Some methods of doing communicative situation exercise in the GCSE exam

Especially, since theschool year 2013-2014, it is compulsary for high school students throughoutVietnam to do English test in the GCSE exam and the Entrance UniversityExam also called th

THANH HOA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

HOANG HOA IV HIGH SCHOOL

1 INTRODUCTION:

1.1 RATIONALE (Reasons for choosing the topic):

There is no doubt that learning English is very important Especially, since theschool year 2013-2014, it is compulsary for high school students throughoutVietnam to do English test in the GCSE exam and the Entrance UniversityExam (also called the National Examination for high school students) Thisheightens the need for teachers to investigate alternative approaches to teachingskills that would lead to significant improvement in students’ marks

Communicative situation is one of exercises in the GCSE exam which moststudents have difficulties in

There are some reasons for this Firstly, The studens learn English mostlythrough books not in real life Secondly, most teachers mainly focus on teachingthe theory of grammar, they don’t teach students the methods of doing thisexercise When correcting for the students, the teachers often help their students

to find the key and not explain Therefore, students only choose the key inspecific sentences

It is for such reasons that my experiential initiative attempts to explore

“ Some methods of doing communicative situation exercise in the GCSE exam ”

1.2 AIMS OF THE STUDY:

My school is in the country, most of my students come from poorfamilies They learn english without the support of advanced technology suchas: computers, laptops They don’t have a lot of chances to learn English atEnglish centers The studens’ learning English mainly depends on their teachersand textbooks I myself take responsibility for the job and create several simplyways to improve the score of the students in the GCSE exam

1.3 OBJECTS OF THE STUDY:

The objects chosen for this study are 12th- form students at Hoang Hoa 4

high school, Thanh Hoa province where I have been teaching for 14 years

1.4 METHODS OF THE STUDY:

To achieve the objectives of the study, several methods are used, but I usemainly quantitative and qualitative methods

The data serving the research analysis and discussions are collected by means

of a survey questionnaire for students and observation

2 THE CONTENTS OF THE EXPERIENCE INITIATIVES

2.1 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

English as a language has great reach and influence; it is taught all over theworld English may not be the most spoken language in the world, but it is theofficial language in a large number of countries English is the language ofscience, of aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism Knowing Englishincreases studens’ chances of getting a good job in a multinational companywithin their home country or of finding work abroad

Knowing the methods of doing multiple choice questions, especially themethods of doing communicative situation exercise will help the students gainhigh score in the GCSE exam

for the GCSE exam For this exercise, most students have difficulties incommunicative situation exercise (about 90 % don’t know how to do thisexercise)

Such practical background has leaded me to my experiential initiative:

“Some methods of doing communicative situation exercise in the GCSE exam”

3 IMPLEMENTATION AND SOLUTIONS:

3.1 HOW TO DO COMMUNICATIVE SITUATION EXERCISE

Read quickly the statement and identify which kind of communicative situations

to choose the best respond

3.2 THE POPULAR COMMUNICATIVE STITUATIONS IN THE GCSE EXAM

3.2.1 Making resquests and asking permision

Making resquests

- Can/ Could/ Will/ Would you please ?

- Would you mind+ V-ing ?

- I’m afraid I can’t I’m busy now/ I’m using it

- I don’t think it’s possible

- It’s OK if I do it later?

Ex1: - Catherine: “Could you look after my baby while I’m away?”

- Her neighbor: “ _.”

A No problem B Yes, I like it C That’s right D Thank you.

The correct answer is A

Ex 2: - Linda: “ Would you go there with me?”

- Kathy: “ _.”

A Sorry, I would B Certainly, I would be glad to

C Of course, I shall not go with you D Excuse me, I would not.

The correct answer is B

Asking for permission

- May/ Might/ Can/ Could I ?

- Do you mind if I ?/ Would you mind if I ?

- Is it OK if ?

- Anyone mind if

- Do you think I can/ could ?

+ Response.

Agreeing:

- Sure/ Certainly/ Of course/ Ok

- Go ahead/ You can

- Do it! Don’t ask

Disagreeing:

- I’d rather you didn’t

- I’m afraid you can’t

- I don’t think you can

- No, you can’t/ No, not now

Ex1: Andrew is talking to a waiter in a restaurant.

- Andrew: "Can I have the bill, please?"

- Waiter: " ."

The correct answer is B

Ex2: - Peter: “Do you mind if I smoke?”

- Tony: “ _.”

A I’d rather do B I’d rather you didn’t C I don’t D Yes, please!

