Seminar "Communicative Games as a Means of Developing Speaking Skills"
учебно-методический материал по английскому языку (8 класс)

                                           SEMINAR

Topic: «Communicative Games as a Means of Developing Speaking Skills»
Teacher: Valentina lavorciuc
Date: 23.01.2025

This work is devoted to the Communicative Language teaching. The main objective of it is to bridge the gap between "learning for school" and
"learning for life"

No one will argue that teaching English in the modern school stepped over the traditional limits. It's not teaching English for English sake, but studying it as a source of communication, exchange of information.

Some of the benefits of the student's work at the conference would be
that it:
- enhances learners' independence;
- provides motivation;
- leads to tangible results;
- shapes student's personality;
- increases student's self-confidence.

The classroom, where the seminar took place, was generously decorated with a multitude of visuals forming useful. poster stations devoted to the Communicative Language teaching.
I am going to show you a variety of techniques and activities based on the communicative principle of teaching English .

I emphasize on using communicative games in teaching English.
Games help and encourage many learners to keep their interest and motivation. We must not think that communication can be separated from grammar, pronunciation and other parts of the language system itself.

So the two approaches support each other. This process should not be seen as a circle; it should be seen as a spiral of increasing ability.

So let's teach our students playing different communicative games in English.
The motto of my work is:

Tell me and I forget,

Teach me and I remember,
Involve me and I learn.
(Traditional)

In teaching English it is necessary to think over the motives which prompt students to speak. They should have a need to speak. So while teaching speaking real situation should be created.

The First Game " Class President"

The theme of this game is class elections. This activity can be used with students of all ages. It is a good idea to monitor questions and guide the discussion in such a way that students' feelings are not hurt during the process.

The Second game "Succeeding in Sales"

Now there is another game not of less interest that seems to me very attractive.
The theme of this game is product promotion. Students should describe products and persuade someone to buy something. Encourage students to bring in their own products or pictures to use in class. It can be a super mobile, barby, coca-cola and so on.
After all the other groups should say what they would like to buy and why.

The  Third Game "A Panel Discussion."

Now let's pass to some problems of our every day life with ups and downs of everybody.
So let's play a game "A panel discussion"!

1. On each three-by-five card, write a sentence stating a problem that some of your students might encounter.
For example:
You have failed your math exam.
You feel you have no friends.
Your parents dislike all your friends.

2. Divide the class into groups of six. One person in your group will be the person who presents the problem and answers the questions during the panel discussion that will follow.

3. The panel may be a doctor, a teacher, a parent, a friend and a guidance counselor.

4. Have one student from each group take a card and present the problem to the group. The panel members then take some time to think about the problem, to consider their opinions on the matter, and to formulate their advice.

5. Then have each group present its panel discussion. Here is a problem and some possible opening comments.
The problem: I feel a lot of peer pressure to try marijuana.
The doctor. You need to realize that it can harm your health.
The teacher. I believe that you are strong enough to resist the temptation to go along with a crowd.
The parent: I think you should find some new friends.
A friend: I'll be your friend no matter what you do.
A guidance counselor. Why do you care what others thinkyou should do?

6. Finally the student who presented the problem concludes the discusion by saying what he would do in light of the various points of view presented.

Try to give him your best advice! Don't forget that a problem person should say what he is going to do in light of the various points of view presented.

The Fourth Game Is for Imagination.

Its idea is simple. You should read or tell the students story with same problems and ask them to give good advice to solve these problems.
They should discuss the variants in groups and advice how to solve the problems.
And then you may let them read the proper ending of the story.

The Fifth game "Music and Imagination"

This game is very pleasant. You shouldn't have a special preparation for it; itsjust + music.
The students should listen to the music for a while (1 minute may be or less) and say what they could imagine listening to it. Very often their answers are unusual, funny and interesting. I should say that the students like this work, like to play different communicative games. Listen to what they say about it.

Student 1
I like the atmosphere whereby we could express our different opinions freely, and listen to the viewpoints of others students.
Student 2
We touched upon many problems that we are having at present.
Student 3
I tried to do better than other students.
Student 4
I cooperated with my classmates to solve different problems.
Student 5
I expressed my opinion whenever I had something to say.
Student 6
The class work was challenging - it made me think.

So l strongly recommend you to use different communicative games at your lessons to make them brighter.

Appendix

                                                       Class President

So, you want to be class president? How do you intend to convince the class you are the best candidate for the job? What promises will you make? What makes you so special? What needs to be improved? How do you plan to go about changing things? Use the vocabulary list below to get some ideas. Then read over the sample speech and use it to help you plan your own speech. Good luck!

Vocabulary

Sentence Structures

                                              Sample Speech

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Jennifer Wright and I'm the candidate you're looking for! I'm bright, energetic, and innovative. You want change. I want change. If you vote for me, you'll get change. I'm organized and persistent and I won't give up until the job's done! You can count on me. I have three main goals. I intend to get permission to redecorate our homeroom and to set up a new student lounge. I also plan to demand better cafeteria food.

How am I going to do this? I will delegate responsibilities to my council members. We'll persist until we succeed. Student Council has other items on the agenda this year which I intend to support: more computer equipment, new course options, and more varied extracurricular activities. We promise you there will be more than just sports at our school!

Emerson once said: "Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm!" You want great things? I'm enthusiastic. With me, great things will happen! Please vote for me!

                                                Succeeding in Sales

                                     Sales Strategy
Here are some guidelines for creating a strong sales presentation.
1. Describe what your product is.
2. Give the name of the product.
3. Explain what it can do. Tell what's special about it.
4. Describe how it looks and why it is so appealing.
5. Describe any safety features it has.
6. Tell why it's better than similar products on the market.
7. Tell how much it costs and why it is a good deal.

                                                  Vocabulary

Sentence Structures

Sample Sales Pitch

It's new! It's exciting! It's revolutionary! This Essay Whiz pocket computer is incredible.
Every student needs one. It fits into your pocket or purse. It's convenient and user-friendly!
Just type in the title of the essay you have to write and the ideas you wish to convey! Then specify your number of words and presto! Like magic, your homework is done in seconds!
Afterwards, you can modify your ideas and insert illustrations kept in a quick-reference dictionary. Every student will want one. The Fssay Whiz is made of durable materials anci is practically unbreakable! It's highly sophisticated, yet totally affordable! Only $99.99 on sale at a computer dealer near you! Don't go to school without it!