(Luận văn thạc sĩ) teaching the speaking skill in enterprise i to students at thaibinh economic and technical college challenges and recommendations

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VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
POST – GRADUATE DEPARTMENT

HOÀNG THỊ HẰNG

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"Teaching the speaking skill in Enterprise I to
students at Thaibinh Economic and Technical College:
challenges and recommendations"
(Dạy kỹ năng nói theo giáo trình Enterprise I cho sinh viên trường Cao đẳng
Kinh tế - Kỹ thuật Thái Bình: khó khăn và giải pháp)

MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS

ENGLISH METHODOLOGY

CODE: 60 14 10

HANOI - 2009

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VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
POST – GRADUATE DEPARTMENT

HOÀNG THỊ HẰNG

"Teaching the speaking skill in Enterprise I to
students at Thaibinh Economic and Technical
College: challenges and recommendations"
(Dạy kỹ năng nói theo giáo trình Enterprise I cho sinh viên trường Cao

đẳng Kinh tế - Kỹ thuật Thái Bình: khó khăn và giải pháp)

MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS

ENGLISH METHODOLOGY
CODE: 60 14 10

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Dư ơng Thị Nụ

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HANOI - 2009

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VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
POST – GRADUATE DEPARTMENT

HOÀNG THỊ HẰNG

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"Teaching the speaking skill in Enterprise I to
students at Thaibinh Economic and Technical College:
challenges and recommendations"
(Dạy kỹ năng nói theo giáo trình Enterprise I cho sinh viên trường Cao đẳng
Kinh tế - Kỹ thuật Thái Bình: khó khăn và giải pháp)

MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS

ENGLISH METHODOLOGY
CODE: 60 14 10

HANOI - 2009

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VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
POST – GRADUATE DEPARTMENT

HOÀNG THỊ HẰNG

"Teaching the speaking skill in Enterprise I to
students at Thaibinh Economic and Technical
College: challenges and recommendations"
(Dạy kỹ năng nói theo giáo trình Enterprise I cho sinh viên trường Cao
đẳng Kinh tế - Kỹ thuật Thái Bình: khó khăn và giải pháp)

MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS

ENGLISH METHODOLOGY
CODE: 60 14 10

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Dư ơng Thị Nụ

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HANOI - 2009

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................................... III

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.............................................................................................................................IV
ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................................... V
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................................... 65
1.1. DEFINITION OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE, SPEAKING AND CONVERSATION ................................................... 65
1.2. THE NATURE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS, SPEAKING SKILL AND CONVERSATION ........................................ 76
1.2.1. The nature of Language Skills .................................................................................................... 76
1.2.2. The nature of Speaking Skill ....................................................................................................... 87
1.2.3. Conversation ............................................................................................................................... 98
1.2.4. Conversation openings ............................................................................................................... 98
CHAPTER 2: CONVERSATION–OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING ................................ 1312
2.1. AN OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................. 1312
2.2. CONVERSATION-OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING....................................................................... 1614
2.2.1. Questionnaires for Teachers ................................................................................................... 1715
2.2.2. Questionnaires for Students .................................................................................................... 2320
CHAPTER 3: CHALLENGES ................................................................................................................ 2825
3.1. CHALLENGES FROM THE COURSE-BOOK ........................................................................................... 2825
3.2. LITTLE EXPERIENCED TEACHERS ...................................................................................................... 2926
3.3. INAPPROPRIATE TEACHING METHOD ................................................................................................ 2926
3.4. PASSIVE LEARNING STUDENTS ......................................................................................................... 3127
CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................. 3229
4.1. IDENTIFYING THE OBJECTIVE CLEARLY ............................................................................................ 3431
4.2. CONFERENCING ON TEACHING METHODS ......................................................................................... 3632
4.3. BUILDING SAMPLE LESSON PLANS .................................................................................................... 3733
4.4. CHANGING STUDENTS' PASSIVE LEARNING HABIT. ........................................................................... 3935
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................................... 4440

REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................... 4742
APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONAIRE FOR TEACHERS ...................................................................................I
APPENDIX 2: QUESTIONAIRE FOR STUDENTS ................................................................................ III

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................ I

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INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................... 5
1.1. DEFINITION OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE, SPEAKING AND CONVERSATION ................................... 5
1.2. THE NATURE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS, SPEAKING SKILL AND CONVERSATION ........................ 6
1.2.1. The nature of Language Skills ....................................................................................... 6
1.2.2. The nature of Speaking Skill .......................................................................................... 7

