The purpose of the oral presentation was to discuss the speech communities and their influence on people’s second language study. The central issue was to introduce the very notion of speech communities and different opinions of the classmates to the issue. The topic was chosen not by chance, as the understanding of the speech communities is rather important in the educational process.
Language is the notion that makes people different and this difference may somehow provide some barrier to second language learning. The fanatic consideration of language, as the difference between people, makes their lives aim to an everyday search of domination among the others, what an absurd is, and measures people’s lives against this false norm. Speech communities influence people’s identity and an idea of style, understanding of personal uniqueness and value, but should not be the barrier in their communication and further life.
The presentation of the research paper on the offered topic was developed by four students, two Chinese and two Taiwanese. The language and cultural differences made the task easy to understand and provide. Moreover, no additional investigations should have been provided as the personal experience was our main data for analysis. The personal experience was shared, the variety of backgrounds of language study was analyzed, as even speaking the same native language, Chinese, the diversity was different, what is promoted by different countries of birth. The presentation time was on Monday morning, week seven. The place for presentation, outside the class, was chosen with considerations to avoid classroom pressure.
The presentation was started with the definition of the speech community, its peculiarities, and function. This part of the presentation was influenced by two factors, first, I tried to make my language sound academically and used some scholarly terms in the description, second, English is my second language, and the speech was rather confused. Watching the reaction of the groupmates, it was noticed that not all students understood the main point of the conversation.
Using some complicated terms and issues, I did not take into account that the level of my knowledge did not allow me to operate such language easily. The lecturer tried to join the conversation to help. Moreover, nervousness and stress were also the bothers on the way of explanation. Having tried to deliver the information to other students, I was more confused and confounded and could complete the presentation properly.
Analyzing the presentation, it became understood that the next time simple language should be used and personal thoughts, instead of the journal opinions and complicated terms. The level of my language is not so high to be able to speak profoundly and easily operate with terms and notions. I suppose, that using my personal opinion could make the presentation conversation flow smoothly and without confusion. The after-presentation feedbacks from my classmates were useful, as some of my mistakes were noticed. Furthermore, the very theme was supported as students also understand that the speech communities’ understanding will make the educational process easier for teachers, who will know the foreign students’ thoughts, and more exciting for students as their interests would be met.
In conclusion, different backgrounds of culture and language are dissimilar. Sociolinguistics is an interesting course, because it may help students to understand language variety forms and concepts such as speech community. Thus, the speech community is an absorbing topic for discussion.