Conversation/Communication in Context

This week, we will explore interview sketches and comprehension questions. You will build on what you already know about interviews by identifying and discussing different styles and strategies of delivering a speech. You will also read and analyse different types of texts to improve your comprehension skills. These activities will help you speak more confidently and understand written texts better. Your teacher will guide you through each lesson, so pay close attention, participate actively, and ask questions when you need help. By the end of the week, you should be able to handle interview situations and answer comprehension questions more effectively. Let’s work together to make this a productive and exciting week of learning.

KEY IDEAS

• Audience: An audience is a group of people who watch, listen to, or read something such as a play, speech, film, or book.

• Interview: An interview is a conversation where one person (the interviewer) asks questions and the other person (the interviewee) responds. It is usually done to gather information, opinions, or personal experiences.

• Narrative: A story or account of events which has a beginning, middle, and end. It often includes characters, setting, and plot.

• Skit/Sketch: A skit or sketch is a short, often humorous play or performance. It is usually performed by a small group and focuses on a single idea, event, or message.

• Speech: A speech is a formal talk given to an audience to inform, persuade, or entertain.

It is usually written and rehearsed before being delivered.

• Vocabulary: The set of words a person knows and uses. Effective vocabulary helps in speaking, writing, and understanding others clearly.

An interview is a formal or informal conversation where one person (the interviewer) asks questions and the other person (the interviewee) responds. The main goal is to gain information, clarify understanding or even entertain an audience.

Types of Speech Delivery and How to Use Them Formal: Structured, polite, standard English A formal speech style uses precise vocabulary, complete sentence structures and a respectful tone. It avoids slang, contractions and colloquial expressions.

Features of formal speech delivery

1. Use of academic or professional language

2. Full sentences with correct grammar and punctuation

3. Polite markers (e.g., please, may I, thank you)

4. Objective tone Purpose and Context of Formal Speech Delivery

1. It helps convey professionalism and credibility Using formal language or tone shows that the speaker is serious and respectful, which helps others take them seriously. It also builds trust and confidence in the speaker’s message.

2. Used in job interviews In job interviews, formal language helps applicants present themselves as competent and respectful. It also demonstrates good communication skills, which many employers value.

3. Academic presentations Formal language in academic settings ensures clarity and precision, which are important when sharing research or scholarly ideas. It also shows that the speaker understands academic standards and respects the audience.

4. Speeches at official events or in written applications Using formal language at official events reflects the importance of the occasion and the respect due to the audience. In written applications, it helps the writer sound competent, serious, and well-prepared.

Informal: Conversational, relaxed tone, informal style mimics natural, everyday conversation. It is friendly, ca- sual and personal Features

1. Use of contractions (e.g., I’m, you’re)

2. Slang or idiomatic expressions

3. First-person pronouns (I, we) and direct address (you)

4. Shorter sentences or sentence fragments

5. A more relaxed pace and tone Purpose and Context

1. Ideal for casual conversations Informal language is natural and relaxed, making it perfect for everyday chats with friends or family. It allows people to express themselves freely without worrying about strict rules.

2. Interviews for creative roles In creative fields, informal language can showcase personality and originality, which are often valued over strict professionalism. It helps the candidate connect more genuinely with interviewers.

3. Storytelling among peers Informal language makes stories feel livelier and engaging when shared with friends or classmates. It creates a friendly tone that draws listeners in and keeps them interested.

4. It makes the speaker seem approachable and relatable Using informal language helps break down barriers between the speaker and the audience. It makes the speaker sound more human and easier to connect with emotionally.

Persuasive: influencing the interviewer or audience Persuasive speech is designed to convince the listener to accept a viewpoint, take an action or see the speaker positively.

Features

1. Strong rhetorical devices (e.g., repetition, rhetorical questions, emotional appeals).

2. Confident tone and body language.

3. Use of logic and emotion.

4. Clear arguments supported by evidence or examples.

Purpose and Context

1. The goal is to persuade the audience Persuasive language is designed to influence the audience’s thoughts, feelings, or actions. It uses techniques like emotional appeal, logic, and credibility to convince listeners or readers.

2. Used in debates In debates, persuasive language helps a speaker defend their position and challenge opposing views effectively. It allows the speaker to present arguments clearly and win over the audience or judges.

3. Job interviews (especially when selling oneself) During interviews, candidates use persuasive language to highlight their strengths and show they’re the best fit for the role. It helps them confidently present their value and stand out from other applicants.

4. Political speeches Politicians use persuasive language to gain support, promote policies, or inspire action.

It’s often emotionally charged and carefully crafted to connect with the audience’s values and concerns.

5. Sales pitches Salespeople use persuasive techniques to convince potential customers to buy a product or service. They focus on benefits, urgency, and trust to influence the buyer’s decision.

Narrative: Telling a story to support answers Narrative speech style revolves around storytelling. It brings a personal or illustrative story into the conversation to explain or support an idea.

Features

1. Chronological structure (beginning, middle, end)

2. Use of sensory and emotional language

3. Relatable characters or events

4. Dialogue and reflective comments Purpose and Context

1. Stories engage the audience and help clarify points Storytelling captures attention and makes information more memorable. It allows the speaker to illustrate complex ideas in a relatable and easy-to-understand way.

