Scripting:
Practicing Verbal Interaction
Chapter 33, p. 193-197
Idalia Gannon
Brenda Ayala Lewis
EDC S382S- ESL Methods
Summer 2010
What is scripting?
• Scripting (Lozanov, 1982) is a strategy that
prepares ELLs with sample language
interactions or situational dialogues
appropriate for upcoming events.
• Scripts are presented and practiced prior to
students encountering the situation.
Why should you script?
• Provides
opportunities for:
– Advance preparation
and practice for an
event.
– Lowers anxiety
– Builds confidence in
the ability to
communicate in
English.
– verbal interaction in
English.
– Verbal play and role
play.
– Understanding the
appropriate situation
where the script will
be utilized.
TESOL Standards
• Goal 1: To use English to communicate in
social settings.
– Standard 1: Students will use English to
participate in social interactions
– Standard 2: Students will interact in, through, and
with spoken and written English for personal
expression and enjoyment.
– Standard 3: Students will use learning strategies to
extend their communicative competence.
TESOL Standards
• Goal 2: To use English to achieve
academically in all content areas
– Standard 1: Students will use English to interact
in the classroom.
– Standard 2: Students will use English to obtain,
process, construct, and provide subject-matter
information in spoken and written form.
– Standard 3: Students will use appropriate learning
strategies to construct and apply academic
knowledge.
TESOL Standards
• Goal 3: To use English in socially and
culturally appropriate ways
– Standard 1: Students will use the appropriate
language variety, register, and genre according to
audience, purpose, and setting.
– Standard 2: Students will use nonverbal
communication appropriate to audience, purpose,
and setting.
– Standard 3: Students will use appropriate learning
strategies to extend their sociolinguistic and
cultural competence.
Step by Step
• Identify an opportunity for verbal interaction.
– Plan the interaction and write a short dialogue
• Explain and model the script
– Explain the situation and have a student help demonstrate the script
– Interact and role play
– Careful listening
• Practice in Pairs
– Pair ELL’s with more fluent speakers of English at the beginning
and then pair according to need.
• Assess student progress and understanding
– Observe and listen for the ability to use the script and adapt
responses.
– Video/audio taping to identify strengths and areas for improvement
Scenario 1: Primary K-2
Implications:
• Social and Behavioral
Exposure
• Use L1 to make connection to
L2
• Direct instruction:
– Memorization of exchange
of events:
• Greeting
• Self introduction
• School’s surroundings:
library, nurse
– Model Behavior
• Support with music
– Exposure
•
•
Step 1 Identify an opportunity
for verbal interaction
– Greeting classroom visitors,
asking for help at the library,
visit to the nurse
Step 2 Explain and model the
script.
– Teacher helps model interaction
for student
•
Step 3 Practice in Pairs
– Music and movement
– Song
•
Step 4 Assess student progress
and understanding.
– Discussion on when to use the
exchange
Scenario 2: Upper intermediate 3-5
• Implications:
– Bilingual Classroom with a
mixed population of bilingual
students and native English
speakers.
– Content/Context specific
situation for scripting
•
•
Step 1: Identify an opportunity.
– Oral history interview in the
classroom
Step 2: Explain and model the
script
– The script will help with
inviting a guest in the
classroom for an interview
and asking about the manner
to interview.
•
•
Step 3: Practice in pairs.
– Pair ELL with a fluent native
speaker of English/ bilingual
student.
– Dialogue with alternate
response.
Step 4: Assess student progress
and understanding.
– Record with a camera and
review the video for strengths
and areas needing
improvement.
Dialogue with Alternate Responses:
Oral History Interview
“Hello, my name is ___ and I am very happy to have you here in class today.
I am looking forward to learning about you and your history.”(Shake
hands with the guest).
“Please follow me to the interview area of the class.”
(Guide the guest to the area by gesturing with your hand in the direction of
the interview area.)
You ask, “May I please video tape the interview?”
1. If the response is, “Yes.”
You say “Thank you. I will need for you to please sit next to me while I
ask some questions. Do not worry about the camera.” (Smile)
2. If the response is, “No.”
You say, “Thank you for letting me know. I will then ask you questions
and I will write down your responses to the questions.” (Smile)
3. If the response is, “I don’t know.”
You say, “Let me explain how the interview works and you can decide
whether you are comfortable with video taping.” (Provide explanation)
Scripting and Technology
• Utilize glogster for the use of scripting
– Model in class before use
– Center for extra practice
• Audio
• video
– Publish
– Evaluation
• Strengths
• Areas to improve
• Glogster
Questions?????