Portuguese Year 3: Speaking clearly, in turn and politely
Portuguese, Year 3 (Portugal): A voice that can be heard, a turn that is waited for and a simple plan to explain something or tell a story.
Voice, turn and courtesy
Speaking well has three parts. Voice: you say whole words, open your mouth and use a voice that can be heard, without shouting. Turn: one person speaks at a time; you ask for the floor, wait, and do not interrupt. Courtesy: you say «por favor» (“please”), «obrigado» (“thank you”) and «desculpa» (“sorry”), even when you disagree. In a conversation you also cooperate: you say what is needed, no more and no less.
A conversation is teamwork
A listener only understands what reaches their ears whole: if you swallow the ends of words or speak too softly, the idea is lost. And if everyone talks at once, nobody understands anything, so we agree on a simple rule: one person speaks, the others listen. To explain what you know, or to tell a story with a beginning, a middle and an end, you also need your ideas in order before you open your mouth.
One minute about my cat
You will talk for one minute about your cat. 1) Plan: choose three ideas: what it looks like (grey fur), what it does (sleeps and plays with a ball of wool) and why you like it. 2) Rehearse: say it aloud, slowly. 3) Speak: start with «Vou falar do meu gato» (“I am going to talk about my cat”), give the ideas in order and finish with «Obrigado por ouvirem» (“Thank you for listening”). 4) Evaluate: Did they hear me? Did I say the three ideas? Did I wait for my turn?
Fast, and over the others
Many people think that speaking fast is speaking well, or that interrupting shows interest. But when you speak fast, the words stick together and the listener loses the thread. And when you interrupt, the other person loses the idea and you stop hearing the reply. Do this instead: breathe, speak slowly and, if you want to say something while another person is speaking, wait until they finish and ask for a turn: «Posso dizer uma coisa?» (“May I say something?”)
In the class circle and outside school
You use this in the class circle, when you present a piece of work, when you ask for help in a shop, when you phone your grandmother or when you tell the family about your day at the table. The recipe is always the same: think about what you will say, speak in a clear voice, wait for your turn and be kind to whoever listens. Afterwards, ask yourself how it went, so next time is even better.
Test what you learned
Which sentence describes speaking clearly?
- a) Speaking as fast as possible, to say everything
- b) Saying whole words, slowly, in a voice that can be heard
- c) Speaking very softly, so as not to disturb
- d) Speaking very loudly, almost shouting
Correct answer: b) Saying whole words, slowly, in a voice that can be heard — Yes: whole words, a calm pace and a voice that reaches the listener make you understood.
You will talk for one minute about your favourite animal. What is the best order to prepare?
- a) Rehearse aloud at once and only then choose the ideas
- b) Memorise a long text and say it without stopping
- c) Start talking and see what comes out
- d) Choose three ideas, rehearse, speak, then evaluate
Correct answer: d) Choose three ideas, rehearse, speak, then evaluate — Yes: plan, rehearse, speak, then check how it went. That is how you plan, produce and evaluate your own talk.
You have an idea, but a classmate is still speaking. What do you do?
- a) I wait until he finishes and ask for a turn: «Posso dizer uma coisa?» (“May I say something?”)
- b) I speak louder than him so that they hear me
- c) I speak fast, to finish before he speaks again
- d) I stop listening and rehearse my idea in my head
Correct answer: a) I wait until he finishes and ask for a turn: «Posso dizer uma coisa?» (“May I say something?”) — Yes: waiting shows respect, lets you hear what he says and gives your idea its own space.
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