Communication

Key words:
verbal, nonverbal communication, grammar, vocabulary, communicative skills: listening, reading, speaking, writing
reception, production, interaction, mediation, formal, informal, colloquial, dialect, slang, jargon, varieties of language, standard English, standard American, spoken, written
communicative language competence, linguistic, sociolinguistic, strategic, discourse, first language, mother language, official language, native speaker, non-native speaker, bilingual speaker, language barrier, modern, foreign language
fluency, accuracy, appropriacy, pronunciation, precision,
signs, signals, hand signals, morse code, sign language, gestures,  sign, symbol, emblem, logo, insignia, postures, mime, shake, nod, make a sign, motion, wink, wave, gesticulate, whisper, cry, shout, roar,   

In reaction  to unusual events  you can be:
- surprised – you can get shock, you can` t  believe, you can` t catch our breath, you can jump out of your skin
- emotional – you can swallow hard st., you can burst of crying,  you can stay absolutely speechless, you can break down, you can be overcome, burst  or moved into tears
- angry – to call sb. names, to lose your temper,  to go mad or furious, to turn red from anger,  to hit the roof
- afraid – to go as white as a sheet, to panic, your heart can miss a beat, you can run a mile, to start shaking, trembling, to shoulder
- embarrassed – you can be dying of embarrassment,  be blushing, not to know where to put yourself,
- amused – you can burst of laughing, to laugh your head off, nearly die of laughing, cannot help of laughing,  see the funny side of things, to be hysterical, to chuckle [chichotat sa]

Tell a partner or write about a funny /frightening/embarrassing experience you have had. Describe how you felt.
• Describe some gestures typical for your mother language.
• What are the basic differences between formal and informal English.
• Explain differences between informal letters and business [formal] letters.
• Give pros and cons of e-mail communication.
• Name some differences between American and British English [in grammar, spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary]

1. How do people communicate?
2. What do you consider the most difficult aspects of English? What makes English difficult for you? Make a list.  Compare English with other foreign language you have studied.
3. How would you like to improve your English?