Verbs of Communication
Learning goals
–You will be able to define verbs of communication and identify their roles in conveying messages and information.
– You will be able to recognize and accurately use common verbs of communication such as say, tell, speak, talk, ask, answer, reply, discuss, explain, shout, whisper, announce, declare, and mention in various contexts.
–You will improve your active listening and speaking skills through role-playing and debates, ensuring you can use verbs of communication effectively in conversations.
–You will be able to write clear and coherent texts using a variety of verbs of communication, demonstrating an understanding of their proper usage.
–You will become more aware of how you use verbs of communication in daily interactions and will be able to analyze and reflect on your communication habits.
EXAMPLES
- Say: Used to express words spoken by someone.
- Example: She said she would come to the party.
- Tell: Used when informing someone about something.
- Example: He told me the secret.
- Speak: Used to describe the act of talking, often focusing on the ability or process.
- Example: She speaks three languages fluently.
- Talk: Similar to “speak” but often used for more casual conversation.
- Example: Let’s talk about your plans for the weekend.
- Ask: Used when posing a question.
- Example: I asked him if he could help me.
- Answer: Used to respond to a question.
- Example: She answered all the questions correctly.
- Reply: Used to respond, often in a conversation or correspondence.
- Example: He replied to her email promptly.
- Discuss: Used when talking about something in detail.
- Example: We need to discuss our project proposal.
- Explain: Used to make something clear or understandable.
- Example: Can you explain this math problem to me?
- Announce: Used to make a public or formal statement.
- Example: They announced the winners of the competition.
Learning activities
Role-Playing Conversations
Objective: Practice using verbs of communication in real-life scenarios.
Instructions:
- This activity will be done in pairs.
- Each pair will be provided with a scenario card that includes a situation requiring communication (e.g., a job interview, a parent-teacher meeting, a debate about a school policy).
- Each pair acts out the scenario using as many verbs of communication as possible.
- After each role-play, the class will be asked to identify the verbs of communication used.
Communication Diary
Objective: Enhance your awareness of how you use verbs of communication in daily life.
Instructions:
- Keep a diary for one week, recording at least five instances each day where you used verbs of communication.
- Each entry should include the context, the verb used, and the purpose of the communication.
- At the end of the week, share some of your entries with the class and discuss any patterns or insights you observed.
Communication Debate
Objective: Encourage yourself to use verbs of communication in structured arguments.
Instructions:
- The class will be divided into two groups and will be assigned with a position on a debate topic (e.g., “Social media improves communication” vs. “Social media hinders communication”).
- Each group prepares their arguments, ensuring you use a variety of verbs of communication.
- Each side will be presenting their arguments and responding to the other side’s points.
- After the debate, we will discuss how effectively each group used verbs of communication to make your points.
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