Instructions

 

Have students read the words in the bubbles and ask them what kind of words these are and what their purpose in speech is (these are discourse markers that serve to signal what the information is about or how important it is).

Suggested time: 1 minute

 

 

This is a warm-up to help students reflect on their own communication styles. Start by reviewing the content of the previous task. Then, have students read the example and get them to briefly share a few stories of their own.

Suggested time: 5 minutes

 

Go over the topics. It is important to mention here that even among people from the same cultural background communication styles (high or low) may differ. Have students notice the discourse markers and invite them to think about discourse markers in other languages. Invite them to write them in their language of origin on the board.

Suggested time: 5 minutes

 

Ask students to look at the discourse markers on the left and match them with the corresponding definition on the right. As they do so, encourage them to think of other languages they know and if there are equivalent discourse markers in other languages.

Suggested time: 5 minutes

 

Show the key and ask students if there are equivalent words for the discourse markers in their languages. Invite them to write discourse markers in other languages on the board and "teach" others how to say them. It is possible that certain languages do not have equivalent discourse markers.

Suggested time: 5 minutes

 

Bring students awareness about the importance of knowing the two types of communication styles (low and high) when communicating with others in English (and in other languages).

Tell them that they will watch a video with tips for pluricultural communication and complete the steps indicated.

Suggested time: 2 minutes

 

 

Play the video twice. First, they identity the 4 tips for pluricultural communication. Second, they indentify the discourse markers used (e.g., first, second, third, finally, so).

Suggested timing: 15 minutes

 

 

 

Have students work in groups and talk about one of the tips for pluricultural communication. Ask them to choose at least 2 (or more) discourse markers they have learned. Have them choose one of the tips from the video and think about a personal experience they have had.

Suggested time: 10 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

Ask the 2 questions to the whole class and have them share a few thoughts.

Suggested time: 5 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the end of task 7. For a copy of this task, download the PDF document below.