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1.2.3. Conversation .................................................................................................................. 8

1.2.4. Conversation openings................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 2: CONVERSATION–OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING .................... 12
2.1. AN OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................... 12
2.2. CONVERSATION-OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING ......................................................... 14
2.2.1. Questionnaires for Teachers ........................................................................................ 15
2.2.2. Questionnaires for Students ......................................................................................... 20
CHAPTER 3: CHALLENGES .................................................................................................... 25
3.1. CHALLENGES FROM THE COURSE-BOOK .............................................................................. 25
3.2. LITTLE EXPERIENCED TEACHERS ......................................................................................... 26
3.3. INAPPROPRIATE TEACHING METHOD .................................................................................... 26
3.4. PASSIVE LEARNING STUDENTS ............................................................................................. 27
CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................... 29
4.1. IDENTIFYING THE OBJECTIVE CLEARLY ............................................................................... 31
4.2. CONFERENCING ON TEACHING METHODS ............................................................................ 32
4.3. BUILDING SAMPLE LESSON PLANS ....................................................................................... 33
4.4. CHANGING STUDENTS' PASSIVE LEARNING HABIT. .............................................................. 35
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................... 40
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 42
APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONAIRE FOR TEACHERS ................................................................... I
APPENDIX 2: QUESTIONAIRE FOR STUDENTS ................................................................. III
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................ I
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................... 4
1.1. DEFINITION OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE, SPEAKING AND CONVERSATION ................................... 4
1.2. THE NATURE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS, SPEAKING SKILL AND CONVERSATION ........................ 4
1.2.1. The nature of Language Skills ....................................................................................... 4
1.2.2. The nature of Speaking skill ........................................................................................... 5
1.2.3. Conversation .................................................................................................................. 6
1.2.4. Conversation openings................................................................................................... 7

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CHAPTER 2: CONVERSATION–OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING .................... 10
2.1. AN OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................... 10
2.2. CONVERSATION-OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING ......................................................... 12
2.2.1. Questionnaires for Teachers ........................................................................................ 12
2.2.2. Questionnaires for Students ......................................................................................... 16
CHAPTER 3: CHALLENGES .................................................................................................... 20
3.1. CHALLENGES FROM THE COURSE-BOOK .............................................................................. 20
3.2. LITTLE EXPERIENCED TEACHERS ......................................................................................... 21
3.3. INAPPROPRIATE TEACHING METHOD .................................................................................... 21
3.4. PASSIVE LEARNING STUDENTS ............................................................................................. 22
CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................... 23
4.1. IDENTIFYING THE OBJECTIVE CLEARLY ............................................................................... 24
4.2. CONFERENCING ON TEACHING METHODS ............................................................................ 25
4.3. BUILDING COMMON LESSON PLANS ..................................................................................... 26
4.4. CHANGING STUDENTS' PASSIVE LEARNING HABIT. .............................................................. 28
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................... 32

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 34
APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONAIRE FOR TEACHERS ................................................................... I
APPENDIX 2: QUESTIONAIRE FOR STUDENTS ................................................................. III
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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1: THE TEACHING EXPERIENCE .............................................................................. 1715

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TABLE 2: THE TEACHING OF CONVERSATION-OPENINGS................................................... 1816

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TABLE 3: ASSESSMENT ON STUDENTS’ LEARNING............................................................. 2119

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TABLE 4: ASSESSMENT ON THE COURSE-BOOK2219

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TABLE 5: STUDENTS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING THE SPEAKING SKILL...................... 2321

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TABLE 6: THE LEARNING OF CONVERSATION-OPENINGS................................................... 2421

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TABLE 7: LEARNING CONSCIOUSNESS ............................................................................... 2623

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TABLE 9: FEASIBILITY OF RECOMMENDATIONS (QUESTIONNAIRES FOR TEACHERS) ......... 3330

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TABLE 1: THE TEACHING EXPERIENCE .................................................................................. 13

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TABLE 2: THE TEACHING OF CONVERSATION-OPENINGS....................................................... 13
TABLE 3: ASSESSMENT ON STUDENTS’ LEARNING................................................................. 15
TABLE 4: ASSESSMENT ON THE COURSE-BOOK ..................................................................... 16
TABLE 5: STUDENTS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING THE SPEAKING SKILL.......................... 17
TABLE 6: THE LEARNING OF CONVERSATION-OPENINGS....................................................... 17
TABLE 7: LEARNING CONSCIOUSNESS ................................................................................... 18
TABLE 9: FEASIBILITY OF RECOMMENDATIONS (QUESTIONNAIRES FOR TEACHERS) ............. 23

