Communicative English 1 Handbook

A Comprehensive English Reference Book

COMMUNICATIVE

1ENGLISH

HANDBOOK

MELISSAMEKLHISOSRA KSHUOARNSUCAHNICNH1IN

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH 1
HANDBOOK

MELISSA KHOR SUAN CHIN

POLITEKNIK KOTA BHARU

I

Published and printed by:
General Studies Department
Politeknik Kota Bharu
KM. 24, Kok Lanas,
16450 Ketereh, Kelantan.

Product

First Edition 2021
© Melissa Khor Suan Chin

All rights reserved. No part of publication may be reproduced, stored in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without
prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Melissa Khor Suan Chin
Product / Melissa Khor Suan Chin

II

Preface

Communicative English 1 Handbook is specially tailored for all polytechnic students. This
book is also written as a booster to help English language learners who wish to improve their
communicative skills. Thus, by mastering the skills, hopefully they will be able to excel in this
international language.

What makes reading this book worthy of your time is that it is specially
designed in compliance with the latest English syllabus prescribed for polytechnics in
Malaysia. Most importantly, this book focuses on the effective speaking skills techniques,
complemented by examples which are stepping stones towards empowering young learners
to communicate effectively in social situations, group discussions, as well as oral
presentations.

In addition, activities and discussions have been put forth in various methods
and styles to arouse the learners’ interest and motivate them as they tackle different
challenges. Activities have been designed to cater to learners of different language and
learning abilities.

Much thought has been put into the preparation of the reader-friendly notes
and useful tips in an engaging manner to equip the learners with sufficient information about
the topics covered. Learners will easily understand and remember the precise explanations
on each topic. These notes will definitely come in handy when the learners prepare for their
group discussions and oral presentations as well.

III

The Author

The author was born in 1981 in Kota Bharu,

Kelantan. She received her primary

education in Tumpat and pursued her

secondary education in Kota Bharu before

continuing her tertiary education at

Universiti Sains Malaysia.

After acquiring her basic degree in Bachelor of Arts in
Education (Hons.2006). In 2007, she began her teaching
career as an English lecturer at Politeknik Kota Bharu,
Kelantan for three years. Then, she decided to improve her
academic qualification and completed her Masters Degree
in Applied Linguistics in 2012. At present, she is still in the
English Language Unit of the Department of General Studies
in Politeknik Kota Bharu and has been appointed as the
Communicative English 1 course coordinator since June
2020.

IV

Contents PAGES
TOPICS
Title I
Copyright II
Preface III
The Author IV
Contents V

TOPIC 1: SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS 1
Discussions and conversations 2
Make interruptions politely 9
Suggestions and counter suggestions 10
Activity 17

TOPIC 2: READING SKILLS 21
Understanding of current issues / topics of interest 22
Activity 30
Meaning and types of stimulus 31
Write in response to a stimulus 32
Detailed planning and drafting 34
Discussion 36
Use appropriate vocabulary to describe/ depict values 46
Idioms and proverbs related to values 48
Activity 55

TOPIC 3: ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS 64
Presentation Introduction 66
Non-verbal Communication Skills 79
Presentation Closing 83
Activity 87

References 88 V

TOPIC 1:

SOCIAL AND
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS

1

What Is a Group Discussion?

"Discussion is an exchange of knowledge;
argument an exchange of ignorance.“
- Robert Quillen

➢A saying true to every word. There is a difference between
discussion and argument, and since we are literate, we
should always favour discussion.

➢A group discussion involves a discussion on a given topic
with other candidates, usually with similar experience and
educational qualifications.

➢A group discussion is a discussion between a group of
participants on a given subject.

2

Reasons for having ➢ Performing well in a
discussion group discussion helps
you to get noticed.

➢ It improves your public
speaking skills.

➢ It helps you to
understand a subject
more deeply.

➢ It improves your ability
to think critically.

➢ Give chance to hear
other students’ ideas.

➢ Improve listening skills
and increase confidence
in speaking.

3

DISCUSSION

INITIATING MAINTAINING CLOSING

4

How to initiate
discussion

❑ Shall we start?
❑We are here to discuss…
❑We are here to focus on the

issue at hand which is…
❑Right, let’s begin.
❑Excuse me, would you like to

start first?
❑Excuse me, can we discuss

the topic now?

5

How to maintain
discussion

❑ What do you think?
❑How about you?
❑How do you feel about that?
❑What are your views

regarding…
❑Any ideas on that?
❑Would you like to comment on

this?

