Unit 4: Functions

 Unit 4

Functions

After having reviewed the previous units of the TKT book Modules 1, 2 and 3. It is now time to check the unit of Functions.

What is a language function?

A language function, according to Rutherford-Quach et al. (2015) refers to the reason why a person communicates. There is a reason behind the communication process.

There are other aspects that should be considered at the moment of communicating. For instance, it is essential to know whether the register would be appropriate or not for a situation as well as the context. If a person is talking to someone he or she knows, a person that is close to him or her, the level of formality would be low so that both participants acknowledge the closeness they have. On the other hand, if a person is talking with someone he or she barely know, in order to show respect, the level of formality should be high so that the other person acknowledge the fact that she is been treated with respect.

Teaching language functions

According to Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., & Williams, M. (2012), in the past language functions were topics of the units but as there are lots of new grammatical structures, learners were often confused as the grammar was not actually taught but the language functions themselves. These books used the functional approach

Nowadays, language functions are not taught isolated, in fact they are taught alongside the grammar structures so that the students can get the grasp better of both the grammar and the language functions.

According to Beare (2020), language functions should be taught according to the level of the students.

Beginning level

Describing and comparing places, people, and things

Expressing both likes and abilities

Ordering something to eat from a menu in a restaurant.

Using both yes / no and information questions.

Intermediate level

Making both predictions and suggestions and expressing suggestions.

Not describing but also contrasting places, people and things.

Both agreeing and disagreeing.

Stating preferences

Talking about past events

Advanced level

Being able to summarize, generalize and speculate about topics

Interpretate date

Preparing a speech

Misc. information

It is also essential to know that language functions are expressed with ING.

For example: Requesting, suggesting, introducing yourself, summarizing and so on.

The register refers to the formality or informality of language used in a situation.

An informal register is most of the time used with friends.

Bibliography:

Beare Kenneth. (2020, August 26). Using Language Functions to Learn and Teach English. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/using-language-functions-to-learn-3888185

Rutherford-Quach, S., Hsieh, H., Zerkel, L., Skarin, R. & Wiles, S. (2015). Module Two: Task Analysis. Stanford University. Retrieved from the ELPA21 Consortium Website.

Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., & Williams, M. (2011). The TKT Course Modules 1, 2 and 3 (Second). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139062398.003