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INTRODUCTION

1. Rationale of the study
Nowadays English is referred to as the "lingua franca" of the modern era. It is so widely

spoken by both native and non-native speakers all over the world. It is an important tool

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for operating on the world stage. English is also the language of globalization of
international business, the language of computers and the Internet, the dominant
international language in science, aviation, entertainment, radio and diplomacy....”
According to Crystal (2004:4), English is “the world‟s first truly global language”.
The Economist says, English is the language of globalization of international business, it is
the language of computers and the Internet, the dominant international language in science,
aviation, entertainment, radio and diplomacy....” According to Crystal (2004:4), English is
“the world‟s first truly global language”.
Nowadays English is referred to as the "lingua franca" of the modern era. English is so
widely spoken: it is the language of international communication by native and non-native
speakers all over the world; it is an important tool for operating on the world stage, the
working language of the Asian Trade group ASEAN and the official language of the
European Bank. The Economist says, English is the language of globalization of
international business, it is the language of computers and the Internet, the dominant
international language in science, aviation, entertainment, radio and diplomacy....”
According to Crystal (2004:4), English is “the world‟s first truly global language”.
It is undeniable that in a globalization world, in a globalization world, English has become
a tool that helps to achieve success in career and life; of which, English speaking skill is of
the most important skills. General Director of the Educational Testing Service Dr. Zoubir
Yazid said if learners were hesitant to communicate in English, they would gradually
forget almost all of what they had learned. Young people learn to speak English to prove a
competitive advantage in global companies and organizations. In many fields, the ability to
speak English is mandatory.
However, for a long time, English is mainly performed with the grammar translation
method at most non-English major education institutes with a big focus on the form of the

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language which are mainly grammatical and vocabulary items. Testing and evaluation of
English was still based on reading and grammar exercises; the use of English for
communication was ignored. Consequently, learners became structure competent, but
communicative incompetent., and they found it challenging to make communications in
English.

At Thaibinh Economic and Technical College (TETC), also with a traditional teaching
method which is Grammar Translation, teachers concentrated too much on vocabulary and
grammar, much more than the time they spent on practicing speaking skill. As a result,
TETC students were passive recipients only, and they always found it challenging to make
communications in English.and they were always shy and not confident to speak English.

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The above reality requires the English teaching as a foreign language at TETC to make

changes. For over two years, the English speaking skill has been taught to TETC students
with a big concern. However, despite much effort, the effectiveness of speaking lessons is
still not high.
As an EFL teacher, I have been highly aware of how to have effective speaking lessons.
Exploring appropriate solutions to teaching the English speaking skill is always of my big
concern. This drives me to the study namely "Teaching the speaking skill in Enterprise I to
students at Thaibinh Economic and Technical College: challenges and recommendations".

2. Scope of the study
The thesis is a case study about the teaching of the English speaking skill to TETC first-

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year students via the course book “Enterprise I”.
As it is required by the College, the main focus of “Enterprise I” is to teach conversation.
However, in an effort of a minor thesis, I centre my paper only on the language of
Conversation-openings. Therefore, finding current challenges and making appropriate
recommendations for how to teach conversation-openings effectively to the first year
students of TETC are the limitations of the thesis.
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3. Aims of the study

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Within the framework of an M.A thesis, the study aims to make suitable recommendations
for teaching Conversation-openings to the first-year students of Thaibinh Economic and
Technical College via the course book Enterprise I.
In order to achieve this aim, some objectives are made as follows:
o Investigating the teaching and learning of Conversation-openings at Thaibinh
Economic and Technical College.
o Identifying challenges that TETC teachers encounter in teaching conversation
openings
o Based on training objectives and real situation, making some appropriate
recommendations for teaching conversation-openings.

4. Subjects of the study
The target subjects of the study are teachers who teach Enterprise I and first year NonEnglish major students who will study Enterprise I at Thaibinh Economic and Technical
College. The accessible subjects are TETC teachers and students who have just finished
teaching and learning Enterprise I and currently on course. Eight teachers and over one
hundred students agreed to participate in the research.

5. Research questions
Some questions have been raised as follows:
o How effective are conversation-openings taught to TETC students?