The correct answer is B

3.2.2 Giving opinions

- In my opinion,/ Personaly

- I my view,

- It seems to me that

- As far as I can say

- I strongly/ firmly think/ believe/ feel that

- I must say that

- That’s true./ That’s it

- You are right There is no doubt it

- I can’t agree with you more

- That’s just what I think

- That’s what I was going to say

Disagreeing or partly agreeing

- You could be right but I think

- I may be wrong but

- I see what you mean but I think

- I just don’t think it’s right that

- I don’t quite agree because

- You’re wrong there

- Personally, I think that

Ex1: Peter and Tom are talking about the film they have just watched.

- Peter: “ The film is really interesting and educational!”

- Tom: “ _.”

A Don’t mention it B That’s nice of you to say so.

C I’d love it D There is no doubt about it.

The correct answer is D

Ex2: Laura and Mitchell are talking about studying at Uninversities.

- Laura: “ I think University is the only way to be succeed.”

- Mitchell: “ _ because many people succeed without University.”

A I agree with you completly B I don’t quite agree.

C I couldn’t agree with you less D It doesn’t matter.

The correct answer is B

3.2.3 Giving advices and making suggestions

- If I were you, I would

- If I were in your situation/ shoes, I would

- It’s a good idea to

- You should/ had better

- It is advisable/ recommendable to

- I would recommend that

- Why don’t you ?

- What about/ How about ?

- Shall we ?/ Let’s

- You should/ had better or/ if not

- You should/had better Otherwise,

A That’s a good idea B all right C Thanks I will do that D Ok.

The correct answer is C

Offering

- Can/ May I help you?

- Let me help you

- How can I help you?

- Would you like some help?/ Do you need some help?

Acepting

- Yes, please

- That is great

- That would be great/ fantastic

- It would be nice/ helpful/ fantastic/ wonderful if you could

- Thanks That would be a great help

- As long as you don’t mind

Refusing

- No, please

- No That’s OK

- Thanks, but I can manage

Ex: - Peter: “Let’s me help you with your suicase?”

- Linda: “ _.”

The correct answer is D

3.2.4 Social relations

Getting and introducing

+ Getting:

– Good morning/ afternoon/ evening

– Hi/ Hello Have a good day

– How are you?/ How have you been?/ How are the things?…

+ Response.

– Good morning/ afternoon/ evening

– Hi/ Hello

– Nice/ Pleased/ Glad/ Great to meet you

– Hi I am Peter And you?

Ex1 The question in GCSE in 2017

David and his teacher are meeting at the school gate

- David: "Good morning, Mr Deakin How are you?"

- Mr Deakin: " And you?"

A I'm going home B I'm fine Thank you

C I'm having a class now D I'm busy now.

The correct answer is B

Ex2 - Peter: “ How are things going with you?”

- David: “ _.”

The correct answer is A

- Introducing

- I would like to introduce you to / to you

- I would like you to meet

- This is

- Have you two met before?

+ Response.

- How do you do ?

- -Nice/ Pleased/ Glad/ Great to meet you

Ex1 - Mr John: “Mr Smith, I ’d like you to meet Mr Matt, my friend.”

- Mr Smith: “ _.”

A Hello, how are you B Hello, how are you going.

C Hi, how are you getting on D How do you do? Nice to meet you.

The correct answer is C.

Ex2: - John: “Let me introduce myself I’m John.”

- Linda: “ _.”

A I’m very pleased B Please to meet you

C It’s my pleasure D what a pleasure

The correct answer is B

- Leaving and saying goodbye

- I’m afraid I have to be going now/ I have to leave now

- It’s getting late so quickly

- I had a great time/ evening

- I really enjoyed the party and the talk with you

- Thank you very much for a lovely evening

- Good bye/ Bye

- Good night

+ Response.

- I’m glad you had a good time

- Thanks for coming

- Let’s meet again soon

- See you later

- Good bye/ Bye

- Good night

- Take care

Ex1 Lan : “I’m afraid I must be off now.”

Mai: “ _.”

A Never mind B See you C No problem D Step slowly.

The correct answer is B

- Complimenting and congratulating

- You did a good job!

- What you did was wonderful/ desirable/ amazing

- You played the game so well

- Congratulations!

- You look great/ fantastic in your new suit

- Your dress is very lovely/ fashionable

- You have a great hairstyle!

- I wish I had such a nice house

+ Response.

- Thank you

- You must be kidding/ You’ve got to be kidding It is still terrible

- It’s nice of you to say so

- I’m glad you like it

- It’s a nice compliment

- You did so well, too

- Thank you I like yours too

Ex1 Nga: “Wow! What a nice coat you are wearing?”

Loan: “ _ ”

A It’s my pleasure B I wouldn’t Thank you.

C Certainly Do you like it? D Thanks That’s a nice compliment.

The correct answer is D

Ex2 - Kathy: “You’ve got a beautiful dress!”

- Barbara: “ _.”

The correct answer is B

Ex 3 - Tom: “I thought your tennis game was a lot better today, Tony.”

