Writing Dialogues

Writing Dialogues
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Once you feel that your students have acquired sufficient grammar, it’s time to let them try writing their own dialogues.

I believe the first step is to have them read a lot of teacher-prepared dialogues on various situations. Have them note the grammatical structure of the sentences, the question forms used, the expressions, as well as the verbs and adjectives.

It’s a good idea to have them read over some of these dialogues before they sit down to write one of their own. (Keep all teacher-prepared dialogues together in their loose-leaf binder, along with the other Divisions.)

Now the teacher has more than one way of stimulating the writing of dialogues.

1) She can use the Magazine Photos (showing action). Remember to write some appropriate verbs and vocabulary on the back of the photo card, to get them started. These cards give them a “push in the right direction”.

2) Again the teacher has some work to do preparing Dialogue Cards. On each card she will write a suggested theme for the dialogue along with information that can be used.

Ex: An Invitation

Susan invites Janet to her parents’ 25th Anniversary Party.

... on May 12th … at 7pm ... at Susan’s house

Directions to get to Susan’s house: Take the Expressway to the Green Avenue Exit, then turn right on Adams Street. Her address is 233 Adams Street, opposite the Town Library.

Let her know by next Sunday if she can come. She can bring a friend.

Ex: A Telephone Conversation

Invite a friend to your house.

Talk about your summer plans (Where, When, How, Who with?)

Try to include these expressions: I can’t wait...

You’re kidding!

How come…?

Great!

I’m not sure…

Probably you’re right!

I believe it’s necessary to guide your students in this independent writing activity. Tell them not to worry about making errors. At first they will have some difficulties, but it’s only natural that they do.

You’re probably saying, “Oh, my God, I have to correct all of these!!!!”
Well, you do!!! But here again you can perhaps find a way.

Let the excellent students help you by making the first corrections. (Who knows, you may have a future English teacher in the class!) then of course, it’s your turn to correct .

Try using a Green pen for corrections. (Green, the colour of hope!) Red, is so RED!!!!

Once corrected, advise your students to type them up and keep a copy. Before you know it, they will be improving. The more they attempt writing independently, the better! It’s a giant step towards “conversation”

A Nice Thought:

“Take chances, make mistakes. That is how you grow!”