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o What are TETC teachers‟ challenges in teaching conversation-openings?
o What are appropriate solutions to teaching Conversation-openings to TETC
students?

6. Methods of the study
In order to exploit the strengths of various methods, a combination of a number of methods
has been used. Classroom observations and necessary descriptions have been made during

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my teaching of the speaking skill via Enterprise I at TETC. Some suppositions about the
reality of conversation-opening teaching and learning are withdrawn. Then questionnaires
are sent to both teachers and students to survey this reality as well as to find out its causes.
Finally, Tthe data is analyzed and interpreted via both quantitative and qualitative methods.

7. Data collection
Questionnaires including 118 ones for students and 8 for teachers are sent to teachers and

students. Within 5 days, responses are collected. Then statistics are analyzed and
interpreted.

8. Design of the study
This minor thesis is organized into three parts:

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Part one is INTRODUCTION of the study. It covers the rationale, the scope, the aims, the
subjects, research questions, methods, data collection and design of the study.
Part two is DEVELOPMENT of the study. It contains four chapters as follows,
o Chapter one - Literature review deals with some theories relevant to the study

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which are closely related definitions, nature of language skills and speaking skill,
conversation, and conversation openings.
o Chapter two - The reality of conversation-opening teaching and learning at
Thaibinh Economic and Technical College provides an overview of the research
site with infrastructure, teachers, students, and chosen course-book. This part also
surveys the teaching and learning of English speaking skill at TETC (how do
teachers teach and how do students learn?).
o Chapter three shows challenges that teachers encounter during their process of

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teaching conversation openings, withdrawn from the results of questionnaires.
o Chapter four is some recommendations for how to teach Conversation-openings

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effectively to first year Non-English major students of Thaibinh Economic and
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Technical College.

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Part three,; entitled CONCLUSION, states summarizes some key points, some
recapitulation, and some conclusions of the study; limitations of the study and suggested
direction for further research.

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CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter presents some related theories that underlie the analysis of this study. For
providing the necessary background information, I will first present related definitions,
then move on to the theories of nature of language skills, next to speaking-skill related
theories, and finally to conversational theories. The writer also uses these theories to
collect and analyze the data, and to interpret the findings.

1.1. Definition of spoken language, speaking and conversation
In Brown and Yule‟s opinions (1983), spoken language consists of short and fragmentary

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utterances in a range of pronunciation. There is often a great deal of repetition and overlap
between one speaker and another, and speakers usually use non-specific references.
Spoken language is made to feel less conceptually dense than other types of language such
as prose by using the loosely organized syntax, and non-specific words and phrases and
files such as „well‟, „oh‟, „uhuh‟.
Speaking is a skill that speaker uses spoken language to carry out many of their most basic
transactions. Speaking is known with two main types of conversation namely dialogue and
monologue; of which monologue is the ability to give uninterrupted oral presentation, and

it is different from dialogue which requires interaction with one or more other speakers for
transactional and interactional purposes (as it is pointed out by Brown and Yule).
A conversation is communication by two or more people, or by one's self. Conversations

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are the ideal forms of communication in some respects, since they allow people with
different views on a topic to learn from each other. It is different from a speech which is an

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oral presentation by one person directed at a group (From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia)
According to Levinson (1983), conversation is the use of language which includes both
linguistic and social factors. It is not only words that are woven together, but also human
acts and lives.

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1.2. The nature of language skills, Speaking skill and Conversation
1.2.1. The nature of Language Skills
It is known that language communication involves some language skills. On the teaching
point of view, language skills consist of four inter-related macro-skills; namely, listening,
speaking, reading and writing. Among the four macro-skills, listening and reading are
considered to be receptive skills, and speaking and writing are productive skills (Byrne,
1991:8).
According to the manners by which they are formed, speaking and listening skills which
relate to articulatory organs are called oral skills; the ones in connection with manual script
including reading and writing are named literacy skills.
The whole picture of four language macro-skills is illustrated in the following figure
Oral skills
Listening

Speaking

Reading

Writing

Receptive skills

Productive skills
Literacy skills

These four skills have supportive relationship. The learner can be much more confident in
speaking English with clear understanding and governing both oral skills. However, the
oral skills are dependent on knowledge of language they learn such as grammar,

pronunciation, and vocabulary. In addition, learners rely on common conventional
expression for communicating specific meanings, particularly on the language
environment. That is the reason why learners of English are required to have an adequate
mastery of the four skills. Nevertheless, the degree of fluency of each skill, which a learner
requires, depends on their course purposes he/she takes.
To sum up, all four skills are important for learners. Whenever they manage those skills
they can have confidence in speaking and using a foreign language. But it is emphasized at
the beginning level that speaking skill will never be separated with other skills (listening,
reading, and writing). All of them are integrated and supportive to each other.