- Tony: “ _.”

A Not at all B.You’ve got to be kidding! I thought it was terrible.”

C Are you sure? D You are right.

The correct answer is B

- Thanking

- Thank you very much for

- Thank you/ Thanks/ Many thanks

- It was so kind/ nice/ good of you to invite us

- I am thankful/ grateful to your for

+ Response.

- You’re welcome

- Never mind/ Not at all

- Don’t mention it./ Forget it

- It’s my pleasure (to help you)

- I’m glad I could help

- I’m glad/pleased you like it

- It was the least we could do for you

Ex1 - Hoa: “Thank you for the lovely present.”

- Nga: “ _.”

The correct answer is D

Ex 2.- Mary: “Many thanks to you, Kate.”

- Kate: “ _ ”

A Don’t say so B It doesn’t matter.

The correct answer is B

- Apologizing

- I’m terribly/ awfully sorry about that

- I apoligize to you for

- It’s totally my fault

- I didn’t mean that Please accept my apology

- It will not happen again I promise

- I shouldn’t have done that

- Please let me know if there is anything I can do to compensate for it

+ Response.

- It doesn’t matter

- Don’t worry about that

- Forget it/ No problem/ Never mind/ That’s all right/ OK

- You really don’t have to apologize

- OK It’s not your fault

Ex1: - Kate: “I’m sorry; I’ve broken your glasses.”

- Cindy : “. _ ”

The correct aanswer is A

Ex 2: - Barbara: “I’m terribly step on your foot”

- Catherine: “ _.”

The correct answer is B

- Informing

+ a plan or a trip

- I have a trip to

- I’ll go

- We are going to buy/ build a new

- I am going to have an important

+ Response.

- Good luck!

- Congratulation

- Have a nice trip/ Have a good time

Ex: - Peter: “I’ll go fishing this weekend.”

- Linda: “ _.”

+ bad news

- I have failed /lost my wallet

- My mother / wife is ill in hospital

+ Response.

- I’m sorry to hear that

- Poor !

-What a pity!

Ex1: - Mary: “I lost my wallet on the way to school, this morning.”

- Cindy: “ _! You must be careful next time.”

The correct answer is C

EX2: - Tom: “My mother is ill in hospital.”

- Phil: “ _.”

A I don’t think so B Oh, she is unlucky

The correct answer is D.

Invitation

- Would you like to

- I would like to invite you to

- Do you feel like/ fancy having ?

- Let me

Acepting

- It is a great idea

- That sounds great/ fantastic/ wonderful/ cool/ fun

- Yes, I’d love to

- Why not?

- OK, let’s do that

Refusing

- No, thanks

- I’m afraid I can’t

- Sory, but I have another plan

- I’d love to but

- Some other time, perhaps

Ex1: - Tom: “Would you like to go hiking with us?”

- Tony: “ _.”

A No, I don’t like B I hate to go hiking.

C I’d love to, but I don’t feel well today D Yes, I’d like.

The correct answer is D

Ex 2: - Catherine: “ Would you go there with me?”

- Cindy: “ _.”

A Sorry, I would B Certainly, I would be glad to

C Of course, I shall not go with you D Excuse me, I would not

The correct answer is B

3.2.5 Collecting and confirming information

Yes/ No questions

Response

+ Yes or No

+ I think/ believe/ hope/ expect/ guess so

+ Sure/ Actually/ Of course/ Right

+ I don’t think/ believe/ expect/ guess so

+ I hope/ believe/ guess/ suppose not

+ I’m afraid not

A Thank you B all right C Some apples D It’s nice of you

The correct answer is C

Ex2: - Peter: “Did anybody go out?”

- Tony: “ I didn‟t see any body go out.”

The correct answer is D

Asking for directions or instructions

Asking for directions

- Could you show me the way to ?

- Could you be so kind to show me how to get to ?

- Is there a bank near here?/ Where’s the nearest bank?

Response

- Turn left/ right

- Go straight ahead for two blocks and then turn left

-Keep walking until you reach/ see

- It’s just around the corner

- It’s a long way You should take a taxi

- Sorry, I’m new here/ I’m a stranger here myself

- Sorry, I don’t know this area very well

Asking for instructions

- Could you show me how to operate this machine?

- Could you tell me how to ?

- How does this machine work?

Response

- First, Second, Then, Finally,

- The first step is , then

- Remember to

- Well, It’s very simple.

- Boy: “ _.”

A Come this way, please B let me see C that ‟s all right D With pleasure

2.4 RESULTS AFTER APPLYING THE RESEARCH IN TEACHING:

There are two comminicative situation sentences in the GCSE exam making up 0,4 points

The score of the students in the GCSE exam (2017-2018) in classes which are not applied the research

students

0,4 points %

0,2 points %

0 point %