Spoken Language – (Edexcel GCSE) - English

Spoken Language Endorsement

A separate assessment in GCSE English Language focusing on communication skills; graded separately as Pass, Merit, Distinction, or Not Classified.

Key Differences between Spoken and Written Language

Spoken language is less structured, spontaneous, and includes non-verbal elements; written language is well-structured, pre-planned, and relies on punctuation.

Speech Accommodation Theory

A theory that explains how people adjust their speech, including convergence (making speech similar) and divergence (making speech different) to communicate.

Grice's Maxims

A set of conversational principles: Quantity (provide the right amount of information), Quality (be truthful), Relevance (stay on topic), Manner (be clear).

Ellipsis

A grammatical feature in spoken language where words are omitted for brevity (e.g., 'Coming?' instead of 'Are you coming?').

Presentation Skills

The assessment area focusing on clear speaking, well-structured content, and engaging delivery during the spoken language endorsement.

Colloquialisms

Informal expressions used in spoken language (e.g., 'gonna' for 'going to').

Formal Speech Characteristics

Formal speech uses precise vocabulary, organized structure, and a respectful tone.

Accent

The way in which words are pronounced, varying by region (e.g., Cockney, Scouse).

Instrumental Power

Power derived from authority in relationships, such as that of teachers or police.

Backchanneling

Feedback given while listening, such as 'yeah' or 'right', indicating engagement in conversation.

Preparing for a Speech

Planning and structuring a speech with an introduction, main points, and conclusion to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Power in Conversations

Ways that language reflects power dynamics, including interruptions and imperatives that convey authority.

Discourse Features

Characteristics of spoken language that facilitate conversation flow, such as turn-taking and fillers.

Dominance Theory

A theory suggesting that men tend to dominate conversations, often through interruptions.