2. Common in interviews (e.g. STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result) Using the STAR method helps candidates tell structured stories that clearly demonstrate their skills and experiences. It provides a logical flow that employers can easily follow and evaluate.

3. TED Talks: TED speakers often use personal or powerful stories to connect with the audience emotionally and make their message impactful. Storytelling adds depth and authenticity to their presentations.

4. Teaching: In education, stories help simplify difficult concepts and keep students engaged. They make lessons more relatable and encourage deeper understanding through real-life or imaginative examples.

Descriptive: Giving vivid explanations Descriptive speech provides detailed, appropriate imagery and sensory language to help the listener visualise or understand something clearly.

Features

1. Use of adjectives and adverbs

2. Sensory details (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)

3. Similes and metaphors

4. Precision in nouns and verbs to paint a clear picture Purpose and Context

1. It helps the audience experience or conceptualise something vividly Descriptive language uses sensory details to paint a clear picture in the audience’s mind. This makes the message more engaging, memorable, and emotionally impactful.

2. Useful in creative writing In creative writing, vivid descriptions bring characters, settings, and emotions to life. They help readers immerse themselves in the story and feel connected to what’s happening.

3. Analysing works of art When analysing works of art, descriptive language helps express what is seen, felt, or interpreted in a piece. It allows the critic to convey subtle details and evoke a deeper appreciation of the artwork.

4. Storytelling or technical descriptions Descriptive language enhances storytelling by making scenes more lifelike and emotionally resonant. In technical contexts, it ensures clarity and precision when explaining how things look, function, or operate.

Strategies for effective speech delivery ₁. Clear articulation: Speaking clearly ensures that the audience can understand every word without confusion. Good articulation enhances professionalism and prevents miscommunication.

2. Appropriate volume and tone: Adjusting volume and varying tone keep the speech dynamic and engaging. It also helps convey emotions, emphasis, and meaning effectively based on the context and audience.

3. Eye contact and gestures: Eye contact builds trust and shows confidence, while gestures reinforce key points visually. Together, they create a connection with the audience and make the speech more impactful. Making a clear gesture before the key point is an excellent method of sharpening the focus of the audience. Look at some ‘great speeches’ by public leaders and observe the use of pauses and gestures.

4. Listening actively and building on responses: Active listening shows respect for others' views and allows the speaker to respond meaningfully. It helps in adapting the speech or answers in real time to maintain relevance and audience interest.

Activity 7.1 Exploring Interviews and Speech Delivery Styles

1. In groups of four, explain in your own words what an interview is.

2. Discuss the various speech delivery styles, describing their key features, purposes, and the situations in which each style is most appropriate.

3. Using the same group, discuss the strategies that make speech delivery effective

4. What can speakers do to keep the audience engaged and deliver their message?

Activity 7.2 Discussing Local and Global Issues Together

1. In pairs, discuss the given topics related to local and global issues.

2. How do the topics connect to different fields such as STEM?

3. What are your group’s thoughts or solutions?

4. Share your ideas with the class.

Activity 7.3 Speaking on Issues Using Effective Delivery

With your pair, pick one of the topic cards and discuss the topic written on it. Use an appropriate speech delivery style and strategy to convey your ideas clearly.

Activity 7.4 Questioning Rules That Affect Us

Talk with a classmate and share your ideas on the following structures in our societies. Be prepared to share your ideas with the class. To prepare for this, revisit

Activity 6.5 and read the extract from ‘Anowa’ by Ama Atta Aidoo again. Keep the following points in mind when talking with your classmate.

a. Do you think all boys and girls are given equal chances in school?

b. Do you think all boys and girls are given equal chances at home?

c. Do you think every child in the world should have access to free education?

Activity 7.5 Talk Show Time

In pairs, create a short interview where one of you is the interviewer and the other is a famous person or expert. Prepare and perform it for the class.

Let’s Talk About What Matters

This week, we will engage in conversations that go beyond the textbook. From climate change, youth unemployment to education policies. We’ll explore real issues shaping your life and the world around you.

You’ll ask big questions, look at the “why” behind the problems, and think critically about possible solutions. This lesson is designed to help you share your views with confidence, use facts and evidence to support your ideas, and listen respectfully to opinions that differ from yours.

Through debates and discussions, you’ll grow your skills in reasoning, empathy, and clear communication qualities that matter in school, work and life.

This is your chance to speak up, think deeply, and be part of real-world problem- solving. Are you ready to explore what matters most?

Let’s get started.

KEY IDEAS

• Critical questions are deep, thoughtful questions that help us to understand a topic better by exploring different sides or looking for reasons.

• Evidence is proof or support for an idea, opinion, or argument. It helps to show that something is true.

• Fact is a piece of information that is true and can be proven.

• Topical Issues are current problems or events happening in society that people are talking or arguing about.