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1.2.2. The nature of Speaking Sskill
Of the four skills, speaking plays an utmost important role since it is the step to identify
who knows or does not know a language. Pattison (1992) confirms that when people speak
of knowing or learning a language, they mean being able to speak the language.
Speaking skill is one of two oral skills, namely speaking and listening. It has a
complementary relationship with listening skill. From a communicative, pragmatic view of

the language classroom, listening and speaking skills are closely intertwined.
As Byrne (1991:9) puts it, “speaking always necessitates at least two participants:
speaker(s) and listener(s). When the speaker starts the message, the listener encodes, and
responds to the message in turns.
As for Bygate (1987:12), in most speaking the person to whom we are speaking is in front
of us and able to put us right if we make mistakes. He or she can also generally show
agreement and understanding – or incomprehension and disagreement. Unlike readers or
writers, speakers may need patience and imagination, too. While talking, speakers need to
take notice of the other and allows listeners chance to speak it. It means that we take turns
to speak. Brown (1983) and her colleagues point out that a listener helps speakers improve
their performance because being a listener gives speakers models to utilize when acting as
a speaker. In addition, being a hearer first helps the listener appreciate the difficulties
inherent in the task. It is clear that giving speaker experience in hearer‟s role is more
helpful than simple practice in tasks in which a speaker is having real difficulties in
appreciating what a particular task required.
“Therefore, nature of oral communication is comprehended as a two-way process between
the speaker and the listener. Oral communication is effective only when the learners are
supplied with oral skills” (Byrne, 1991:9) . Hence, that is the reason why teaching
speaking skill is always associated with teaching the listening skill. The interaction
between these two modes of performance applied especially strongly to conversation, the
most popular discourse category in the profession.

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1.2.3. Conversation
In general, conversation is a form of oral discourse that is distinguished by the absence of
explicit rules. Conversation has been studied for some time by researchers interested in
language behavior, language acquisition, and social interaction and some of its main
features have been identified. Conversations are the least formal of other types of oral
discourse, that is, debates, ceremonies, and meetings. The number of participants, the
topic, the length of a given speaker‟s contribution, and many other factors are left
undecided or decided on the spot. Levinson also says that conversation generally occurs
outside specific institutional setting, such as, religious service, law courts, classroom and
the likes.
In term of organization, Bygate (1987) suggests that conversations can be analyzed in
terms of routines which are conventional ways for presenting information (therefore
predictable). As far as we have known, there are two kinds of routines: information
routines and interactional routines.
Information routines frequently recur types of information structures including stories;
descriptions of places and people; presentation of facts comparisons, instructions.
Interaction routines are routines based not so much on sequences of kinds of terms
occurring in typical kinds of interactions. These routines thus can be characterized in broad
terms including the kinds of turns typically occurring in given situations, and the order in
which the components are likely to occur. In detail, there are five conventions that are
related to conversations, that is, conversation openings, conversation closing, turn-taking,
topic negotiating, and participant and non-participant identifying. Conversations such as

telephone, interview, casual encounters at parties, lessons, etc. all tend to be organized in
characteristic ways (Bygate, 1987:24,25-25).
1.2.4. Conversation openings
Every conversation is different from all others. Nobody ever had exactly the same private
conversation again, even if he conversed about the same topic. Nevertheless there are
certain items in conversations that are very alike or completely alike, and which seem to be
built on certain schemes. One of places in conversations where these schemes occur is
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Theoretically, the number of possibilities for conversation openings is infinite,
for

instance,

Questions/Request,

Offers,

Challenges,

Compliments,

Greetings,

Invitations, Announcements, Stereotyped expression or topic, and so on. Although the
number of possibilities for conversation openings is infinite, in practice, according to
Schegloff (1972), we do so limited number of ways.
In daily business situations, there is often certain ways of opening a conversation. The
followings are what most commonly used:
By greeting
Greeting is the easiest and most usual way to open a conversation. This pattern is used by
everyone to start his talk to an acquaintance or to a stranger. When people meet, one
usually starts to talk by saying “Hi!” or “Hello”, or by asking “How are you?”, “How are
you doing?” to another or the others. After the other person or persons respond to one of
these greetings, they open a real conversation. So, such greetings sometimes can be
regarded only as a prelude of a real conversation.
However, it does not necessarily mean that every greeting will produce a conversation.
For example, when people greet to each other on their way without stopping their steps,
then they have no intention to go on their talking:
A: Hi! How are you doing?
B: Pretty good.

