Attention and Turn Taking
In this section we shall explore the skills of attention and turn taking through use of dialogue.
Watch the following video clip and listen carefully to the dialogue between a prefect and other students.
Take note of the instances where effective communication does not take place.
insert here
Now listen to the same prefect and students. Take note of how they demonstrate the listening and
speaking skills better by paying attention and taking turns.
You will realize that there is a difference between the two dialogues. For effective communication to take place, one has to consider the following turn-taking features:
Objectives:
By the end of the lesson we should be able to:
Communicate correctly, confidently and appropriately.
Demonstrate acceptable communication skills.
Telephone Conversation
This lesson takes you through correct habits in ordinary face to face conversations and also telephone
conversations
Communicate correctly, confidently and appropriately.
This lesson takes you through correct habits in telephone conversations.
Etiquette
Etiquette is a set of rules and conventions governing correct or polite behavior in society in general or in a specific social or professional group or situation. These rules form an important social code of interaction.
They are applicable in various settings such as speaking, eating, dressing and working among others.
We are going to concentrate on the set of rules and conventions governing the correct behaviour in telephone conversations.
Listen to the telephone conversation and answer the following questions by typing in the correct
answers.
Parent: Hallo, I want to speak to the principal
Secretary: The principal is not in.
Parent: Can I leave a message?
Secretary: That is up to you.
Parent: When will he be back?
Secretary: How can I know, I am just a secretary.
Parent: Then tell him that Grace is sick and will not come to school
Secretary: Which Grace, we have so many Graces in this school.
Parent: Your job is to take in messages and not ask questions.
Secretary: If that is how you feel, then I can not help you. Bye!
Parent: Good morning? Is that Jamii High School?
Secretary: Yes it is. How may I help you?
Parent: My name is Peter Muli the parent to Grace Muli of form 2 North. May I speak to the principal please?
Secretary: I am sorry the principal is not in at the moment. Could you leave a message?
Parent: Please tell her that Grace is unwell and will not come to school tomorrow.
Secretary: I am very sorry to hear that sir, I will inform the principal
as soon as she comes in.
Parent: Thank you and have a nice day.
Secretary: Thank you sir. We wish Grace a speedy recovery.
Let us summarise the points that will help you develop appropriate telephone etiquette