Pragmatic Skills in Conversations

“Hey, this is an interview. I have to ask you a question and you must answer me. Don’t say anything until I finish, O.K? Are you ready? Here is the first question. What is your most favorite book?” the student asked his partner.

When we got our class list that year, we noticed that our students came from three different classes. We decided to pair our students up for ‘interviews’ to make the exchange of information more personal. At the end of the interview each student talked about his or her partner’s favorites-books, song, snack and animal.

Sounds basic doesn’t it? Ah, but wait until you hear a speech therapist break up the process!

"My friends," my co-teacher began. "An interview is a very special event. Before I came to work in this school I had an interview with the principal. What do you think happens at an interview?"

One student volunteered, “People asked you questions to see if you know how to be a teacher.”

“You are right. They asked me questions like “What did you learn about teaching? How will you teach …” You know what? After that I met Ms. S for the first time and we talked about each other. It was not the same as the interview with the principal but it was like an interview.”

“I know! You asked each other questions. That's why it was also like an interview!" pat came one answer.

"Well, Ms. S and I are going to show you. Watch how we talk to each other because you have to help us make a list afterwards."

Then we began our role play:

Ms. B: Good morning, I’m Ms. B. Nice to meet you.
Ms. S: Good morning, Ms. B. I’m Ms. S. Nice to meet you too. You are new here. Did you find the school easily?
Ms. B: Yes I did, thank you. My friend who lives in this city showed me how to get here.
Ms. S: Oh, I thought you lived in this city?
Ms. B: No, I live and work in a small town about three hours north of here.
Ms. S: Then the other new staff member must be from here. I must have confused you with her. Did you drive this morning or did you stay overnight at your friend’s place?
Ms. B: I came last evening and stayed with my friend. Do you live near school?
Ms. S: I live about 20 minutes away. Not far at all. I have a question—are you going to be my co-teacher this year?
Ms. B: Yes, I think we are going to be working together. This will be a new experience for me. I worked with children but not in a classroom. Have you been a classroom teacher for long?

Our role play continued for a few minutes before we stopped for a discussion.

“You asked each other questions about where you live, where you work, what you like…” one student commented.

“That’s right. We were meeting for the first time. And we were going to work together—so we wanted to know more about each other. Let’s make a list of how we talked to each other," Ms. B said as I started writing.

The list follows in the next post...