This week's lessons

We explored the differences between spoken language and written language and how some forms of written language (such as online conversations) shared more characteristics (features) with spoken language.

For example informal chats with friends on MSM or similar online forums shared many features of spoken language: shortened (abbreviated language, like text-language) and use of informal language (slang). This is all connected with the CONTEXT: most online conversations are INFORMAL and between friends, therefore the language used is less formal.

We also considered what we meant by Standard English (and how this is different from accent and dialect).

We watched examples of Spontaneous Speech and Scripted Speech (Emma Watson being interviewed by David Letterman and a clip from Twilight) and identified the differences between them (lots of false starts, overlaps and fillers in spontaneous speech; lots of dramatic pauses in the scripted speech).

HW: to have a conversation online, annotate it and write a PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) paragraph, explaining some of the language features, the context of the conversation and what the language used tells us about the relationship between the people having the conversation. Due in: Tues 20th Sept

New year, new course!

Dear 10y3,

Welcome back to school; I hope that you've enjoyed the summer holidays. GCSE will be hard - we have a lot of work to do, but I'm also hoping that it will also be fun! Remember that I'm here to help and that you should speak to me if you are having any difficulty with the work.

I'm aiming to update this blog on a weekly basis. It will consist of some of the activities that we've done in lessons (handy if you miss one), HW tasks, useful webpages etc.

Lesson 1:

We discussed the course outline (see the sidebar for information) and had a brief introduction to your first Controlled Assessment task: The Spoken Language Study.

HW: 2 pieces of HW today I'm afraid! Not very hard, but I do want to you complete both.
1. Answer the questions below and put into the comments box.
2. Write a letter telling me about yourself - handwritten or typed.
DUE IN: Friday 9th Sept

Everyday you are placed in a variety of situations that require you to:

• use spoken language e.g. talking to your English teacher about your HW being late


• respond to spoken language e.g. answering a question, asked by a teacher, in front of the class during a lesson


• listen to spoken language e.g. listening to the radio whilst having breakfast

THINK ABOUT YOUR DAY SO FAR AND WRITE DOWN AS MANY DIFFERENT EXAMPLES AS YOU CAN OF THE SPOKEN LANGUAGE THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED.

I look forward to reading your responses! See you on Friday,

Mrs Roberts