Portuguese Year 4: Guided conversation: turns, time and roles
Portuguese, Year 4 (Portugal): Ask for and take the floor, keep to each person's speaking time and play the role you were given in a guided conversation, like a class assembly.
Rules and roles
In a guided conversation, such as a class assembly, there are rules and roles. The moderator gives the floor to one person at a time. The timekeeper signals when the speaking time ends. The reporter notes what was decided. Participants ask for the floor, listen, link what they say to what others said and keep to the agreed time, for example one minute each.
Without rules, the loudest voice wins
When everyone speaks at once, nobody understands anything, and the strongest voice wins. Rules give everyone the same speaking time. Each role has a job: the moderator looks after the turns, the timekeeper after the time and the reporter after the group's memory. And linking what you say to what someone else said shows you listened and moves the conversation forward instead of going round in circles.
A class assembly about break time
The class talks about break time. Step 1: roles: Rita is moderator, Tomás keeps time (one minute each), Inês is reporter. Step 2: Rui raises his hand and waits until Rita says «Rui, podes falar» (“Rui, you can speak”). Step 3: he links up: «Concordo com a Ana, porque…» (“I agree with Ana, because…”). Step 4: when Tomás signals, Rui ends with his main idea. Step 5: Inês reads out what was agreed.
Asking for the floor is not speaking right away
Many people raise a hand and speak straight away, or think the speaking time stretches if the idea is good. But the floor is given by whoever moderates, and the time belongs to everyone. Do this: wait to be given your turn (do not interrupt), start with your most important idea and, if the time runs out halfway, close with one sentence and ask for the floor again later.
Class assembly, team and family
You use this in the class assembly, in group work, in a meeting of your sports team and at the family table when there are many voices. You ask for the floor, listen, keep to the time and link what you say to what others said. This way everyone is heard and the group reaches a decision faster.
Test what you learned
In a guided conversation, what is the moderator's job?
- a) To decide who is right
- b) To give the floor to one person at a time
- c) To speak more often than the others
- d) To write down every word each person says
Correct answer: b) To give the floor to one person at a time — Yes: that is what lets everyone be heard, one at a time.
You are halfway through your idea and the timekeeper signals that your minute is over. What is the best thing to do?
- a) Carry on until I finish, because the idea is good
- b) Speak faster to fit everything in
- c) Close with one sentence and ask for the floor again later
- d) Get cross and say nothing more all afternoon
Correct answer: c) Close with one sentence and ask for the floor again later — Yes: you respect the time and keep the chance to say the rest on your next turn.
Ana has her hand up, but the moderator has not given her the floor yet and Rui is still speaking. Ana says “Now!” and starts. Why is that a mistake?
- a) Because asking for the floor does not give it: you wait until the moderator gives you your turn
- b) Because Ana should never speak in the assembly
- c) Because Rui is always right
- d) Because she should have raised both hands
Correct answer: a) Because asking for the floor does not give it: you wait until the moderator gives you your turn — Yes: the raised hand asks; it is the moderator who gives the floor. And Rui has the right to finish.
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