Principles and Practices of Oral Communication

This is the only book based on the ‘appraisal’ theory (evaluative language) that has been applied in a casual conversation context. The appraisal theory has recently been formulated within the interpersonal meaning framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics. This book outlines the newly emerged theory and then applies it to the evaluative expressions that end in ‘Y’ (e.g. fussy, cranky, quirky, etc.). Sook Hee (Susan) Lee was born in South Korea and migrated to Australia in 1991. She spent 20 years learning English yet she came to realize that despite having a deep knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar, she didn’t know real colloquial English. She observed that native English speakers love to use ‘Y’ ending expressions in everyday life situations, and came to suspect that there is a widespread deficiency in the way that English is taught. After completing a Master’s course in TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) at the University of Wollongong, and a PhD in TESOL at the University of Sydney, her suspicion was confirmed when she conducted a survey targeting adult ESL students. The results indicated that the vast majority of the international students surveyed barely knew the expressions that end in ‘Y’.

In this book you will learn one of the most innovative and yet simple approaches to teaching casual conversation as well as discovering exceptionally useful teaching materials. ESL/EFL learners will learn the ‘secret’ of real expressions that native English speakers use in everyday life situations.

“This is a quirky, interesting, playful book…It expresses the exceptional talent that Dr Susan Lee has for introducing her passion for systemic functional linguistics into very practical, very amusing language learning activities for those learning English as a second or foreign language…Principles and Practices of Oral Communication shows how a powerful linguistic theory can be used to produce effective and enjoyable language learning experiences. This is an important book by a truly scholarly teacher who has drawn on her own experience as an English language learner to empower all who read this work.”

Len Unsworth

Professor in English and Literacies Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia

“This book will be very useful for teachers and learners alike. The author has identified a very interesting area of language that will make users sound more natural and takes their vocabulary to places most coursebooks have previously ignored.”

Richard Pincus

Head of teaching at the Embassy Language Centre, Sydney, Australia