Dr Liu May

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Abstract

In this paper, looking at language from a Halliday's SFL point of view, the register theory can be applied to teach Chinese spoken interaction. There are three variables of the features of register: mode, field and tenor. First, "mode" means the media or channel of communication, such as oral or written form; "mode" also refers to the role of communication, such as preaching or reasoning. We integrate 3 modes of communication (interaction, interpretation, and presentation) as well as three ways by chatting (talk as interaction), enquiring (talk as transaction), and conveying information (talk as performance) into teaching Chinese oral interaction. Second, "field" refers to the language of the environment. We are using the authentic materials through the internet platforms of film, television, radio. Its biggest feature is integrating the sight, sound and motion in one. Therefore, the spoken interaction is based on a concise dialogue or monologue, and become more colloquial and coordination with the screen. Finally, "tenor" refers to the social roles of participants, i.e., who talk to whom, and the feelings of those speakers. In the oral practice, we focus on teaching students how to respond to the different audiences in order to enhance their oral interaction competency. This design of spoken interaction course is based on social networking and the function of language. It is useful for teaching Chinese spoken interaction in a real life.

Keyword(s) : mode; field; tenor; Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL); teaching Chinese spoken language; situation and interaction