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'Master the Code' Seminar

'Master the Code' Seminar

The 5W1H of English Mastery

Overview

1) Who and what are the experts saying? (I)2) When is language acquired and practiced? (I)3) Where are the key areas of English Mastery? (II)4) How do we apply? (II)5) Why English Mastery? (II)

Who and what are the experts saying?

3 unique perspectives1 common voice

A renowned writer. A thought leader. A nation builder.

They all say the same thing.

JK Rowling

Author of Harry Potter Series. Love for language started when she was young. Loved listening in to her grandfather's tales.Wrote fairy tales for her baby sister. Read vivaciously.

Malcolm Gladwell Thought leader Book, 'Outliers' on successful people in business,

science, sports such as Bill Gates, J R Oppenheimer (Manhattan Proj.)

Brought up in a nurturing environment where parents are heavily invovlved in their children's lives.

Lee Kuan Yew “My Lifelong Challenge: Singapore's Bilingual

Journey.” Talks about the development of Singapore's

language education system. Start early to develop language affinity. All 3 children entered Nanyang

Primary School for Chinese.

In other words...

Use it with feedback often or lose it.How much, how well and how long

you use it matters.

When is language acquired and practiced?

Natural Affinity

'They learn perfectly the language of the country where they are born and even in less time than it takes men who are already grown.'

Geraud de Cordemoy, A Philosophical Discourse Concerning Speech.

NeuroscienceMost of the brain's cells are formed before birth,

but most of the connections among cells are made during infancy and early childhood.

Talking to young children establishes foundations for learning language during early critical periods when learning is easiest for a child.

Unique Trait?Innate ability to recognise and learn speech

unique? We look to the animal kingdom.

Birds Ability to recognise its parents' signature songs

from amongst other birds. Surprise!

Stages mimic that of a human - Learn since young.

Pefect it with their parents.Crystallise it after time.

Areas for LanguageMotor-sensory areas for language learning.Sight – Mirror Neurons Sound – Broca's Lobe - Grammar

Wernicke's Area - Memory and Vocabulary

Mirror NeuronsUse of sight to learn vocalisation.Involves mirror neurons. Located around in the

prefrontal cortex.

Broca's and Wernicke's Area

Amazing achievement What may seem simple to us is actually a great

achievement in language acquisition. H i , th e w ea th er i s n i ce t o d ay, i s n ' t i

t ? Shows vocabulary knowledge. Shows understanding of grammar rules. Produces 27 sounds guided by rules.

Adult SpeechWhy do some adults still struggle with language

competence?Remember the bottomline:Use it with feedback often or lose it.How much, how well and how long you use it

matters. What's for you?

Missing Feedback Loop

Feedback creates success

We don't always get it wrightwrite rite

right the first time

Missing Feedback Loop

Singaporeans speaking English.

Poor Sound Production

Lack of sensitivity to how sounds form.Results in low speed and accuracy in pronunciation.Errors: 1) Fried rice – Fly rice 2) Have – Haf3) Fruit – Flu 4) Juice – Joos5) Coke - Cock

Poor Vocabulary & Grammar

Gaps in Knowledge of Vocabulary and Grammar without feedback loop.

Errors: We have the fruit juice – We have fruit juiceWhat you want? – What do you want? You order enough I give you like that – Free

drink upsize for orders above ...

Use it with feedback often

Training AND teaching are needed.1) Training – Phonemes, Phonetics, Prosody2) Teaching – Vocabulary and Grammar

Result?Accuracy and Speed in speech

Phonemic AwarenessA kind of phonological awareness which listeners

are able to discriminate phonemes, the smallest units of sound that can differentiate meaning.

In English, there are 44 Phonemes. 20 Vowel Phonemes & 24 Consonant Phonemes. Arranged in the following order: 1) In order of alphabetical code2) In order of highest to lowest frequency of

apperance.

Auditory TrainingTraining to increase speed and accuracy of

pronunciation.1) Auditory Basic – bad (as it is)2) Auditory Blend - /b/ /a/ /d/ bad3) Auditory Segment - bad /b/ /a/ /d/4) Auditory Analysis - /ba/5) Auditory Replace – bid bed bad bud bod

/i/ /e/ /a/ /u/ /o/

Where are the key areas of English Mastery?

Secrets of English Mastery

The 3 key areas of English mastery Of Sounds – Phonemes (5), Phonetics (4) and

Prosody (4). Of Structure – Grammar (4) Of Meaning – Vocabulary (4)In total, 21 tips will be shared.

Phonemic AwarenessA kind of phonological awareness which listeners

are able to discriminate phonemes, the smallest units of sound that can differentiate meaning.

(Source: Wikipedia)1) Auditory Basic2) Auditory Blend3) Auditory Segment4) Auditory Analysis5) Auditory Replace

Phonetics

The system of speech sounds of a language (Source: Merriam-Webster)

4 important principles:1) Silent Letter 'e' - kite, cake, coke, nuke2) R-controlled sounds – sir, fur, teacher, liar,

doctor3) Blends – block, clog, globe, slope4) Digraphs – clock, lamb, phone

ProsodyProsody - the rhythmic and intonational aspect of

language (Source: Merriam-Webster)4 key principles in PSLE: 1) Pace – speed 2) Stress – emphasis 3) Loudness – volume4) Elevation – pitch

Reading with Prosody

Listen to the differences in reading – with and without prosody.

