reasons. Even if don’t get your wish, say “thank you”
pleasantly.
 When making a request of busy person, arrange an appointment with him Six Ways to Make People Like You
by letter, in person, or by telephone. At the interview, be courteous. Don’t forget to
thank the person at the end. 1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile.
Answering a Complaint 3. Remember that a man’s name is to him the sweetest and the most
important sound in any language.
When a person compliments you, let him see that you are pleased. Do not 4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
respond by criticizing the very thing he is admiring. 5. Talk in terms of the other man’s interest.
For example, if he says, “Your dress is very pretty,” don’t answer this with “ I 6. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.
think the color is terrible – it doesn’t become me.” That’s probably telling him “You
don’t know what you’re talking about.” Better to just smile and say a pleasant “thank
you, I’m glad you like it.”

On the Telephone

The voice with a smile counts. Especially on the telephone, because the other
person cannot see you. He will judge you mainly by your voice.

Whether you are tired, disturbed, or busy, let your voice sparkle with vitality.

Always remember to be courteous, voice to voice, as you would be face to face.

Speak clearly, softly, in a natural tone and directly into the transmitter. Tell by your
tone that you are interested.

Very long telephone conversations should be avoided. They are not only
discourteous or a nuisance, they may also be unkind, as when they block emergency
calls.

Courtesy also demands that the phone be answered promptly. When somebody
is on the phone nearby, be reasonably quiet.

Why should you answer the telephone as quickly as possible?

What should you do if you answer a telephone and the person who is wanted
and not at home?

What should you say if you have to call a doctor for someone who is sick and
someone using the line?

Dramatize some right ways of handling the following situations.

You are talking with a friend and the party line interrupts to make an emergency
call.

You want to ask someone about an urgent problem but you feel it is an
inconvenient time to call.