ESL Listening & Speaking Skills Development Flashcards

Which suprasegmental feature of English affects the meaning of 'I didn't say HE stole it' vs. 'I didn't SAY he stole it'?

Answer: Sentence stress and emphasis

Contrastive sentence stress shifts the focus and meaning of a sentence by emphasizing different words.

What is a 'discussion web' used for in ESL speaking instruction?

Answer: A graphic organizer that helps students prepare balanced arguments for a structured discussion

A discussion web organizes yes/no evidence and prompts learners to articulate and defend positions in academic discussions.

What is 'interactional competence' in ESL speaking?

Answer: The ability to manage conversations, take turns, and co-construct meaning with others

Interactional competence involves the collaborative skills needed to participate in real conversations—turn-taking, repair, and negotiation of meaning.

Why is 'reduced speech' (e.g., 'gonna,' 'wanna,' 'didja') important to teach in ESL listening classes?

Answer: It reflects how native speakers naturally produce speech at normal speed, essential for authentic listening comprehension

Connected speech features like reduction and linking are characteristic of natural spoken English and must be taught for real-world listening.

What is the purpose of 'role play' activities in an ESL speaking class?

Answer: To simulate real-world communicative situations and practice context-appropriate language use

Role play creates a safe space to practice language in simulated real-life scenarios such as job interviews or doctor appointments.

Which strategy helps ESL learners when they do not know a specific word during speaking?

Answer: Using circumlocution to describe the concept with other known words

Circumlocution—describing a word using other expressions—is a key communication strategy that keeps conversation flowing despite vocabulary gaps.