6

How to close
discussion

❑ Thanks for coming.
❑ Thanks for the

interesting
discussion.
❑ Thanks for a fruitful
and stimulating
discussion.

7

Useful o Agreeing: You're absolutely right about that.
phrases
used in o Disagreeing: I'm sorry, I don't see it that way at all.
discussions
o Interrupting: Sorry, do you mind if I say something
here?

o Dealing with interruptions: Could I just finish what
I'm saying?

o Asking for an explanation: Would you mind telling
us what exactly you mean by that?

o Asking for more information: Would you mind
saying a little bit more about that?

o Adding more information: Another point I'd like to
make is...

8

Make Interruptions Politely

•TomI dheeaetlitevinetgor aeinamtreleyrs.rusapgteb:ut I wanted to let you know I have to leave the
• II’mdosno’tsmorerayntotoinbteerrruudpet, bbuutt…may I interrupt?
•

To end a conversation
• sIOdw’hmaohoyr!rt!kSte.loryIr’rimarbynlyvdteosmroiynurrtssyeotrrtgrroueytpi.nBtgtobeuirutnrtiugtIp.wjItutayswstoagunsrobewtuaictotecnIdhdhateahtrvtefeiuntltgiomtowbesietaehnaetydyowoIuonu.re. kHedfaovtroeagamenteicteoeting
•

T••• ocIIS’omadosrorrkrsneyo’actttsoqmloyuire.neraytsnetfirotorournpibnotetrberturuortducmepla,tabriyniufgyItabIs’suodktmlaiIk’edqethultiikioncekgat:sqokumaesaqtkuioeenss?tuioren.I understood you

To join a conversation or express your opinion:
• SoEMonxacstyuhosIirseraytdmodteposibcion.umtteemrtrhuaiypntgI bjquuumticpbkeilnfyo?hreerwe?e move on, I’d like to add my thoughts
•
•

9

Make Suggestions
and

Counter Suggestions

10

Polite Expressions

• I would like to know more about your family.
• I hope you don’t mind telling me the details about the trip to

Osaka, Japan.
• Would you mind telling us how you feel about your online

shopping experience?
• Would it be all right if I ask you to accompany me to the store?
• May I know if the company has branches in Malacca?
• Could you tell me the direction to your house?
• Would you like to have coffee or tea?
• Which of these roads shall I travel to go to the beach?
• Can you tell me how to get to the nearest petrol station?

11

Common Phrases Used to Give
Suggestions

• Why don’t …?
• How about…(-ing)…?
• What about...(-ing)…?
• What if…?
• Let’s…
• You could…
• You should…
• It might be a good idea to…

12

Common Phrases Used to Counter
Suggestions

• I’d rather…
• I’d prefer…
• How about … instead?
• What about … instead?
• Why don’t we …. instead?
• I appreciate your opinion but …

13

Example 1: I’m so tired

• Why don’t you continue your
work tomorrow?

• How about having some rest?
• What about finishing the work

tomorrow?
• What if we finish work early

today?
• Let’s go back early today.
• You could take some rest.
• You should let me drive you

home.
• It might be a good idea to go

home now.

14

Example 2: I’m too fat

• Why don’t you lose some
weight?

• How about losing some
weight?

• What about cutting down on
your diet?

• What if you try to control your
diet?

• Let’s go to the gym together.

• You could exercise more often.

• You should watch what you
eat.

• It might be a good idea to lose
a few kilos.

15

Example 3: I have a fever 16
• Why don’t you go and see the
doctor?
• How about taking some
medicine?
• What about visiting the
doctor?
• What if I accompany you to see
the doctor?
• Let’s go to the clinic.
• You could go to the hospital.
• You should let me bring you to
the hospital.
• It might be a good idea to go to
the clinic now.

Activity

Situation :The class is going to have a party

in conjunction with Hari Raya.

17

Instructions:
Provide suggestions and counter suggestions for each of the
following items. Refer to the example given.

Day / Date Example

Suggestion→ Why don’t we have it on next Sunday,
which is the fourth day of Raya?

Counter Suggestion→ What about having it on Monday
instead ? This is because most of
the students will not be here on
Sunday.

