english skills

English skillsEnglish skills

Outline Outline• Introduction

• English Linguistics approach

• The use of English as a second language.

• English skills • The international English assessment

systems

• Conclusion & discussion

• Introduction

• English Linguistics approach

• The use of English as a second language.

• English skills • The international English assessment

systems

• Conclusion & discussion

Introduction Introduction

• The English language is spoken by 750 million people in the world as either the official language of a nation, a second language, or in a mixture with other languages ( pidgins and creoles.)

• The English language is spoken by 750 million people in the world as either the official language of a nation, a second language, or in a mixture with other languages ( pidgins and creoles.)

IntroductionIntroduction• English is a West Germanic language

originating in England, and the first language for most people in the ANGLOPHONE CARIBBEAN

• English is a West Germanic language originating in England, and the first language for most people in the ANGLOPHONE CARIBBEAN

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germanic_languages

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England



IntroductionIntroduction

• English is a West Germanic language originating in England, and the first language for most people in the

AUSTRALIA 15,581,334 N.S


AUSTRALIA 15,581,334 N.S







CANADA 17,694,830 N.S


CANADA 17,694,830 N.S







NEW- ZEALAND 3,500,000+ N.S (approx)


NEW- ZEALAND 3,500,000+ N.S (approx)







IRELAND 4,200,000+ N.S (approx)


IRELAND 4,200,000+ N.S (approx)







UNITED KINGDOM 58,200,000 N.S


UNITED KINGDOM 58,200,000 N.S







USA 214,809,000 N.S


USA 214,809,000 N.S





IntroductionIntroductionCommonwealth Countries

Commonwealth Countries

IntroductionIntroductionCommonwealth InternationalCountries organizations

Commonwealth InternationalCountries organizations


United Nations


United Nations


The Anglosphere

United Nations


The Anglosphere

United Nations


A native or fluent speaker of English is known as an

Anglophone A native or fluent speaker of English is known as an

Anglophone



Anglophone

« English »


Anglophone

« English »



Anglophone

« sound, speech »


Anglophone

« sound, speech »


• Modern English is sometimes described as a linguafranca.

• English is the dominant language in many fields• British Empire is the primary reason for the

initial spread • Since World War II, United States has

accelerated the adoption of English.• As a result, over a billion people speak English .

• Modern English is sometimes described as a linguafranca.

• English is the dominant language in many fields• British Empire is the primary reason for the

initial spread • Since World War II, United States has

accelerated the adoption of English.• As a result, over a billion people speak English .

IntroductionChanges in English (Demonstration)


1.Old English (ca .500 CE-1100 CE)1.Old English (ca .500 CE-1100 CE)



2.Middle English (ca. 1100 CE -1500 CE )2.Middle English (ca. 1100 CE -1500 CE )



3.Early Modern English (ca. 1500 CE-1800 CE )

3.Early Modern English (ca. 1500 CE-1800 CE )

English linguistics approachEnglish linguistics approach

Linguistics

-Grammar : parts of speech ; Nouns, adj, adv, prepositions,

conjunctions, pronouns, verbs,

interjections.

-Phonology

-Phonetics

-Morphology

Linguistics

-Grammar : parts of speech ; Nouns, adj, adv, prepositions,

conjunctions, pronouns, verbs,

interjections.

-Phonology

-Phonetics

-Morphology


Language theory / Language technology

( Competence & performance ) « Chomsky » « Colourless green ideas sleep furiously » S V Adv


( Competence & performance ) « Chomsky » « Colourless green ideas sleep furiously » S V Adv



What significance can language technology have for the language theory ?


What significance can language technology have for the language theory ?



The problem of ambiguity in relation to the current language processing systems


The problem of ambiguity in relation to the current language processing systems


Language theory / Language technology How can we be able to turn linguistics into a hard science ?

Language theory / Language technology How can we be able to turn linguistics into a hard science ?


• Language theory / Language technology

What are the limitations of current language systems ?


What are the limitations of current language systems ?



