Unit 4 Functions

FUNCTIONS

This unit is about functions. A function is a reason why people communicate or express with them (Spratt M., Pulverness A. & Willians M., 2011). It means that everything that we say has a purpose. We are going to find different kinds of functions such as greeting, clarifying between others. Also, I learned that functions are a way how we use a language.

We normally use functions through exponents. Moreover, an exponent can express different levels of formality (formality, neutral, informality) according to the situation in which we are. For example, with friends, we should use informal language because there is confidence. If we are talking with our teacher or boss, we should use a formal language. And finally, if we are talking to our siblings, we can use a neutral language. In other words, we choose to use the level of formality according to the situation. Also, we can choose what is appropriate or inappropriate in each situation.

I think that function is something we as future teachers are going to use every day in class so the best way to teach it is asking students to do some exercises in a writing or speaking way. For example, ask students to write formal letters (it means they are going to select the correct vocabulary) or maybe ask students to make a role play and the topic could be  introducing yourself (here, they are going to use a neutral language). Those are good examples to teach functions in our classroom. Moreover, I could provide my students a wide variety of opportunities to practice grammar and vocabulary related to functions.

VIDEO : It is about Functional Approach 

WEBSITE: Here you can find more information about Functions of Language and some activities about it.

https://sites.educ.ualberta.ca/staff/olenka.bilash/Best%20of%20Bilash/functionsof%20lang.html 

SOURCES:

Spratt M., Pulverness A. & Willians M. (2011). The TKT course.Modules 1,2,3. United Kingdom: Cambridge university Press.

YouTube. (2018). Functional Approach - Adip Rohadi. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZjmGPZK6u4 [Accessed 22 Apr. 2018].

Sites.educ.ualberta.ca. (2018). Functions of Language. [online] Available at: https://sites.educ.ualberta.ca/staff/olenka.bilash/Best%20of%20Bilash/functionsof%20lang.html [Accessed 22 Apr. 2018].