Page 96 - English_F5

English

John: Active listening and asking questions are valuable techniques. Do you have
any tips for language learners who want to improve their ability to engage
in spontaneous conversations with speakers of different dialects?
Masoud: One tip would be to expose yourself to various English dialects through
movies, TV shows, podcasts, and conversations with native speakers.
Practise imitating the sounds and rhythms of different dialects
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
to improve your understanding and adaptability.
John: That’s a great tip. Exposure and practice are key. Thanks, Masoud, for
sharing insights into spontaneous and non-spontaneous conversations
with speakers of different English dialects. It’s been an enlightening
conversation!

Masoud: You’re welcome, John! It was a pleasure discussing this topic with you.

DID YOU ?
KNOW

The conversation above tells about a typical examples of the types of things to expect
in spontaneous and non-spontaneous conversations with people who speak different
accents and dialects of English. The initial challenges of understanding unfamiliar
accents or dialects were acknowledged, but it was emphasised that comprehension
and adaptability are gradually enhanced by exposure and time. Masoud highlighted
the importance of preparation in non-spontaneous conversations, including
researching the specific dialect for improved communication. The notion of
modifying one’s own dialect when necessary was touched upon, with the balance
between adaptation and preserving authenticity being emphasised, as well as the
significance of open communication and clarification in enhancing inteligibility.
Valuable tips were offered to language learners, encouraging exposure to various
dialects and practising imitation to enhance understanding and adaptability.
Overall, the value of embracing dialect diversity as a means to broaden cultural
understanding and enhance English communication skills was underscored in the
conversation. Nevertheless, it should be born in mind that, like those of other
languages, accents or dialects of English differ systematically; there are no random
differences. If you know your own accents well, it becomes easy to predict how
another accents or dialects will differ from it. Think of how we pronounce ‘God’
our accent and how an American will pronounce that word. It will be easy to
predict what the American speaker will say for HOTPOT, BOTtle, etc.

(b) Role-play a spontaneous conversation using Standard British English and
contrasting that with dialects by incorporating relevant traditional pronunciations
from other parts of the world.

Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) 87 Form Five

24/06/2024 22:26
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