Concepts and terminology for describing language skills

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

Relating to complex thoughts and ideas rather than simple, basic, concrete concepts. A text or language can be abstract, e.g. words to express thoughts or feelings are often abstract words. See concrete.

Question 2

Accuracy

Answer 2

The use of correct forms of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. In an accuracy activity, teachers and learners typically focus on using and producing language, spelling correctly. See oral fluency. |

Question 3

Coherence (noun), coherent (adjective)

Answer 3

When ideas in a spoken or written text fit together clearly and smoothly, and so are logical and make sense to the listener or reader.

Question 4

Coherence (noun), coherent (adjective)

Answer 4

When ideas in a spoken or written text fit together clearly and smoothly, and so are logical and make sense to the listener or reader.

Question 5

Cohesive device

Answer 5

A feature in a text which provides cohesion, e.g. use of topic-related vocabulary throughout a text, of sequencing words (then, next, after that etc.), of referencing words (pronouns – he, him, etc.), of conjunctions (however, although etc.).

Question 6

Complex

Answer 6

Complicated, not simple.

Question 7

Concrete

Answer 7

Relating to real or specific ideas or concepts. Lexis can be concrete, e.g. words for real objects like clothes, food, animals that can be seen or touched, or abstract, e.g. words to express thoughts, feelings, complex ideas, which cannot be seen or touched.

Question 8

Comprehension

Answer 8

Understanding a spoken or written text

Question 9

Context

Answer 9

1. The situation in which language is used or presented, e.g. a story about a holiday experience could be used as the context to present past tenses.
2. The words or phrases before or after a word in discourse which help someone to understand that word.

See deduce meaning from context.

Question 10

Discourse

Answer 10

Spoken or written language in texts or groups of sentences.

Question 11

Deduce meaning from context

Answer 11

To guess the meaning of an unknown word by using the information in a situation and/or around the word to help,

e.g. I drove my van to the town centre and parked it in the central car park.

Van must be some kind of vehicle because you drive it and park it.

Question 12

Develop skills

Answer 12

To help learners to improve their listening, reading, writing and speaking ability.

Teachers do this in class by providing activities which focus on skills development.

Question 13

Draft noun + verb

Answer 13

A draft is a piece of writing that is not yet finished, and may be changed. A writer drafts a piece of writing. That is, they write it for the first time but not exactly as it will be when it is finished. See re-draft.

Question 14

Edit

Answer 14

To shorten or change or correct the words or content of some parts of a written text to make it clearer or easier to understand.

Question 15

Extensive listening/reading

Answer 15

Listening to or reading long pieces of text, such as stories or newspapers. See intensive listening/reading.

Question 16

Extract

Answer 16

Part of a text which is removed from an original text.

Question 17

Fossilisation, fossilized errors

Answer 17

The process in which incorrect language becomes a habit and cannot easily be corrected.

Question 18

Infer attitude, feeling, mood

Answer 18

To decide how a writer or speaker feels about something from the way that they speak or write, rather than from what they openly say.

Question 19

Integrated skills

Answer 19

An integrated skills lesson combines work on reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Question 20

Intensive listening/reading

Answer 20

One meaning of intensive listening/reading is reading or listening to focus on how language is used in a text. This is how intensive listening/reading is used in TKT.

Question 21

Interaction (noun), interact (verb), interactive strategies

Answer 21

Interaction is ‘two-way communication’ between listener and speaker, or reader and text. Interactive strategies are the means used, especially in speaking, to keep people involved and interested in what is said or to keep communication going, e.g. eye contact, use of gestures, functions such as repeating, asking for clarification.

Question 22

Key word

Answer 22

A word in a piece of discourse or text, which is important for understanding the text.

Question 23

Layout

Answer 23

The way in which a text is organised and presented on a page. Certain texts have special layouts, e.g. letters and newspaper articles.