By requesting
Starting a conversation by requesting is quite popular in business context. People use
this mode when they wish to ask for help or assistance, of which a commonly found

situation is asking for direction/guidance. For example,
A: Excuse me, can you help me?
B: Yes, please
A: Can you show me …
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By questioning
When the first speaker opens a conversation by asking a question or several questions,
he expects to get the answer. Therefore, the mode falls into Q/A (Question and
Answer) pairs, which project the form and content of answers, and is often used in
interviews
Example:
A: Alison, do you know where John is?
B: I am sorry, I do not know.
A: Ok, thank you.

By addressing
People often use such attractive words or phrases as “Hey” and “Excuse me”,

including addressing one‟s name to volunteer a talk with others because these words
and phrases will draw the attention of others, especially when one puts emphasis on
them.
Example:
A: Hey, Stephanie. (with stress on these two words) I’ll give you something.
B: What will you give me?
A: You did a lot of work. I’ll give you something as a gift. Come with me.
B: Thank you!

By Making Comment on Something Both Sides Know:
The following example is a dialogue between two students going out of a classroom
A: It’s hot inside.
B: Yes, I think so. They should leave the door open…
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In dialogue, we can see that the two students are commenting on the temperature in
the classroom while going out of the classroom together. Each of them has a clear idea
of what the other person mentions. The knowledge of the same thing constitutes the

foundation of the topic for their conversation. This style can often be found after
attending a class, seeing a film, watching a game, and so on.
By complimenting
Opening a conversation with a compliment is more interesting and appealing for the
other person than any remark on the weather. For the topic of your compliment, select
a feature from the person that really impresses you. Otherwise the compliment might
come across as not genuine. Continue on the topic if your conversation partner shows
interest. For example,
A boy can start a conversation with a girl by complimenting “you look nice tonight.”
Or a girl can open a conversation with another girl “ I like your bag/shoes/jacket.”

Finally, by knowing the conversational theories, the writer knows that the choice of ways
of conversation opening varies across three things, that is, mode, channel, settingand
setting.

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CHAPTER 2: CONVERSATION–OPENING TEACHING AND LEARNING
2.1. An overview
The research site
Thaibinh Economic and Technical School was established in 1989 and developed into
College in 2000. It is located at 12 Hoang Cong Chat Street, Thaibinh city. It involves
various functions and responsibilities; of which training College-level students majoring in
Economics is a main duty.
In term of training language, English is chosen to be the only foreign language for TETC
students of all majors and levels. There are three main textbooks: Enterprises, streamlines,
and speciality English materials; of which, Enterprises, Enterprises are taught to college-

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level students.
In term of training languages, English is chosen to be the only foreign language for
students of all majors and levels. For a long term, English has been taught with a focus on
language, that is, grammar and vocabulary. However, the English speaking skill has
recently received a place of big concern. Lessons involving all 4 skills (listening, speaking,
reading and writing) have been taught to College-level students for over two years now.
Infrastructure
For meeting the requirement of physical conditions for teaching and learning, we are
equipped with 50 classrooms, 6 computer rooms (250 sets), 2 labs (60 pieces), 16
projectors, microphones….. The college library includes 5 rooms, of which there is one
electronic library room with 30 personal computers connected to the Internet. All working
offices have personal and portable computers. Our English and Informatics centre have 8
sets of computers, of which four ones are for teachers of English. On average, one set
serves the working demand of two teachers of English.

Teachers
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We have 8 full-time teachers of English: one master, one post-graduate, one currently on
MA course, five bachelors. Besides, the College constantly employs 5 part-time teachers
from other universities, colleges and high schools. 100% teachers of English has been
trained methodology (full-time training at Hanoi Foreign Language Teacher Training
College or certificate training).