18

Day / Date
Funding / Budget
Food & Drinks

19

Activities during the party
Door Gifts
Work Delegation

20

READINGTOPIC 2:
SKILLS

21

Current issues /
topics of interest

• Causes OR • Advantages
• Effects • Disadvantages
• Solutions

22

Bullying

23

24

CAUSES OF BULLYING

• Want to get noticed
• They like having power over the peers
• They have problems at home
• Think it's cool and funny
• Aggressive personality
• Lack of adult supervision
• Jealousy
• Revenge
• Take their feelings out on others

25

EFFECTS • Low self-confidence
OF • Self-harming behaviour, or

BULLYING suicide attempts
• Abnormal fears and worries
• Not sleeping as well, or suddenly

starting to have nightmares or
night terrors
• Being more worried or anxious,
or starting to have panic attacks.

26

EFFECTS • Unexplained cuts and bruises, or
OF damaged possessions with no
explanation
BULLYING
• Appearing to be low or depressed
• Frequent crying
• Poor appetite or digestive

problems
• Rage

27

SOLUTIONS

• Peer support-Start building friendship skills
• Build self-esteem-help victim feel good about

themselves
• Learn self-defense-for protection
• Get counselling for all parties
• Buddy system-develop support through an

older or larger child

28

SOLUTIONS

• Instill good values early-respectfulness, confidence,
compassion, courage and tolerance.

• Take care of yourself-stay near other people.
• Enforce clear rules and policies-suspended or even

expelled.
• Increase adult supervision in hot spots area-install

CCTV.

29

What are the types pollution and what are the effects
on the environment and on the people?

30

Meaning of stimulus
•Stimulus: Something that causes and
encourages a given response.
•-Something that can spark your
imagination or ideas to write.

31

Types of stimulus

• Pictures and paintings
• Photographs
• Movie clips and animations
• Poetry
• Quotes
• Stories and extracts from books
• Scripts and plays
• Letters and diaries
• Objects
• Questions to discuss
• Newspaper articles
• Controversial statements
• Scenario cards
• Start or end paragraphs from a story

32

Writing in response to a stimulus

• Jot down any ideas that pops up into your mind.
• Write down every idea you can think of (descriptive words and

phrases, lines of argument, facts and figures etc.) associated
with your planned response.
• Decide which idea works best for you.
• Ensure your planned response links clearly to the theme and the
stimulus piece;
• Jot down the generic structure of your planned response.
• Aim to decide what your response will be.

33

Detailed planning and drafting

• Write a detailed plan of your response:
✓ - the more detailed the better.
✓ -use brainstorming technique.
✓ -organize your thoughts into logical sequence.
✓ -use different headings to separate the ideas.
✓-use a variety of sequence connectors to link ideas.
✓-support your ideas with relevant examples.

• To get a clearer picture, write detailed notes and descriptions
under each section to show how your response will progress.

34

DISCUSSION:
RESPONDING TO STIMULUS

35

SOCIAL ISSUES

36

Discussion

Discuss one of the social issues from the stimuli
Consider the following:
Is it a problem in this country?
What is its impact on society?
What are the possible solutions?
Add any new ideas and vocabulary to the mind map.

37

Describe the stimuli…..

38

Based on the stimulus given answer
these questions…….

• What is the issue portrayed in the picture?
• Why do you think this situation/problem
happened?
• How would you feel if you find that your little
brother or sister is involved with the issue above?
• Give ONE best action to save your family.

39

Based on the stimulus given, answer
these questions…….

• Do y• oDuoaygorueaegwreiethwtithhethsetastteamteemnetn?tJ?ustify your choice.

“cigarettes should be banned”

40

• Identify TWO causes of the issue.
• State TWO serious effects of the issue?
• In your opinion, give TWO solutions to
overcome the issue. Elaborate your suggestion
by giving relevant examples.

41

What do you see?

42

SOLUTIONS: TYPES:
▪ Develop new parenting skills ▪ Emotional child abuse
▪ Physical child abuse
▪ Get professional help
▪ Learn how to manage your ▪ Child neglect
▪ Sexual abuse
emotion, stress and anger
▪ Learn what is age appropriate

and what is not

CHILD
ABUSE

EFFECTS ON THE VICTIM: CAUSES:
▪ Fearful of physical contact ▪ Lack of parenting skills
▪ Startles easily, cringes, flinches ▪ Young and unexperienced parent
▪ Stress and lack of support
▪ Aggressiveness ▪ Under the influence of alcohol or
▪ Withdrawn
drugs
▪ Difficulties at school ▪ Domestic violence
▪ Profound sadness ▪ Untreated mental illness

▪ Has trust issue

43

Deforestation

The clearing or thinning
of forests by humans.

44