This document provides an overview of oral communication activities for teaching students listening and speaking skills. It discusses the benefits of various pair, small group, whole class, and individual activities. These include pair work to practice skills needed for larger groups, small group work to develop critical thinking and cooperation, whole class activities to promote belonging and participation, and presentations to improve skills with practice and support. The document stresses creating a comfortable environment and providing language support to motivate students and ensure activities are at an appropriate level.

1. HAVE FUN LEARNING, HAVE FUN TEACHING ORAL COMMUNICATION

2. NiceNames Findyourpartner Mysuitcase Letters in the air Warm up activities WANTS: HOPES:

3. ORAL SKILLS: LISTENING AND SPEAKING Classroom talk helps students to learn, to reflect on what they are learning, and to communicate their knowledge and understanding. Students need authentic opportunities to learn how to listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations. Flyerspicturesspeakings.

6. Whole-class work Students learn more readily in a class where they experience cooperation and a sense of belonging. By involving the whole class in shared activities, and by teaching students how to be good listeners, to respect each other and to participate without fear, you can maximize participation and minimize anxiety for all students. Minglegames: «Who’smypartner?» Thebirthday line Video conference

7. Presentations Presenting in front of a class can be a terrifying experience. Most students dread the class presentation, especially if they have not had enough instruction or practice before evaluation. By taking time to teach effective presentation skills before such an assignment, you free the student to focus on the content instead of the “performance.” The quality of presentations improves with effective instruction, practice and support. From: T H I N K L I T E R A C Y: C r o s s - C u r r i c u l a r A p p r o a c h e s Presentations Famousartists

8. Performances They engage children in “learning by doing” at a number of different levels. Preparing and performing a class play or a role-play can also have enormous benefits for children’s language development, confidence and self-esteem. Europe’s tour

9. Thinkaboutthefollowingquestions and use the responses toevaluatehowthingswent and plan possibleimprovementsfornext time: Motivation: Didyourpupilswantto listen orspeak? Purpose: wasitclear? Language: werethelanguagedemandsappropiate? Wastheresufficientpractice? Learningsupport: didtheyhaveanysupport: pictures, scripts,… Timing: wastheactivitysuitablelengthtokeeptheinterest and involvement? Reflection time

10. Mingle Peer dictation Describing a picture Surveys One minute talks Guessinggames Guessthe lie Chainstory Drama Balloon debate Panel discussions Jokes, asnecdotes Otherspeakingactivities

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