Functional English – 1 HUM104

1. Functional English – 1HUM104 Lecture 2

2. Review of Lecture 1 • In Lecture 1: • We had an overview of the course and looked at its aims and objectives, its central points of concern, and its techniques and approaches. • We also discussed how languages are learnt in general and what best practices we should follow. • We looked at useful phrases and cultural points to make effective self and peer introductions.

3. Lecture 2 Expressing requests and enquiries & Practicing Practical Classroom English

4. Expressing requests and enquiries • Forming appropriate requests and enquiries • Responding to enquiries • Requests Vs commands

5. Practicing Practical Classroom English • Using different classroom language routines and functions for effective classroom management • Developing effective classroom language by following some examples • Demonstrating and practicing practical classroom language

6. Requests and enquiries • Look at the following sentences and write next to each sentence whether it is a request (R) or an Enquiry (E). • Would you open the window, please? • How long does it take to get to the bank? • Could you type this letter for me? • Can you swim? • Will you stop smoking, please? • Would you mind turning off the fans when you leave? • What would you like to eat? • May I speak to the manager?

7. Enquiry or Inquiry? • Enquiry means asking a question, whereas inquiry is a formal investigation. • The prefix ‘en’ comes from French, and ‘in’ from Latin. • Enquiry is a request for truth, knowledge or information, whereas an inquiry is an investigation into something. • Enquiry is preferred in British English, whereas the Americans are more comfortable with inquiry. • In spite of there being a clear distinction in the meanings of the two terms, people often use them interchangeably.

8. Making polite requests • Polite requests are often made by using general question forms of the modal verbs MAY, CAN, COULD, WILL, WOULD, etc. • Adding please to a request makes it more polite. • MAY is often used as “May I …?” • WILL and WOULD are used as “Will you …?”, “Would you …?” • CAN and COULD are used in both ways, for example, “CAN I ….?”, “Could you …?”, etc.

9. Responding to requests positively • The following phrases are commonly used to respond to a request positively: • FORMAL: I’d be glad to. / I’d be happy to. • LESS FORMAL: Yes, of course. / Of course. / Certainly • INFORMAL: Sure. / No problem.

10. Responding to requests positively Sample Sentences • Could you tell her that I called?  I’d be glad to. • Could I borrow your calculator for a minute?  Sure, here it is. • Would you please turn down the volume of the TV?  Certainly. Just a second! • May I speak to Mr. Majeed, please?  Sure, he’ll be here in a minute. • Would you mind if I go out for a while?  Not at all. I’ll take care of the things while you’re away.

11. Responding to requests negatively • The following phrases are commonly used to respond to a request negatively: • FORMAL: I’m afraid it’s not possible. / I’m very sorry, but… / I’d love to, but … / I wish I could (help), but … / I’d very much like to, but … • INFORMAL: Sorry. / Sorry, I can’t.

12. Responding to requests negatively Sample Sentences • Could you tell her that I called?  I’m afraid, I won’t be able to. I’m leaving in a minute. • Could I borrow your calculator for a minute?  I’m sorry, but I need it myself. • Would you turn down the volume, please?  Sorry, I can’t. It’s out of order. • May I speak to Mr. Majeed, please?  I’m afraid it’s not possible. He is not in. • Would you mind not smoking here?  Oh, I’m sorry!

13. How polite is it? • Come a bit early. • Please come a bit early. • Can you come a bit early, please? • Could you come a bit early? • Will you be able to come a bit early? • I wonder if you can come a bit early. • I’m wondering if you could come a bit early. • Do you mind coming a bit early? • Would you mind if I asked you to come a bit early?

14. Making polite requestsActivity • Change the following commands into polite requests. • Lend me 100 rupees • Sign here • Be quiet • Follow the instructions • Stop taking photographs here • Cooperate • Let me in • Leave now

15. Asking polite questions • Direct Questions are not very polite. • When does the next bus leave? • Indirect Questions are considered polite. • Do you know when the next bus leaves? • Use of Past tense can make a question polite. • How many items did you require, sir? • Use of continuous verb form may make a question sound more polite or less definitive. • I was wondering if you could help her. • Use of future tense can soften some questions? • Will you be able to work a bit longer today?

16. Making polite questionsActivity • Change the following prompts into polite questions. • How old are you? • Are you married? • Why are you here? • Can you reply before Sunday? • How long do you intend to stay?

17. Practical Classroom English • What is Practical Classroom English (PCE)? • Who is PCE for? • Why is PCE important? • How can we practice PCE? • How can we develop phrase-bank for PCE?

18. Classroom Situations • Classroom routines for • Beginning the class • Ending the class • Giving instructions for • Class activity • Homework • Asking questions for • Checking comprehension • Getting feedback • Giving feedback for • Encouraging a behaviour • Corrective measures

19. Useful Books on PCE • Practical Classroom English by OUP http://mikesclass.pbworks.com/f/Practical+Classroom+English+(OUP).pdf • Useful Classroom Expressions http://www.sehacesaber.org/sehacesaber-admin/userfiles/file/90743_BEST_2.pdf

20. Handouts • Classroom English • Courtesy: http://www.pearsonlongman.com/young_learners/pdfs/classroomlanguage.pdf

21. Lecture Summary • In Lecture 2, we learnt • To form appropriate requests and enquiries • To respond to enquiries • To differentiate between requests and commands • To change degree of politeness • To use practical classroom English (PCE) for effective classroom management