Audio #1 by Student AAudio #2 by Student B

Differences in readingThe key to the difference in good and bad reading

- PSLE applied or not. Result of good reading is expressiveness!Requirements in new 1278 Secondary English

Syllabus.

Structure

Grammar - the characteristic system of inflections and syntax of a language (Source: Merriam-Webster).

In short, it is a study of how words change and their patterns within a sentence.

4 main tips will be discussed.

Structures

Different structures create different meanings.#1: Creating phrases. The train is moving.The big brown train is moving off.The big brown train is moving off tonight.The big brown train is moving off tonight at 7pm.

Structures

#2 Changing the positions of the words.a1) I love you. a2) You are loved.b1) The man lost his wallet.b2) The wallet was lost.c1) Manhester United lost the game.c2) The game was lost.

Structures#3 Changing the aspects and tenses of actions.He walks to school.He walked to school.He is walking to school. He was walking to school.He has walked to school.He had walked to school.He has been walking to school.He had been walking to school.

5

Structures#4 Changing the a word's function or its PS. He was once a successful businessman.He succeeded in many businesses.He ran all of them successfully.Until all the successes got into his head.And that was the start of his downfall.

Meaning

Meaning is changed when vocabulary changes. Different words create different meanings even in

the same structure.3 tips will be discussed.

Meaning#1 Use positive words.Poor use words: You look sad today. (assumes

sadness)You don't look happy today. (assumes happiness)You look like you need some cheering up

(suggests solution)You want to take a walk? (offers help)

The power of words

Watch the movie, 'Validation'.

Meaning

#2 Use modifiers to change meaning.Try to do it. (make a small effort)Do it quickly. (make haste)Do it now. (immediate action needed)Just do it. (action is louder than words)

Meaning

#3 Different words for different intensity.The noise is loud.The noise is jarrring.The noise is deafening.The noise is unbearable.The noise is killing me.

Meaning#4 Figures of Speech for brevity and clarity.7 ways of being a Uniquely Singapore - 1) Singapore is a little red dot.2) We are a fine city.3) An island where colour doesn't matter.4) To my girlfriend, “Let's apply for a flat!”5) Instant trees.6) The crane is the national bird of Singapore.7) The $600 million durian.

How to apply them

Effective Communication Skills

Four areas of language use - Writing, reading, speaking and listening.We will focus on speech and listening as it is used

most often.

Apply

Combine Sounds, Structure and Meaning with skilful use of questions and answers.

2 main skill sets: #1 Questioning Techniques#2 Answering Techniques

Questioning TechniqueOpen questions - questions that require thought

on the part of the listener and they yield more information and encourage continued discussion.

“Mr Tan, who do you serve in your work?” (subtle)

“Mr Tan, who do you work for?” (abrupt)“Mr Tan, who is your employer?”

(abrupt)

Questioning TechniqueOpen questions - questions that require thought

on the part of the listener and they yield more information and encourage continued discussion.

“Alice, from what we have discussed so far, what excites you the most?” (ongoing discussion)

“Alice, from our discussion, what are your questions?” (finality of discussion)

“Alice, following our discussion, what are the points you find interesting? (finality of discussion)

Questioning TechniqueClosed question - aimed at obtaining the right

answer – most often a single 'yes'.“A reputation for professionalism is important,

isn't it?” (KISS – keep it short and sharp)“Being professional is important for our

reputation, isn't it?” (lengthy)“Our reputation is important sign of our

professionalism, isn't it?” (lengthy)

Questioning TechniqueClosed question - aimed at obtaining the right

answer – most often a single 'yes'.“Investing in a quality product makes a lot of

sense, don't you agree?” (KISS – keep it short and sharp)

“Buying a high quality product will give you better returns in the long run, don't you agree?” (vague)

Questioning TechniqueAlternate of choice– a question with two answers.

Either answer is a minor agreement leading toward the major decision. Best used as a leading question to the main question.

“I am available to visit you today at 3pm or would tomorrow at 9 am be better?” (increases probability of success)

“Can we meet at 3 pm today or 9 am tomorrow?” (high chance of rejection)

Questioning Technique

Involvement Question – a question that leads the listener closer to the final outcome.

“How often would you like us to touch base with you regarding the service you are receiving?”

“Do you want us to call you?” (No!)“We have a system of regular checks and

updates that you are entitled to as part of the package so how often do you want us to contact you?” (Huh?)

Answering Techniques

#1 Using questions as a reply.A: We need to check for workers' satisfaction.B: When do you think would be the best time to

survey our employees? (proactive)B: .... (passive)B: Yeah. I agree. (passive)

Answering Techniques

#1 Using questions as a reply.A: I want my refund now! (an agitated customer)B: Would you prefer that we send you a refund

check now, or credit your account for next month? (provides immediate solution)

B: Sir, calm down. (passive)B: I understand your concern, sir.

(No, you don't.)

In other words...

Use it with feedback often or lose it.

Finally...

Why SGEM7 reasons to support Speak Good English Movement: 1) First language in Singapore.2) A must-pass subject in national examinations.3) Common language across cultures and races.4) International language for trade and commerce. 5) One-fourth of the world speaks it.6) 80% of the Internet is in English.7) Most spoken foreign language in the world.

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