What is competence and performance ? « Colourless green ideas sleep furiously » S V Adv

Grammar Meaning


What is competence and performance ? « Colourless green ideas sleep furiously » S V Adv

Grammar Meaning

The use of English as a 2nd languageThe use of English as a 2nd language

Meeting Obama was

great !Unfortunate

ly,I couldn’t

speakwell

English…

The use of English as a 2nd language1-Common errorsThe use of English as a 2nd language1-Common errors

What is an error in English ?What is an error in English ?


All deviations from the standard use of English as judged by sophisticated users

Awareness

The aim is

Avoid (-) consequences

All deviations from the standard use of English as judged by sophisticated users

Awareness

The aim is

Avoid (-) consequences


Why don’t we cover all important points

of grammar ?

Why don’t we cover all important points

of grammar ?


Lack of practice

Dealing with other languages backgrounds

Insufficient input Listening Reading

Unstructured output Speaking Writing

Lack of practice

Dealing with other languages backgrounds

Insufficient input Listening Reading

Unstructured output Speaking Writing

The use of English as a 2nd language2-IdiomsThe use of English as a 2nd language2-Idioms

1-idiomatic expressions:

Confusing an idiomatic expression. Difficulties understanding the meanings.

1-idiomatic expressions:

Confusing an idiomatic expression. Difficulties understanding the meanings.


1-Idiomatic expressions:

exp : literal meaning

« Before the bartender made the drink,she broke the ice with a small hammer and dropped it into the blender. »

idiomatic meaning

« Before the conference began, the speaker broke the ice with a joke.”


exp : literal meaning

« Before the bartender made the drink,she broke the ice with a small hammer and dropped it into the blender. »

idiomatic meaning

« Before the conference began, the speaker broke the ice with a joke.”



broke the ice

To make a beginning To get through the

1st difficulties in starting a

conversation


broke the ice

To make a beginning To get through the

1st difficulties in starting a

conversation


2-Phrasal verb:

Frequently heard in spoken English

Phrasal verb is a verb + preposition structure

Sometimes referred to as 2-word or 3-word verb.

Special meaning

2-Phrasal verb:

Frequently heard in spoken English

Phrasal verb is a verb + preposition structure

Sometimes referred to as 2-word or 3-word verb.

Special meaning


2-Phrasal verb:Exp:

Put off –delay............................ postpone

Sow up – appear ...........................come

2-Phrasal verb:Exp:

Put off –delay............................ postpone

Sow up – appear ...........................come


• The focus on this point is :

-To highlight the importance of each skill area.

-To illustrate each skill requirements

-To gather a global 4-skills-concept in mind

• The focus on this point is :

-To highlight the importance of each skill area.

-To illustrate each skill requirements

-To gather a global 4-skills-concept in mind


What do you have to do before you can speak? What does a child learn before he talks?

What do we do before chatting?

What do you have to do before you can speak? What does a child learn before he talks?

What do we do before chatting?


Listening

Listening

English skills1-ListeningEnglish skills1-Listening

Children begin listening to their parents

Children automatically acquire such language

listening can help improve speaking considerably

It is neither the easiest nor the most meaningless

Children begin listening to their parents

Children automatically acquire such language

listening can help improve speaking considerably

It is neither the easiest nor the most meaningless


Why is listening good ?Why is listening good ?


Reviewing a lot of English usage

Learning new words and expressions

General knowledge

We can imitate what we hear

Listening can be a good “hobby”

To train our attention.

Reviewing a lot of English usage

Learning new words and expressions

General knowledge

We can imitate what we hear

Listening can be a good “hobby”

To train our attention.


How can we listen to English? How can we listen to English?


Radio programmes

English broadcaster

Radio programmes

English broadcaster


Some of the most listening skills are :

-Listening for gist

-Listening for detail

-Listening for specific information

-Inferential listening

Some of the most listening skills are :

-Listening for gist

-Listening for detail

-Listening for specific information

-Inferential listening


Speaking

Speaking

English skills2-SpeakingEnglish skills2-Speaking

How do you become a more confident English speaker ?

How do you become a more confident English speaker ?


