Title: How to politely address others

Lesson plan elaborated by: Monika Spławska‑Murmyło

Topic

On the principles of good manners every day.

Target group

7th‑grade students of an eight‑year elementary school.

Core curriculum

II. Language education.

2. Differentiation of language. Student:

2) uses the official and unofficial variation of Polish language;

3) uses a style appropriate to the communication situation;

4) adapts the way of expressing oneself to the intended purpose of the statement.

3. Language communication and language culture. Student:

2) identifies the sender and recipient of the speech;

3) defines the communication situation and understands its impact on the shape of the statement.

III. Creating statements.

1. Elements of rhetoric. Student:

3) creates a logical, semantically complete and orderly statement, applying the composition and graphic layout appropriate to the given form; understands the role of paragraphs in creating the whole of a mental expression;

4) selects information;

5) distinguishes and indicates the means of persuasion, understands their function.

2. Speaking and writing. Student:

6) distinguishes contemporary forms of messages (eg e‑mail, SMS) and uses them appropriately, keeping the language label rules;

IV. Self‑study. Student:

3. uses information from various sources, collects messages, and selects information;

4. uses general Polish and special dictionaries as well as a dictionary of literary terms.

General aim of education

Educating the need for a cultural expression in everyday life.

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• learning to learn;

• communication in the mother tongue;

• social and civic competences.

Operational goals

Student:

• uses the vocabulary associated with the label;

• applies correct polite phrases;

• uses the right addressable phrases;

• uses appropriate formulas beginning and ending correspondence.

Methods/techniques

• expository

  • talk.

• activating

  • discussion;

  • drama.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Lesson plan overview (Process)

Introduction

1. The teacher states the subject of the lesson, explains the aim of the lesson and together with students determines the success criteria to be achieved.

2. The teacher asks the students if they know what savoir‑vivre is, then explains that it is a code of conduct for cultural people in specific places, situations. He/she starts the conversation about the situations when the knowledge of the rules of behaviour is useful (e.g. in correspondence)..

Realization

1. The teacher asks the students to play a game. The teacher divides the students into groups and assigns roleplays to be staged by the groups.
   Group 1: greeting of bride and groom by parents and guests;
   Group 2: greeting of guests at the official reception;
   Group 3: greeting of the audience to the theatre premiere;
   Group 4: greeting of students to the school during the school year start academy.

2. Presentation of roleplays. Evaluation according to the following criteria:

   • interest of viewers

   • idea for a staging

   • active participation of all participants

   • a correctly presented greeting act

3. The teacher pays attention to the word Witam, Witamy. He/she asks the students if they use this phrase to start an e‑mail correspondence. The teacher explains that this is not the correct phrase to be used in this context.

4. Common reading of the educational material in the abstract along with the teacher's explanation. Analysis of the interactive illustration and presented principles.

5. Students do exercises 1 and 3. The teacher checks the correctness of the exercises and provides feedback.

Summary

1. The teacher chooses one student by random method and asks him or her to explain in own words the meaning of a given word or concept learned during the lesson.

2. The teacher asks students questions to sum up, e.g.

   • Why do we need a savoir‑vivre?

   • What is a language etiquette?

   • What addressative forms do we use in the official letter?

   • How should we finish the official letter?

Homework

1. Listen to the abstract recording at home. Pay attention to pronunciation, accent and intonation. Learn to pronounce the words learned during the lesson.

2. Write an official letter on any subject in which you will apply the forms of address proposed during this lesson.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

How to address others politely

Conduct in various communication situations is a manifestation of awareness of the principles of courtesy or savoir‑vivre – cultural norms of conduct in society. Courtesy is also expressed through language, for example in such phrases as „Good Morning”. The use of specific phrases is associated with language etiquette – it depends on the context and circumstances (official, solemn, unofficial, everyday situations) in which these phrases are used. Every culture develops its typical patterns of conduct and communication standards.

In Polish culture, language etiquette includes several important principles: interest in the recipient, adapting our expression to the recipient's social role and age, responding to greeting, attention to graphic design and composition of writing, etc.

Official texts should usually begin with the forms of address that are useful primarily in traditional and electronic letters. Such forms as „Dear Madam” or „Dear Sir” are always followed by a verb in the third person singular, and the form „Dear Sirs” requires the use of a verb in the third person plural. Similar rules also apply to phrases used when addressing older people.

Official texts should usually open with forms of address. Find below examples of such phrases.

How should recipients be addressed in different social situations?

How to open a letter?

How to close a letter?