This skill check assesses ability in the various communication functions.

The 7 main communication functions are as follows:

⚫ Instrumental function ⚫ Interactional function

(ア) To guide the actions of the listener
(イ) Is focused on the action of the listener.
① On your mark, get set, go!
② Don’t touch the stove!
③ Move over.
④ Give me that.
⚫ Regulatory function
(ア) Language for approval, disapproval, behavior
control, setting laws and rules.
(イ) Is focused on the listener themselves and not
just their actions.
① If you break the mirror, you will have bad
luck.
② Staying up late will make you sleepy
tomorrow.
③ Do as you’re told!
④ You need to finish your homework for
good grades.
⚫ Representational function
(ア) Statements, convey facts and knowledge,
explain or report
① The sun is hot.
② The president gave a speech last night.
③ Japan won the soccer game.
④ The world is round.
(ア) Communication etiquette, social
maintenance, establish social contact, keep
communication – interacting with others.
(イ) Requires knowledge of slang, jargon, jokes,
folklore, cultural mores, politeness, formality
expectations, and other key social exchange.
① Please.
② Thank you.
③ Can I take a rain check?
⚫ Personal function
(ア) Express feeling, emotion, personality, “gut-
level” reactions.
(イ) Language that expresses one’s identity.
① Holy shit!
② My favorite … is … because…
③ That makes me sad.
⚫ Heuristic function
(ア) Language used to acquire knowledge, often in
the form of questions that lead to an answer.
① Why?
② What is the best way to get to Tokyo?
⚫ Imaginative function
(ア) Serves to create imaginary systems or ideas.
Telling fairy tales, joking, writing a novel,
poetry, tongue twisters, puns.
Toasty English and Japanese

Gregory, Michael. “Explorations in the Functions of Language, by M. A. K. Halliday. (Explorations in

Language Study, 2) London: Edward Arnold (Macmillan of Canada), 1973. Pp. 140 3 Tables.” Canadian
Journal of Linguistics/Revue Canadienne De Linguistique, vol. 21, no. 2, 1976, pp. 196–199.,
doi:10.1017/S0008413100008203.
Giving the skill check:
Each assessment is a 2-page script for the teacher and likely responses for the student.

Points are tallied according to function

after each interaction.

Points with an “L” are for listening. They

receive points when they understand
what the teacher is saying by responding
appropriately.

Points with an “S” are for speaking. They

receive points when they give correct
answers.

O
Mark points with a “O” in the [ ]
brackets to be totaled later.

Notes when awarding points for the functions:

- Points for listening should still be awarded even if students ask you to
repeat the prompt. If they need you to rephrase the prompt, then points
should not be awarded.
- Points for listening should not be awarded if student’s response does not
match the teacher’s prompt.
- Points for speaking should be awarded for accurate interpretable
responses, even if there are grammatical mistakes.
Notes when awarding points for Pronunciation:
- Pronunciation is awarded on a scale of 1-10 for overall performance.
- [1]-katakana pronunciation
- [5]-good pronunciation with some katakana
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- [10]-good pronunciation throughout

Notes when awarding points for Form:
- Form is awarded on a scale of 1-10 for overall performance.
- [1]-one-word responses
- [5]-full sentences but with many grammatical mistakes
- [10]-full sentences with very few to no grammatical mistakes
Finally, add up the scores and average them. Use the excel file to calculate
and show a visual of student scores. (***Adjust the total points available to get accurate calculations)
Beginner Assessment 1 (Teacher’s paper)
Student Name___________________________
InstL _____/7
InstS _____/2
T: Come in and take a seat. [InstL ]
Inst (total_____)/9
Good afternoon.
Inst ________% (100%max)
S: Good afternoon. [Int ]
RegS(_____)/2
T: What is your name? [HeuL ]
Reg ________%(100%max)
S: (Name) [RepS ]
RepL _____/5
(Name) Welcome to the Communication assessment.
RepS _____/11
How are you today? [HeuL ]
Rep (total_____)/16
S: I’m good/nervous/etc.. [RepS ]
Rep ________%(100%max)
T: Good!/No problem!/Okay.
Int(_____)/7
Let’s get started.
Int ________%(100%max)
S: Okay. [Int ]
T: Here is your paper. PerS(_____)/4

Please write your name at the top. [InstL ] Per ________%(100%max)

S: Can I have a pencil, please? [HeuS+Int ] HeuL _____/12

T: Of course! Here you are. (give S a pencil.) HeuS _____/2

S: Thank you. [Int ] Heu (total_____)/14

T: Now, I want you to look at picture 1 and listen. Heu ________%(100%max)

Circle things that are the same, and put an x on the things ImaS (total_____)/2
that are different. [InstL ] Ima ________%(100%max)
T: Let’s begin. Pronunciation 1-10:_______
The boy is drinking. [RepL ] Pronunciation ________%
There are two mountains. [RepL ] Form (grammar) 1-10: _______
The bird is blue. [RepL ] Form _______%
The frog is on the log. [RepL ] [Total %s________]
It’s a sunny day. [RepL ] Avg. Percent:________%
T: Good, now look at picture 2.
Please tell me what the mom is saying. [InstL ]
S: She is saying, …“Wake up!”[InstS ]
T: What do you think will happen next? [HeuL ]
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S: … [ImaS ]
T: Good, now look at picture 3.
Please tell me what the mom is saying. [InstL ]
S: She is saying, …“Come here.” [InstS ]
T: What do you think will happen next? [HeuL ]
S: … [ImaS ]
T: Thank you.
look at the bags.
One of them is mine.
 Ask me yes or no questions to find out.
Then tell me which bag is mine. [InstL ]
S: Is it blue? / Is it big? / Does it have wheels? / etc. [HeuS ]
It’s this bag! [RepS ]
T: Okay, thank you!
Please give me your paper. [InstL ]
Now I am going to ask you 8 questions, Okay?
S: Okay. [Int ]
T: 1) How old are you? [HeuL ]
I’m … years old. [RepS ]
2) When do you go to bed at night? [HeuL ]
I go to bed at…. [RepS ]
3) Where do you live? [HeuL ]
I live in (location no larger than Matsue). [RepS ]
4) Who is one of your friends? [HeuL ]
(Friend’s name)/ (other response showing understanding) [Rep+PerS ]
5) Which do you like more, cats or dogs? [HeuL ]
I like … more / I like them both. [Rep+PerS ]
6) Why do you like … more? [HeuL ]
Because… / Just because. / etc. [Rep+PerS ]
7) What makes you happy? [HeuL ]
… makes me happy. [Rep+Reg+PerS ]
8) What rules do you have at school? [HeuL ]
… [Rep+RegS ]
T: Thank you.
That is all for today’s assessment.
Have a nice day/afternoon!
S: Thank you. (You too!) [Int ]
T: Goodbye. / See you.
S: Goodbye. / See you. [Int ]
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Beginner Assessment 1
Name:__________________________
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