ELT365 · Day 185 — Transactional and interactional speaking

Idea — Speaking serves two broad purposes: transactional (getting something done — buying, asking directions) and interactional (building rapport — chat, small talk). Learners need practice in both.

Example — Ordering coffee is transactional; chatting about the weather while you wait is interactional.

Try — Plan one task of each type this week. Notice that small talk often feels harder for learners than transactions.

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