CHAPTER FOUR - Oral Expression

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance of oral expression. Although speaking is the natural mode of expression, as a purposeful activity, it is seldom accepted by a whole class; too frequently the teacher and a mere handful of pupils participate, and the manner of speaking is either halting or pompous. The natural quality found out of school is lost in the oral English lesson, chiefly because the attitude of the teacher that speaking is not a means but an end, and this does not make sense to the class. The size of a class militates against the creation of an effective setting for the most important type of oral expression, that is, conversation. Acting is a still more specialized form of oral expression. Of the more formal exercises in speaking, the prepared talk is the most valuable. Speakers should be encouraged to choose topics of personal interest and should be advised about helpful reading material. For younger children and for slower readers in the comprehensive school, selected passages rather than entire books can be needed.