UNIT-01

Functional English.
Introduction: Functional English is usage of the English language required to perform a specific
function. This is typically taught as a foundation subject as a good command of English is often
required for academic study and career progression. In some cases, a particular form of technical
English may be required for a particular profession. Such specialized usage is known and taught
as English for Specific Purposes which is

Objectives:

 Providing learners with the skills and abilities.

 Communicate in ways that make learners effective to operate confidently.
 To develop strong conversation & role play skills.

The term “Functional” should be considered in the broad sense of providing learners with the
skills and abilities they need to take an active and responsible role in their communities,
everyday life, the workplace and educational settings. Functional English requires learners to
communicate in ways that make them effective and involved as citizens, to operate confidently
and to convey their ideas and opinions clearly.

Conversation: Conversation in plain context means the use of speech for informal exchange of
views or ideas or information, or the spoken exchange of thoughts, opinions and feelings. It
needs at least two persons to carry out a conversation because it is interactive and participants
take turns to exchange messages. Therefore, conversation is fundamentally a sequential activity.
Strong conversation skills benefit both the speaker and the listener in several ways.

General Tips:
When starting conversations, people will have a lot of problems which include not knowing what to say
or how to keep the conversation going, once it has been started.

As we know, conversations have spontaneous nature, people need to be spontaneous and eloquent;
people face number of problems, especially what to say and how to keep the conversation going, once it
has been started.

One must have encountered this problem while having conversation, here are some useful tips:

1. The search for a common ground

When you have to initiate conversation with strangers, try to structure them around

common ground subjects.

Some typical common ground subjects include

- Work

- Where you live

- Sports

- Music

- Travel

2. Keep the conversation going?

Ask open ended questions: why? How? What? Find the ‘hot button’ topics.

(that both of you are interested in)

Be attentive: Learn to listen actively.

Attitude: What can I learn from this person?

What is this person really saying?

Don’t be afraid to change the subject…

3.Self Disclosure
- Talk about yourself

- Tell stories

- Share experiences (provide details, use dialogues)

- Give opinions

- Express feelings

- React emotionally

- Show enthusiasm

Be in the moment

Create reciprocity: Give feedback, compliments and use names.

Refer to the situation: Surroundings, circumstances, people, etc.

Be light: Use wit and humour. Try gentle self-deprecation (tongue in cheek) or teasing.

3. Non-verbal Communication
Voice: Speak distinctly, slow down if necessary.

Body Language: Practice the ‘S-O-F-T-E-N’ approach

-Smile

-Open arms

- Forward lean

-Touch

-Eye Contact

-Nod

4. Conversation Tips(Business)
1. How did you come up with the idea?
2. Describe a typical day on the job?
3. How did you get started in this industry?
4. What got you interested in Marketing /IT?
5. What do you enjoy most about it?
6. Describe some of the challenges in your industry?
7. What are the trends in your business?
8. What is the best job you ever had?
9. Most difficult part of your job?

Instructions

Step 1
Stay up to date on what is happening in the world so that you have plenty of things to

talk about. Read the local paper and watch the news, so that you can knowledgeably participate

in discussions about current events.

Step 2
Prepare yourself before you meet important people or give a speech to a gathering.

Plan and rehearse what you are going to say, in front of the mirror.

Step 3
Ask a lot of questions. People like to talk about themselves and their lives. However,

make sure you keep the questions simple – don’t ask anything too personal or invasive.
Step 4
Listen to others. People can easily sense when you are not really interested in what

they are saying. (they have what they have to say). They don’t want to waste time talking to

someone who doesn’t listen. You must show sincere interest in others to evoke a sincere interest

in you.

Step 5
Take note of what is going on around you. Use your surroundings to come up with a

conversation later.

Step 6
Smile and look at others in the eye. Everyone enjoys being around positive,

confident people. The more confident you act, the more confident you will become. Relax and

stay calm.

Step 7
Keep practicing. Force yourself to strike up conversations with strangers in different

situations. The more you practice, the better you will become at starting conversations.

Practicing conversation skills

Kick starting conversations

When meeting someone for the first time, there is nothing worse than awkward silence after the

initial greeting.

Kick the silence into orbit with these conversation starters.

- How was your day?

- You look really nice.

- How was work?

- Have you seen any movies recently? Did you like it/them?

- What kind of music do you listen to?

- What interesting things did you do this weekend?

Starting and keeping conversations going
Here are some useful tips to start and keep conversations going:

o Be the first to say hello

o Introduce yourself to others.

o Remember people’s names.

o Show interest in others’ conversations.

o Restating their comments in another way.

o Let the natural person in you come out.

o Tell others something interesting about what you do.

Types of body language:

There are six types of body language one has to be aware of:

 Eye Contact
 Facial Expression
 Head Movements
 Gestures and Body Movements
 Postures and Stance
 Proximity and Social Distance
 Handshake

ROLE PLAY:

Role playing games, exercises and activities improve training, learning development, and liven up
conferences and workshops. Role playing games, exercises and activities can also enhance business
projects, giving specific business outputs and organizational benefits.

 Role Play is a fast way to improve speaking and listening for real life situations.
 Role Play uses scripts that you read with your partner, like actors in a movie.
 Role Play gives you information about your role. You can then talk with your
partner using this information.

Role Play to Practice English:

 Role Play helps you speak English in full sentences.

 Role Play makes you think about what you are saying, so you remember the
language.
 Role Play gives you many things to think and talk about.
Types of Role Play

1. Situation Role Plays: Situation Role Plays give you practice speaking English with
correct sentences and pronunciation. Examples: At the Markets, Clothes Shopping,

Airport Check-in, Job Interview etc.

2. Story Role Plays : In Story Role Plays, you and your partner are characters in a story.

3. Short Discussions : Short Discussions give you practice in asking and answering
questions about a topic. Examples – Introduction, Talk about Food, Talk about America,

NEWS! Global Warming

4. Long Discussions : Long Discussions give you practice in asking and answering
questions about a topic, as well as discussing the opinions of other people.

Examples: Environment, Movies.

ACTIVITYIES (WRITE RIGHT SIDE ONLY IN THE RECORD)

1. SELF INTRODUCTION
2. ROLE PLAY