Topical issues are current, important events or problems that people are talking about and debating. These can be local (happening in your community), national (across your country), or global (affecting the whole world). They often relate to things like:

1. Governance

2. Health

3. Education

4. The environment

5. The economy

6. Social challenges Issues That Impact People’s Lives These issues usually impact people’s lives and attract a lot of public attention.

Here are some current issues affecting communities in Ghana and around the world:

1. Youth and Drug-Related Challenges: Rising cases of substance abuse and its impact on young people’s health, education, and future.

2. Illegal Mining (Galamsey): Unregulated mining activities that destroy the environment and pollute water bodies.

3. Flooding in Ghana: Frequent floods due to poor drainage systems, urban planning, and climate change.

4. Mental Health Awareness: A growing need to address depression, anxiety, and emotional well-being, especially among youth.

5. Corruption and Accountability in Public Office: The misuse of power and public resources, and efforts to promote transparency.

6. Gender-Based Violence: Violence directed at individuals based on their gender, including domestic abuse and harassment.

7. Teenage Pregnancy: Pregnancy under the age of twenty. It has an impact on education, health, and future opportunities for young girls.

8. Energy Crisis and Power Supply Issues: Challenges with electricity generation and distribution (e.g., "dumsor" in Ghana).

9. Plastic Pollution and Waste Management: The poor disposal of plastics and limited recycling efforts cause environmental problems.

10. Access to Quality Education: Inequalities in education due to location, income, or disability.

11. Fake News and Misinformation: The spread of false information on social media and its effect on public opinion and safety.

Figure 17.2: Image showing a Galamsey site Click on the link or scan the QR code below to watch a documentary on plastic waste https://youtu.be/qgGToWC11yA Critical Questions Critical questions don’t just ask for facts; they make you think more deeply. They require analysis, reasoning, and evidence. These questions help you explore causes, effects, and possible solutions.

Examples of critical questions

1. Poor Sanitation

a. What are the root causes of poor sanitation in urban and rural communities?

b. Whose responsibility is it to improve sanitation - government, individuals, or both?

2. Food Security

a. What factors threaten food security in Ghana today?

b. How can local farming methods be improved to meet future food needs?

3. Flooding in Ghana

a. What role does poor planning play in repeated flooding?

b. How can communities prepare better for flood disasters?

4. Illegal Mining (Galamsey)

a. Why do people continue to engage in galamsey despite the known dangers?

b. Is banning illegal mining enough, or should other solutions be explored?

5. Migration and Refugee Crisis

a. What are the main reasons young Africans risk their lives to migrate to Europe?

b. How does migration affect both the home and host countries? How best do you think host countries should prepare for the new arrivals?

Tips on Using Facts and Evidence to Discuss Topical Issues

1. Know What Counts as a Fact or Evidence

a. Facts are statements that can be proven true (e.g., statistics, historical dates, scientific results).

b. Evidence includes facts, examples, quotes, reports, or real-life cases that support your point.

Example: "According to UNICEF, poor sanitation causes 70% of child diseases in Ghana."

This is a fact-based statement that strengthens your argument

2. Do Research Before You Speak or Write

a. Use reliable sources like news articles, research reports, government websites, and expert opinions.

b. Don’t just rely on your opinion—back it up with facts.

3. Connect the Evidence to Your Main Point: Don't just throw in a fact; explain why it matters.

Example: "Galamsey has polluted over 60% of Ghana’s rivers. This shows how illegal mining is not just about money—it’s destroying our drinking water."

4. Use Real-Life Examples: Add case studies, stories, or news events to show the issue in action.

Example: "In 2022, Accra experienced major floods that displaced hundreds. This highlights the real danger of poor urban planning."

5. Practise Explaining Facts in Your Own Words: Don’t just copy from a source;

summarise it in your own words.

Original: "Climate change has led to unpredictable rainfall."

Your version: "Because of climate change, farmers don’t know when to plant anymore. The rains come late or not at all."

Activity 17. 1 Discussing Topical Issues

In groups of four, watch the short clip on flooding in parts of Accra. Click on the link or scan the QR code to watch the video on flooding in parts of Accra.

https://youtu.be/H_MPEyjZChY Take turns to state your opinion on the issue. From your friend’s opinion, agree by adding a reason, explanation or disagree by respectfully explaining why.

Activity 17.2 Using Questions to Analyse Issues

1. Your teacher will provide topic cards for this activity, or you can write the following topics on sheets or cards.

a. Youth and drug-related issues

b. Illegal mining

c. Food security

d. Migration and refugee crisis

2. In pairs, take turns doing the following activities.

a. Call another pair and pick one topic card at random. Read your chosen topic aloud, then speak briefly on the issue in two minutes.

b. Pose two questions on your topic that require analysis of facts to the other pair.

c. Listen carefully as they respond using logical reasoning, evidence, and real- world references, and share your views.

Activity 17. 3 Debate Challenge

In groups of six, do the following activities.

1. Split each group into two sides, with three members on each side. Have a ballot on which side speaks for or against the motion, and debate on the topic below.

2. Take turns presenting your arguments, listening to counterpoints, and responding with logical reasoning while respecting different opinions.

The Use of Mobile Phones Should Be

Banned in Senior High School