• Practice anywhere, anytime.• Build confidence• Experiment English that you know• Try to Respond• Avoid translation • Avoid being silent• Don’t speak too fast• Relax

• Practice anywhere, anytime.• Build confidence• Experiment English that you know• Try to Respond• Avoid translation • Avoid being silent• Don’t speak too fast• Relax


Remember, when speaking English…Remember, when speaking English…


• Be less hesitant

• Don’t be shy to speak

• Be polite

• Be less hesitant

• Don’t be shy to speak

• Be polite


Reading

Reading

English skills3-ReadingEnglish skills3-Reading

Do I read every word in my own language when I am reading a schedule, summary, or other outlining document?

Do I read every word in my own language when I am reading a schedule, summary, or other outlining document?


Do I read every word in my own language when I am reading a

schedule, summary, or other outlining document?

No !

Do I read every word in my own language when I am reading a

schedule, summary, or other outlining document?

No !


Skimming

Scanning

Extensive reading

Intensive reading

Skimming

Scanning

Extensive reading

Intensive reading


SkimmingSkimming


ScanningScanning


Extensive readingExtensive reading


Intensive readingIntensive reading


Writing

Writing

English skills4-WritingEnglish skills4-Writing

Write with necessary caution…Write with necessary caution…


• Avoid slangs

• Avoid abbreviations unless necessary

• Steer away from symbols « & »

• Becareful with stereotypes (clichés)

• ( ) to play down words or phrases

• _ for emphasis

• Spell names correctly

• Avoid slangs

• Avoid abbreviations unless necessary

• Steer away from symbols « & »

• Becareful with stereotypes (clichés)

• ( ) to play down words or phrases

• _ for emphasis

• Spell names correctly


Numbers < 10 should be expressed as words

exp : « Ten years ago,my brother… ».

Numbers > 10 are expressed as they are exp « My brother has 13 sandal peers ».

(“ ” / ‘ ’) should be placed around speech and titles .

Keep short sentences.

Numbers < 10 should be expressed as words

exp : « Ten years ago,my brother… ».

Numbers > 10 are expressed as they are exp « My brother has 13 sandal peers ».

(“ ” / ‘ ’) should be placed around speech and titles .

Keep short sentences.


Remember…

Input Output(listening, reading) (speaking,

writing)

Remember…

Input Output(listening, reading) (speaking,

writing)

The international English assessment systemsThe international English assessment systems

Cambridge exams: IELTS, BEC

Exams from British examining boards

Using British English

Cambridge exams: IELTS, BEC

Exams from British examining boards

Using British English

The international English assessment systems


American Exams: TOEFL, TOEICExams from U-S examining boards Using American English

American Exams: TOEFL, TOEICExams from U-S examining boards Using American English



• The main levels:Advanced / Proficient / Level 5Upper Intermediate / Higher

Intermediate / Level 4Intermediate / Level 3Lower Intermediate/Pre-

Intermediate/Primary/ Level 2Elementary / Beginners / Basic / Level

1

• The main levels:Advanced / Proficient / Level 5Upper Intermediate / Higher

Intermediate / Level 4Intermediate / Level 3Lower Intermediate/Pre-

Intermediate/Primary/ Level 2Elementary / Beginners / Basic / Level

1

The international English assessment systemsThe international English assessment systemsLEVELS IELTS Cambri-

dge BEC TOEFL

paperTOEFL electro

TOEIC

Advanced 8.0 CPE _ 670 290 990

Upperintermediate

7.0 CAE Higher 600 250 810

Intermediate 6.0 FCE Vantage 530 200 660

Lowerintermediate

5.0 PET Preliminary

470 150 520

Elementary 4.0 KET _ 400 100

The international English assessment systemsThe international English assessment systems• Abbreviations:IELTS : International English Language Testing System

BEC : Business English Certificate

TOEFL : Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEIC : Test of English for International Communication

Cambridge exams:

KET (Key English Test)PET (Preliminary English Test)FCE (First Certificate in English)CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

• Abbreviations:IELTS : International English Language Testing System

BEC : Business English Certificate

TOEFL : Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEIC : Test of English for International Communication

Cambridge exams:

KET (Key English Test)PET (Preliminary English Test)FCE (First Certificate in English)CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

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