1. SPEAKING IN MFL By Jonathan Robinson, MCIL Jonathan_peter2002@yahoo.co.uk

2. Agenda 09.50Welcome and Introduction 10.00Speaking as a skill 11.00Speaking MFL at KS3 12.15Buffet lunch 13.15Speaking MFL at KS4 14:15Speaking MFL at KS5 15.30Plenary and finish at 15.45

3. Session 1: Speaking as a Skill Language Acquisition (L1) 4 monthscooing / chuckling 6-9 monthsbabbling, duplication of sounds 12-18 monthsunderstands ‘no’, basic ‘words’ 18-21 months200 words, points, understands simple questions, 2-word phrases 24-27 months300-400 words, 3-word phrases, prepositions and pronouns 30-33 monthsfast increase in vocabulary, short sentences, approximate word order and structure, some grammar 36-39 monthsover 1000 words, sentences and complex grammar (rules not yet mastered), c. 90 % comprehensibility [Lenneberg, 1966]

4. Acquiring first language Motherese Immersion: context Brain and cognitive development Phonology Listening – Speaking – Reading and Writing Gradual development of grammar and understanding and application of rules Acquisition of vocabulary: over- and under-extension – visual stimuli play an pivotal role Sociolinguistic and pragmatic development

5. FL1 Acquisition or ‘Learning’ Older child or teenager with fluent command of native language ‘Critical age’ for pronunciation Acquisition of FL1 often means learning all aspects simultaneously: phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon and rules of discourse ACTIVE and EXPLICIT learning as opposed to SUBCONSCIOUS acquisition of speaking mother tongue in the early stages Linguistic background helps and hinders acquisition of FL1 Unnatural environment, rarely ‘immersed’ in FL

6. FL2 and Beyond As for FL1 with the added advantage (or disadvantage) of having acquired FL1: Positives: metalanguage foundation is in place, concepts and process of acquisition are familiar, similar languages will share some features – particularly in vocabulary, semantics and some areas of grammar and / or syntax. Negatives: interference from FL1, insecure foundations in FL1 could be detrimental to acquisition of FL2, attitudes and feelings re FL1 could impact on approach to learning FL2, differences in pronunciation, orthography, grammar, syntax and vocabulary could lead to frustration

7. So, How Can Speaking FL1 Be Taught Effectively? Teaching to speak a modern language ENVIRONMENT MOTIVATION OPPORTUNITIES INTEGRATED SKILLS MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES LEARNER STRATEGIES RELEVANCY OF CONTENT AWARENESS OF FL ACQUISITION

8. Major Elements of Speaking Phonology: sounds, syllables, word stress, pronunciation, consonant/vowel clusters, intonation, sounds-orthography, accent, pitch, tone, speed, fluency Semantics: connotations, collocations, nuances, proverbial sayings, idiom, cognates, false friends (in terms of sounds and spellings) Syntax: word order, colloquialisms, spoken features of grammar and structures Sociolinguistics / Pragmatics: styles, registers, fillers, modal particles, ‘speech acts’ (locutionary, illocutionary, perlocutionary) – John Austin Culture: local norms and customs, body language and other non-verbal elements, situational constructs of conversation …

9. Not Forgetting … SPEAKING READING LISTENINGWRITING NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION SPEAKING AS A VEHICLE FOR GRAMMAR AND CULTURE

10. UNCONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE Benziger’s Theory Applied to Learning to Speak a Modern Language IgnoranceAwareness Practice Automaticity Independence and autonomy Motivation, strategies and stamina Enthusiasm and commitment Hook, Line and Sinker

12. Session 2: Speaking MFL at KS3

13. Lunch 12.15 – 13.15

14. Welcome Back! Word spinCatch Phrase ‘Ein Zootier mit …’Plastic zoo animals Top trumps / Happy familiesTime bomb games Family FortunesEarly Learning Centre stuff ClocksFood plates Play mats / maps and toy carsUrban myth The clawChildren’s picture books TabooMasks / costumes / make-up Know your partnerGuess who? SkeletonsWould you rather? Snakes and LaddersWhat’s my word? Great trivia challengeMoulding / designing / drawing Trivial PursuitPictures and posters

15. Session 3: Speaking MFL at KS4

16. Session 4: Speaking MFL at KS5

17. Plenary Modelling spoken TL Scaffolding spoken TL Encouraging spoken TL Challenging spoken TL M.S.E.C.

18. Thank you for coming! Please hand in your evaluation.