When people ask you if you know a foreign language, the question they invariably ask you is if you speak it. “Do you speak English?” and “Parlez-vous français?” are the common questions.  Arguably, speaking is the most important and most useful skill when learning a foreign language. This module focuses on precisely that.

The main aim will be to increase your fluency.  This will be achieved by a wide range of activities, ranging from role-play and pair-work to presentations and group discussion.  The classes will be centred on certain themes, which can be decided at the beginning of the semester.

A second aim is to make your English more authentic.  Spoken English is distinct in many ways from written English – to some extent it has its own grammar and vocabulary, and this is something we will be looking at too.

There will also be some work on accent and phonetics.  We will be paying particular attention to the rhythm of the English language, and the way words and sentences are accentuated.  For example, did you know that you can give the simple sentence “Do you speak English?” four completely different meanings just by varying the stress pattern?

Finally, the other skills will not be neglected completely.  Good pronunciation is very much linked to having a “good ear” for the language, so there will be an important listening element to the class; written texts will be used to read from for pronunciation work and as the basis for discussion; and writing is an excellent way of assimilating lessons learned during the class.  The focus, though, will be on improving your oral communication skills.