Effective Communication • Quarter 1 • Lesson 3 • Day 1
Day 1: Activate Prior Knowledge
KWL on Talk Shows & Real Conversations (Conversation Strategies + Politeness Markers)
What we’ll do today
Today you will start Lesson 3 by looking at something familiar: talk shows and everyday conversations. You will use a KWL chart to: (1) list what you already know, (2) write questions you genuinely want to answer, and (3) prepare yourself for the next days where you will observe and practice conversation strategies and politeness markers.
By the end of Day 1, you can…
- Describe what makes a talk show conversation smooth, interesting, or awkward.
- Share examples of what speakers do to keep a conversation going.
- Identify polite words/phrases people use to show respect or soften disagreement.
- Create a strong KWL chart that we will revisit on Day 5.
What you need
- Notebook or printed KWL page (provided below).
- Pen.
- (Optional) A short talk show clip (1–3 minutes) or a short scripted dialogue.
Important: Today is not a test. This is a “start line.” Your goal is to be honest about what you know, and curious about what you don’t know yet.
Quick concepts (student-friendly)
1) What is a talk show conversation?
A talk show (or interview) is a public conversation. It usually has a host and a guest. The host leads the direction using questions and follow-up questions. The guest answers, explains, tells stories, or gives opinions. Sometimes there is an audience, sometimes the talk happens online (podcasts, livestreams), and sometimes it’s a school or community interview.
Talk show conversations look casual, but they are often purposeful and structured. They can be funny, serious, emotional, or argumentative—but the best ones still follow “conversation skills” that keep the talk understandable.
2) What are conversation strategies?
Conversation strategies are the moves people use to keep a conversation going smoothly. They help speakers: start a topic, continue it, change it, clarify meaning, fix misunderstandings, and end politely.
Example (simple): When someone asks, “What do you mean?” and you explain again, that is a strategy. When the host says, “Let’s go back to your earlier point,” that is a strategy.
3) What are politeness markers?
Politeness markers are words, phrases, or speaking habits that show respect and reduce tension. They help you sound considerate even when you disagree, correct someone, or ask sensitive questions.
Examples you may already know: “po/opo,” “excuse me,” “please,” “thank you,” “with respect,” “I understand,” “May I ask…,” “If it’s okay with you…”
Big idea: Strong speakers don’t just “talk a lot.” They use smart strategies and polite language to manage the flow of conversation—especially in public conversations like talk shows.
Warm-up: Talk Show Recall (5–7 minutes)
Think of any talk show, interview, podcast, livestream, news interview, or school program interview you have watched or listened to. If you don’t watch talk shows, that’s okay—think of any situation where one person asks questions and another person answers (for example: job interview, scholarship interview, student leader interview, clinic interview, guidance interview, or even a parent–teacher conversation).
Answer these in your notebook
- What is one interview/talk show you remember (or one interview situation you experienced)?
- What made the conversation interesting or easy to follow?
- What made the conversation awkward or tense (if any)?
Recommendation: Keep your answers real. Use your own words. We will translate your ideas into formal communication skills later in the week.
Optional viewing/listening: 1–3 minute stimulus
If your teacher provides a short clip or reads a short interview script, your job is simple: notice what the speakers do to keep the conversation smooth and respectful. Don’t worry about “perfect terms” yet.
What to notice (quick checklist)
- How does the host start the topic?
- How does the host keep the guest talking (follow-up questions)?
- How do they react when they disagree?
- What polite words/phrases do you hear?
- How do they end or shift to a new topic?
If there is no video
No problem. You can still do the KWL using your own experience with conversations. Talk shows are only an example. The skills work in real life—school, home, online chats, and community conversations.
Recommendation: If you don’t have a clip, your teacher may do a “mini talk show” with two volunteers using a short script.
Main Task: KWL Chart (Know • Want to Know • Learned)
The KWL chart is your learning map. Today you will complete the K and W columns. On Day 5 you will return and complete the L column.
Minimum requirements: K = at least 6 items. W = at least 5 questions. L = leave blank for now.
KWL Instructions (Individual)
- K (What I Know): Write what you believe you already know about talk shows and conversations.
- W (What I Want to Know): Write real questions. Prefer “How…” and “Why…” questions, not yes/no questions.
- L (What I Learned): Leave this blank today. You will fill it after you practice strategies and politeness markers later this week.
Strong K statements look like this
- “The host usually asks follow-up questions to keep the guest talking.”
- “Interrupting too much can make a speaker look rude or defensive.”
- “Speakers sometimes change the topic when a question is uncomfortable.”
- “Being polite can include tone, not just words.”
- “Some guests answer indirectly to protect themselves.”
- “Words like ‘please’ and ‘excuse me’ help lower tension.”
Strong W questions look like this
- “How do you disagree without sounding disrespectful?”
- “How do hosts ask sensitive questions without offending the guest?”
- “How do you recover when you misspeak or say something wrong?”
- “How do you return to the main topic when the conversation goes off-track?”
- “Why do some speakers avoid direct answers, and how should the host respond?”
Printable KWL Template
You may copy this into your notebook or use the print button. If printing is not possible, write the headings and lines on paper.
K — What I Know
W — What I Want to Know
L — What I Learned (Day 5)
Question Starters (use these to improve your W column)
- How do speakers keep a conversation going when it starts to feel awkward?
- How do you politely interrupt when you really need to speak?
