Speech Acts Speech acts are carried out over various turns and their exact shape takes into account interlocutor reactions. In other words, conversation is co-constructed by both interlocutors, which is something that can never be simulated with DCTs. Speech acts are certainly the most researched area of pragmatics, and they are arguably the most social,…
Pragmatics Pragmatics refers to the field of study where linguistic features are considered in relation to users of the language. Researchers have investigated what speakers accomplish when they perform utterances in terms of (1) interactional acts, and (2) speech acts. Interactional acts give structure to the discourse by ensuring that one utterance leads smoothly to…
Small Talk | A Listening Practice Course Small Talk | A Listening Practice Course Listen to this audio file. Questions about the Listening Track Do we need conversation starters for intrapersonal or interpersonal interactions? What is the most common conversation starter? What is the most effective conversation starter, and why? What questions increase the likelihood…
IELTS Speaking Practice on willpower and determination with challenging questions for discussion Questions on willpower and determination How much do you believe in the influence of willpower? How much has willpower helped you in your life? How can you increase your resolution in life? Do you think self-discipline is contagious? In other words, can you…
English conversation class and questions on loneliness and solitude for ESL students to have a discussion Round Table on Loneliness What is the difference between being alone and being lonely? Why do you think people these days are suffering from being lonely, although they are surrounded by many people? Is isolation always the worst scenario?…
Conversation 43: Fashion with questions for English students to have a discussion Relevant Idioms, Proverbs, Expressions, or Quotations on Fashion Go out of fashion: stop being fashionable Fashion industry Fashion sensitive brand loyalty: loyalty to special brands of goods Vogue: mode Questions on fashion and mode Is fashion the same as the exploitation of people…
English conversation class on internet addiction for ESL students to have a discussion Round Table on internet addiction What is internet addiction? How can we overcome internet addiction? What might happen if you do not try to deal with this addiction properly? Discuss the major causes of internet addiction. Do you think people in the…