How do conversations work? Our Sixth Form students of English can tell you!
Learning
In Year 12 English Language lessons, we have been exploring the hidden rules that shape everyday conversations. From knowing when to take a turn in a discussion to spotting when someone means more than they actually say, we've discovered that communication is full of unspoken conventions.
Through analysing real conversations, we've seen how pauses, interruptions, humour and even silence can help create meaning. We’ve watched football interviews and spotted that David Beckham likes to say ‘y’know’ a lot, and now we know why. We’ve watched boardroom clips of The Apprentice and explored conflict in the context of ‘reality’ TV, and can now identify all the categories of impoliteness. It's been a fascinating look behind the scenes of something we do every day without even thinking about it!
Who knew there was so much going on in an ordinary chat?
