E-03.08 Have Social Conversation with Features of Fluent Speech (Pausing & Sound Linking)

Part Three-9 (Have Social Conversation with Pausing & Sound Linking: Talk About People, from Beginners’ Before Speaking with Pronunciation Principles, pages 133-143 + Suggested Language for Activities on pages 53-58 of BegBeSp wPrPr  Answer Key for Text 

12 + 6 = 18 pages   

Who It’s For: American-English (Self-)Teachers & Helpers of Advancing Learners Acquiring What Sounds Like Fluency with Sound Linking & Expressive Pausing.    

Why It’s Useful: To “simulate authenticity” in your (your students’) (acquired) American-English accents, you can (help them) develop stress-timed rhythm with appropriate  pitch and intonation.  If you then add meaningful Sound Linking & Pausing to your (their) speech, it will be perceived as fluent.  The content of this immediately applicable E-03.08 Download is “Effective Social Conversation.”  Whether guided or free-form, text users will have plenty of opportunity to converse. Attached Answers to Text Exercises provide additional input and reassurance. 

What You’ll Do:             

[1] On pages 133-135, assimilate the (multi-leveled) pedagogy on possible Pausing Points between Thought Groups plus the Linking of Words within them. Understand and practice retelling an anecdote about Social Conversation (these days).  The Vocabulary section on pages 136-138 provides more guidance in these features.  Its Pronunciation Examples are illustrations of Elements of Effective Conversation: Greetings, Use of Names, Small Talk, Sincere Listening, Expressions of Interest, Open-Ended Questions, Thoughtful Responses, (Requests for) Clarification, Acknowledgement, Paraphrase, Conversational Linkages, Graceful Endings.  Next comes a two-page Conversation to practice with, following its Syllable-Stress, Intonation, Sound-Linking, & Pausing markings—or not. 

[2] The last three pages of the Download offers suggestions for how to “Have Effective Social Conversation.” Its sample Open-Ended Questions are pertinent to Names, Personal Info, Living Situations, Family / Social Life, Work, Education, Interests, Values, the Future. These are topics almost certain to insure successful interaction, especially when the advice in Challenge Activities is followed. Be sure to Listen Effectively, Make Sure You Understand, Ask Clarifying Questions, Acknowledge Others, Forget About Yourself, Don’t Panic Over Pauses, Know When the Conversation is Over.