SIMPLIFIED ORAL SKILLS NOTES

1. Meaning of oral skills Oral skills are the skills we use to communicate effectively through speaking and listening. They help us share information, express feelings, ask questions, and understand other people. The main oral skills are: - Listening - Speaking - Pronunciation - Stress - Intonation - Turn-taking - Non-verbal communication 2. Importance of oral skills 1. They improve communication. 2. They help learners express their ideas clearly. 3. They build confidence when speaking. 4. They improve listening and understanding. 5. They help prevent misunderstandings. 6. They prepare learners for interviews, debates, and public speaking. 3. Listening skills Listening is the ability to pay attention to spoken information and understand its meaning. Types of listening - Active listening: Paying full attention and responding appropriately. - Critical listening: Examining information to decide whether it is reliable. - Appreciative listening: Listening for enjoyment, such as listening to music or stories. - Empathetic listening: Listening to understand another person's feelings. - Selective listening: Listening for specific information. 4. Speaking skills Speaking is the ability to express ideas, feelings, and information using spoken language. Characteristics of good speaking - Clear pronunciation - Correct grammar - Appropriate vocabulary - Confidence - Fluency - Proper use of gestures - Suitable tone of voice Ways of improving speaking skills 1. Practise speaking English regularly. 2. Participate in debates and discussions. 3. Read aloud. 4. Learn new vocabulary. 5. Listen to good speakers. 6. Practise public speaking. 5. Pronunciation Pronunciation is the way words are spoken. Good pronunciation helps listeners understand a speaker easily. Factors affecting pronunciation - Mother tongue influence - Lack of practice - Incorrect learning of sounds - Differences between spelling and pronunciation - Nervousness Ways of improving pronunciation - Listen to correct models of speech. - Practise difficult words. - Use a dictionary to check pronunciation. - Read aloud regularly. - Practise distinguishing similar sounds. 6. Stress Stress is the emphasis placed on a particular syllable in a word or a particular word in a sentence. A. Word stress One syllable is pronounced more strongly than the others. Examples: - TA-ble - DOC-tor - be-GIN - edu-CA-tion Capital letters show the stressed syllable. B. Sentence stress Important words in a sentence receive greater emphasis. Example: “I wanted the BLUE book.” The stress on blue shows that the colour is important. Importance of stress 1. It helps communicate meaning. 2. It makes speech clearer. 3. It can distinguish words. 4. It helps listeners identify important information. 7. Intonation Intonation is the rise and fall of the voice when speaking. Rising Rising intonation The voice rises towards the end of an utterance. Example: “Are you ready?” Often used in yes-or-no questions. Falling Falling intonation The voice falls towards the end of an utterance. Example: “Where are you going?” Often used in statements and WH-questions. Importance of intonation - Shows emotions and attitudes. - Helps distinguish questions from statements. - Makes speech natural. - Prevents misunderstanding. 8. Non-verbal communication Non-verbal communication is passing information without using words. Types include: - Facial expressions: Smiling or frowning. - Gestures: Moving hands to communicate. - Eye contact: Looking at the person you are speaking to. - Posture: The way someone stands or sits. - Proximity: The distance maintained between people. - Body movement: Movements that communicate feelings or ideas. Importance: It supports spoken words, expresses emotions, and helps listeners understand a speaker's message. 9. Turn-taking Turn-taking is the process of allowing people to speak one at a time during a conversation. Rules of turn-taking 1. Listen when another person is speaking. 2. Avoid interrupting unnecessarily. 3. Wait for an appropriate moment to speak. 4. Use polite expressions to join a discussion. 5. Give others an opportunity to contribute. Examples of polite expressions: - “May I add something?” - “I agree with your point.” - “May I ask a question?” - “Please allow me to finish.” 10. Other important oral skills - Fluency: Speaking smoothly without too many unnecessary pauses. - Clarity: Expressing ideas so that others can understand them. - Voice projection: Speaking loudly enough for the audience to hear. - Voice quality: The character or quality of a person's voice. - Pitch: How high or low a voice sounds. - Pause: A short break during speech. - Articulation: Producing speech sounds clearly. - Courtesy: Using respectful language when communicating. 11. Common barriers to effective oral communication 1. Noise and distractions. 2. Fear or nervousness. 3. Poor pronunciation. 4. Language differences. 5. Lack of confidence. 6. Interruptions. 7. Use of unfamiliar vocabulary. 8. Poor listening habits. 12. How to improve oral skills - Practise speaking every day. - Listen carefully before responding. - Read aloud and learn new words. - Join debates and group discussions. - Record your speech and listen to it. - Ask for feedback from teachers or classmates. - Use gestures appropriately. - Speak confidently and respectfully. Revision questions Try answering these questions to test your understanding. 1. What are oral skills? Show answer 2. Differentiate between stress and intonation. Show answer 3. Give four types of non-verbal communication. Show answer 4. What is turn-taking? Show answer 5. State four barriers to effective oral communication. Show answer Study tip: Understand the definitions, learn examples, and practise explaining each oral skill in your own words. This makes revision easier and helps you prepare for examinations.