Sustained Speech Exercises

In the following games students speak on a variety of topics for a short time, so that there are regular breaks, giving the student im­mediate knowledge of mistakes and a chance for language practice.

A subject is drawn out of a "hat" and the names of two students out of another, the first to speak in defence of the subject (e.g., "Travel to the Moon") and the other against it, for one-and-a-half minutes; one minute's silent preparation helps them to assemble their ideas and after the main speakers and 2 or 3 others have spoken the mat­ter is out to the vote. Each "mini-debate" lasts about 6 minutes and before another "motion" is dealt with, there is an opportunity to cor­rect any mistakes and practise the correct form in its original con­text.

The games adapted from the radio can also provide an opportu­nity for sustained but controlled speech. The class can form the au­dience, questioners and panel for an "Any Questions" session with one member of the panel of 4 being changed after each question has been dealt with and after errors have been rectified as before.

In another panel game, "Just a Minute", members of the class are asked to speak for one minute on a subject given by the teacher. The rest of the class listen for 4 things: "urns" and "ahs" repetition, or other drawbacks помехи and errors. If anyone hears one of these things, he

<190>

interrupts the speaker, is awarded one point — or 2 for spotting a language error — and is asked to continue until he, in turn, is inter­rupted. The student speaking when 60 seconds of speaking time, excluding the interruption, has elapsed, is also awarded one point. "Who's Who?". A microphone and tape-recorder can create an interview atmosphere and also give the students a chance to hear their mistakes.