English dialogue: speaking, listening, pronunciation, performance (level 1-2)

What is the course about?

This course is about developing your fluency, pronunciation and expressing of meaning through performing different dialogues. You will have the chance to analyse and then act out conversations and experiment with different ways of saying them and focusing on how changes to stress, linking, pausing and intonation can alter the meaning of the language. Performing the texts physically will help you remember the language and make it part of you. By also writing your own scripts you will not only develop your writing but by relating the writing to speaking you will discover and realise new aspects of the language and so come to have a deeper understanding of its meaning and impact.

What will we cover?

• relating the meaning of your speech with how you say it
• how stress affects the meaning of what you say
• using the schwa effectively
• linking words and breaking speech into chunks
• how to read a dialogue for meaning
• relating speaking and performing e.g. using your body
• identifying how a situation affects what you say and how you say it
• writing script with appropriate expression
• choosing the right words.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• relate the meaning of your speech with how you say it
• identify how stress affects the meaning of what you say and change your stress accordingly
• use the schwa effectively
• link words and break speech into chunks so that the meaning of what you say becomes clearer
• read a dialogue for meaning – analyse how you want to say something and why
• relate your speaking with performing e.g. using your body
• identify how a situation affects what you say and how you say it
• write text which expresses how you think and feel
• choose the right words for the situation
• co-write and co-perform a short 5 minute play.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course level is for Level 1-2 students (B2-C1). Although you will be acting out dialogues and performing short plays you do not need any acting skills – just a willingness to express yourself and participate with others.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 reading and writing)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 reading and writing)
• Workplace communication skills: customer care and front of house hospitality (ESOL level 1-
• Develop your writing and language skills (level 1-level 2)
• A mile in my shoes: how to tell a story (level 1-2)
• ESOL pronunciation: stage 1 (level 1-2)
• Matters of opinion (level 2)
• Grammar in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
• Writing skills in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
ESOL and making podcasts: pronunciation, presentation, expression (level 1-2)

You can also do classes in the maths and digital skills areas. These include:
For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.