- How do you change the topic without sounding rude?
- How do you ask follow-up questions that make answers clearer?
- How do you show you are listening even if you are not speaking?
- Why do people misunderstand each other in conversations?
- Why do some speakers answer indirectly instead of directly?
- How do politeness markers reduce conflict during disagreement?
- How do you correct someone respectfully?
- How do you end a conversation smoothly?
Recommendation: If your W questions are too general (example: “How to talk better?”), rewrite them to be more specific: “How do I ask follow-up questions that show I’m listening?”
Group Task: Build a Class KWL (10–15 minutes)
After you finish your individual KWL, your class may combine ideas in small groups (4–6 members). This matters because conversations are social. Different people notice different things. When you combine ideas, you build a stronger picture of what “good conversation” looks like.
Group rules (simple but powerful)
- Everyone contributes at least 1 item in K and 1 question in W.
- Choose your group’s Top 3 K (most important ideas).
- Choose your group’s Top 3 W (most useful questions).
- Write clearly. Your group output should be readable from a distance.
Recommended group roles
- Facilitator: keeps the group focused and ensures everyone speaks.
- Recorder: writes the final group KWL neatly.
- Timekeeper: watches time and moves the group forward.
- Reporter: shares Top 3 K and Top 3 W to the class.
Recommendation: If your group has many similar K ideas, don’t repeat them. Combine them into one clearer statement. Example: “Hosts ask questions” + “Hosts guide the topic” → “Hosts guide the conversation by choosing questions and topics.”
Politeness Marker Bank (starter list)
You will study politeness markers more deeply later, but it helps to start collecting them now. Below is a bank of expressions that many speakers use to show respect, soften strong opinions, or reduce tension. You do not need to memorize everything today. Use this list to improve your K and W ideas.
Respect + permission
- “May I ask…?”
- “If it’s okay with you…”
- “Excuse me…”
- “Pakiusap…”
- “Po / opo”
Softening disagreement
- “I see your point, but…”
- “I understand, however…”
- “With respect…”
- “Maybe we can also consider…”
- “It might be possible that…”
Clarifying + repairing
- “Let me clarify…”
- “What I mean is…”
- “To be clear…”
- “Sorry, I misspoke…”
- “Can I rephrase that?”
Recommendation: Politeness is not only about words. Tone, timing, and facial expression matter too. But words are a strong start because you can practice them intentionally.
How to write better K and W entries (quality upgrade)
Many students can write KWL entries, but strong students write entries that are useful for learning. Use the recommendations below to upgrade your KWL so it truly helps you during Day 2–4 activities.
Upgrade your K (Know) statements
Weak K entries are too general. Strong K entries describe specific behaviors that can be observed.
Too general
- “Talk shows are fun.”
- “The host is good.”
- “Politeness is important.”
- “Conversation needs respect.”
Upgraded
- “Talk shows feel fun when the host asks follow-up questions that create stories.”
- “A good host signals turn-taking by pausing and inviting the guest to answer.”
- “Politeness markers like ‘May I ask’ help sensitive questions sound less aggressive.”
- “Respect shows when speakers avoid insults, listen fully, and respond to ideas.”
Upgrade your W (Want to know) questions
Weak W questions are too broad or can be answered with “yes/no.” Strong W questions focus on skills you can practice.
Too broad / yes-no
- “How to talk better?”
- “Is politeness important?”
- “Are talk shows real?”
- “Can people be rude?”
Upgraded (skill questions)
- “How do I keep talking when my mind goes blank?”
- “How do politeness markers reduce conflict during disagreement?”
- “How do hosts confirm facts without embarrassing the guest?”
- “How can I correct someone respectfully when they share wrong information?”
Recommendation: If you want your W questions to help you later, write questions that your class can answer by watching, observing, practicing, and reflecting. Example: “How do you signal you’re listening?” can be answered by noticing and practicing behaviors like nodding, short responses, and follow-ups.
Mini self-check (Formative, not graded)
Use this quick self-check before you submit your KWL or before group sharing. If you can say “yes” to most of these, you did a strong Day 1.
Recommendation: If you checked fewer than three boxes, don’t panic. Just revise your KWL now. This is exactly why Day 1 exists—to start strong.
Closing: Exit Ticket (2–3 minutes)
Answer these quickly. Write honestly. Your answers help guide what your class will focus on next.
- Write one polite expression you use often (English or Filipino).
- Write one situation where you struggle to stay polite (example: when interrupted, when blamed, when pressured, when misunderstood).
- Write one W question you most want answered this week.
Preview: On Day 2, you’ll observe conversation strategies in action using a structured activity (like Talk Show Bingo). Your KWL questions will become the guide for what you watch and what you practice.
Why this matters beyond class (real-life payoff)
Conversation skills are not only for talk shows. They help you in situations that can affect your future: interviews, scholarship panels, oral defenses, group work, leadership roles, family discussions, and online communication. Many conflicts happen not because people are “bad,” but because people don’t know how to manage conversation flow and politeness under stress.
When you practice conversation strategies, you become better at: asking clear questions, listening actively, staying calm when challenged, and expressing opinions without damaging relationships. When you practice politeness markers, you become better at disagreeing respectfully and protecting your dignity and the other person’s dignity.
Recommendation: Keep your KWL chart in a safe place. You will return to it at the end of the week and you should see clear growth—especially in the “L” column.
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