Dos and don'ts in spoken language

Lesson Flow:

(5 minutes) Introduction: Setting the Stage

• Begin by asking students, "Think about a time you had a really positive conversation. What made it good?" And "Think about a time a conversation didn't go so well. What happened?" Briefly discuss a few student responses, highlighting the impact of verbal and nonverbal cues.

• Introduce the lesson's focus: exploring the "dos and don'ts" of spoken language to become more effective and considerate communicators.

(15 minutes) Brainstorming the "Dos": Building Positive Habits

• Divide the board into two columns: "Dos" and "Don'ts."

• Ask students to brainstorm behaviors that contribute to positive spoken interactions. Guide them with prompts like:

  • "When you're listening to someone, what helps you understand and feel respected?" (e.g., eye contact, nodding, asking clarifying questions)

  • "When you're speaking, what makes your message clear and engaging?" (e.g., speaking clearly, using appropriate tone, being mindful of your audience)

  • "How do you show respect for the other person?" (e.g., waiting your turn to speak, acknowledging their points)

• Record student responses in the "Dos" column, elaborating on each point with brief explanations. For example, next to "Eye contact," you might add "(shows engagement and respect)."

(15 minutes) Unpacking the "Don'ts": Identifying Communication Barriers

• Now, shift focus to negative behaviors. Ask students:

  • "What are some things people do when speaking that make it hard to listen or feel respected?" (e.g., interrupting, speaking too loudly or softly, using jargon without explanation)

  • "What behaviors can make a conversation uncomfortable or unproductive?" (e.g., dominating the conversation, being dismissive, using offensive language)

• Record these in the "Don'ts" column, again adding brief explanations. For instance, next to "Interrupting," you might add "(disrupts the flow and shows a lack of respect)."

(20 minutes) Activity 1: "Good Talk/Bad" Scenario Analysis (Whole Group/Small Groups)

• Present short scenarios (either verbally or written on the board/projector) depicting different spoken interactions.

• For each scenario, ask students to identify specific "dos" and "don'ts" they observed.

• Example Scenarios:

  • "Sarah is explaining her idea, and John keeps cutting her off to share his own thoughts." (Don't: Interrupting)

  • "Maria listens attentively to David, nodding and asking, 'Can you tell me more about that?'" (Do: Active listening, asking clarifying questions)

  • "During a group discussion, Tom speaks very quietly and mumbles, making it hard for others to understand him." (Don't: Speaking unclearly.)

  • "Priya makes sure to look at the person who is speaking and responds directly to their points." (Do: Eye contact, relevant responses)

• Discuss each scenario as a whole group or have students discuss in small groups before sharing their observations.

(25 minutes) Activity 2: "Navigating the Conversation"—Rol"e-Playing and Scenario Application (Small Groups)

• Provide students with a handout containing various spoken communication scenarios (tailored to their age and context).

• Example Scenarios:

  • You are asking a teacher for clarification on an assignment.

  • You disagree with a friend's opinion during a casual conversation.

  • You are introducing yourself to someone new at a social event.

  • You need to give constructive feedback to a teammate.

  • You are listening to a friend share a personal problem.

• In small groups, have students choose a scenario and role-play how they would navigate the conversation, consciously applying the "Dos" and avoiding the "Don'ts" discussed.

• Encourage them to consider:

  • Their tone of voice

  • Their body language

  • The specific language they use

  • How they listen and respond

• After a few minutes, have each group briefly share their approach and the "dos" they focused on. You can also ask other students to identify any "don'ts" they observed (constructively).

(5 minutes) Wrap-up and Key Takeaways

• Revisit the "Dos" and "Don'ts" list on the board.

• Ask students to summarize the key takeaways from the lesson. Emphasize that effective spoken communication is about being clear, respectful, and mindful of the other person.

• Reinforce that these skills take practice and encourage them to consciously apply these principles in their everyday conversations.

(Optional Extension Activities):

• Video Analysis: Show short video clips of effective and ineffective communication and have students analyze them using the "Dos" and "Don'ts" framework.

• Reflection Journal: Ask students to reflect in a journal on a recent conversation they had, identifying what they did well and what they could improve based on the lesson.

• Creating "Communication Guidelines": Have students work in groups to create a set of 5-10 key guidelines for positive spoken communication.