Students
Most students of College-level are High school graduates quite equal in ages, reasons for
study, language knowledge and competence. Almost all students are aged from 20 to 23. A
large number of students (around 70%) have had 3 years of English at High schools. A
quite smaller number of students (around 20 to 25%) have learnt 6 years of English at both
primary and high schools. Some others only experience certain knowledge of English from
a group of part-time or evening classes.
The English proficiency of most TETC students is at Elementary level: some students
master a quite good knowledge of grammar and vocabulary; the others know grammar and

vocabulary but can not use them well.
Có thể sửa câu trên lại như sau: Almost TETC students are commonly characterized as

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shy, quiet and passive.
Có thể sửa câu trên thành như sau:
Almost TETC students are commonly characterized as shy, quiet and passive
These students have some common characteristics: shy, keeping quiet, and passive in
learning English, mostly dependent on textbooks and teachers, uncooperative and
unplanned working, low self-study consciousness, inappropriate English studying method.
Textbook “Enterprise I”
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Enterprises 1, 2, 3 have been long used as the main course books for teaching and learning
English at TETCTETC college-level students. Originally, they are used to teach language
knowledge. However, for over 2 years now, they are used to teach communication; of
which, Enterprise I is taught to students of the first term.

Structure of content:
Enterprise I consists of 10 units, designed in the time process, and focusing its content
around the business operation of a company entitled Travel Services Limited. and Alison
from her first day to the successful day in this company. Each unit concentrates on a
different situation occurring in daily business work that most the learners of business
English are likely to encounter in their future working environments. In almost all lessons,
conversations appear as main texts.
An outstanding speaking type in Enterprise I is Conversation. Conversation appeared

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in almost all lessons as main texts.
o Unit 1: A telex from Mr. Green
o Unit 2: In the office - Alison's first working day

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o Unit 3: At the airport - at the hotel

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o Unit 4: An appointment

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o Unit 5: Working late

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o Unit 6: A meeting in Paris

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o Unit 7: A change of plan-unexpected trip

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o Unit 8: Arriving in a new country

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o Unit 9: A telephone call from Paris

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o Unit 10: An interview

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All these units are designed in the way of involving the students in all four language skills
(listening, speaking, reading and writing) at basic and low level.
Activities and exercises related to speaking:
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Speaking activities in Enterprise I activities are mainly reading - saying and remembering,
asking and answering, and sometimes playing roles. Speaking is integrated within
activities, normally before a reading or after a listening (for example, after hearing a phone
call, taking and relaying a message, students are asked to answer some questions for
checking the information that students can hear).

Speaking skills are integrated within activities. A speaking exercise normally follows a
listening, stands before a reading (take an example, after hearing a phone call, taking and
relaying a message, students are asked to answer some questions or playing roles).
Therefore, interactions only focus on answering question after listening or asking and
answering to check the information that students can listen, making questions and
answering based on given pictures, practicing speaking certain functional languages
appeared in the conversation.
Activities and exercises related to Conversation-openings:
As mentioned above in content of Enterprise I, tThe language of conversation openings
commonly appeared in the context of greeting a visitor, greeting a workmate, answering a
phone call, at an interview…...
The language of conversation openings is designed in Functions sections in the way form
of reading - saying and remembering. Activities and exercises are little, simple, and
unvarying.
2.2. Conversation-opening teaching and learning

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Questionnaires delivered to TETC teachers and students aimed at investigating the
teaching and learning of conversation openings have been responded. This part shows data
analysis and its results.
investigating “how effective are conversation openings taught to TETC students” have
been responded. This part shows data analysis and its results.

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2.2.1. Questionnaires for Teachers
A total of 8 copies of questionnaires were delivered to teachers. All of them were
responded with all 10 questions answered. These questionnaires are designed for surveying
5 issues which are shown in 5 tables as follows:
o Table 1: The teaching experience
o Table 2: The teaching of Conversation-openings.
o Table 3: Assessment on students‟ learning
o Table 4: Assessment on course-book

o Table 5: Feasibility of recommendations
In order to identify the reality of teaching and learning conversation openings at TETC,
this section will analyze only tables from one to four in details:
Table 1: The teaching experience
A

B

C

(%)

(%)

(%)

12,5

25

62,5

%

%

%

How long have you been teaching

25

75

0

Enterprise I?

%

%

%

OOptions
Questions
Question 1

Have you ever taught the English
speaking skill before?
A. Yes, a lot
B. Yes, a little
C. No, I've never

Question 2

A. 1-2 years
B. 3-5 years
C. More than 5 years
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Table 1 shows statistics of the teacher‟s experience inof teaching the English, speaking
skill and in teaching teaching Enterprise I.
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