THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 1 Worksheet

WEEK 1

Exercise 1: Self-Introduction
Introduce yourself to your tutor and your fellow classmates so that they can get to know you better. Each
student will be given about a minute – you are more than welcome to share as much or as little within that
minute. Information you will need to include in your introduction are:

a. Your name, were you’re from, and how long you’ve been in Melbourne
Vanessa, Indonesia, 3 years
b. Briefly explain how you found out about this subject and why you chose to do it
The handbook, needed to practice my English since the lockdown made me to speak less English
c. Share with the class two things you would like to achieve from this subject by the end of the semester
Confident in speaking in English, better fluency

Exercise 2a: Breath Management Exercise

Read the following sentence, gradually expanding on it, and see how far you get in one breath. This sentence is
taken from Malcolm Morrison’s book, ‘Clear Speech’.

I can

I can control

I can control my

I can control my breath

I can control my breath and

I can control my breath and sustain

I can control my breath and sustain my

© Mark Wong 2020
THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 1 Worksheet

I can control my breath and sustain my phrasing.

Exercise 2b: Breath Management Challenge

Read the following sentence, gradually expanding on it – see how far you get in one breath. Please do not force
the words or sounds out if you are already out of air. Breathe in and continue or restart from the beginning.

I am now working /

I am now working at an important exercise /

I am now working at an important exercise for breath support and breath control /

I am now working at an important exercise for breath support and breath control and my aim is
to control the breath easily /

I am now working at an important exercise for breath support and breath control and my aim is
to control the breath easily to the end of this long long sentence with ease and confidence /

I am now working at an important exercise for breath support and breath control and my aim is
to control the breath easily to the end of this long long sentence with ease and confidence and
then I will count to five – ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE /

I am now working at an important exercise for breath support and breath control and my aim is
to control the breath easily to the end of this long long sentence with ease and confidence and
then I will count to five – ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE – and there will still be some breath
left at the end to sigh out like thissssssss /

I am now working at an important exercise for breath support and breath control, and my aim is
to control the breath easily to the end of this long, long sentence with ease and confidence, and

© Mark Wong 2020

THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 1 Worksheet

then, I will count to five – ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE – and there will still be some
breath left at the end to sigh out like thissssssss.

Exercise 3: Introduction to Australian Slang and Expressions

Re-create the following conversation with a partner – be as expressive as you can!

A: G’day!

B: Oh, hello.

A: Everything alright, mate?

B: I’m trying to get to Queen Victoria Market, but my Google map is not working.

A: It’s not too far from here. I can walk you there if you like – I’m heading there as well.

B: Oh, yes, thank you!

A: No worries! Where’re you from?

B: I’m from Seoul, South Korea.

A: Oh, nice. How are you finding Melbourne?

B: I’m sorry?

A: How long have you been in Melbourne for?

B: Oh, only three months. I arrived in April.

A: Do you like Melbourne?

B: I love it! The coffee here is the best.

A: Ah, you’re a coffee-lover! You’re in right place, that’s for sure.

B: Coffee is my life. I’m training to be a barista.

A: Oh, good on ya, mate! That’s fantastic!

B: Coffee in Korea is good too, but Melbourne’s coffee is like, it’s too good!

© Mark Wong 2020

THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 1 Worksheet

A: Fair dinkum! Have you experienced an Aussie barbie?

B: Aussie barbie?

A: Yeah, it’s usually done outdoors. You get different types of grilled meat, booze …

B: Ah, you mean B-B-Q, right?

A: Yeh, exactly, Aussie-style barbecue.

B: I’m going to Aussie barbie tomorrow, so I need to buy some meat at the market.

A: Tomorrow arvo?

B: I’m sorry?

A: The barbie – that’s happening tomorrow afternoon, is it?

B: Yes, that’s right.

A: Wonderful! Don’t forget your brolly and sunnies. Melbourne’s weather can be crazy.

B: Oh, it’s so crazy. Yesterday was hot during the daytime but so cold at night.

A: That’s Melbourne for ya. Bring a cardie too in case it gets cold.

B: Thank you, I will.

A: Does it get very cold in your country?

B: Yes, very cold. Wintertime in Seoul, the temperature can go to ten degrees below zero.

A: That’s bonkers! Well, a nice hot cuppa will sure do the trick.

Well, here we are at Queen Vic Market.

B: Thank you so much for your help.

A: Absolute pleasure. You have a good one, alright? And have fun at the barbie tomorrow.

B: Thank you very much! Have a great day!

A: Ta!

B: Bye!

© Mark Wong 2020

THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 1 Worksheet

A: Cheers, mate!

Exercise 4: What do they mean?

Match the slang and expressions from the conversation with their meaning

1. G’day 10. arvo

2. mate 11. brolly
3. heading there 12. sunnies
4. No worries 13. cardie
5. How are you finding Melboure? 14. bonkers
6. Good on ya 15. cuppa
7. Fair dinkum 16. have a good one
8. Aussie barbie 17. Ta
9. booze 18. Cheers

cardigan (similar to a sweater) afternoon going there

Australian-style barbecue Thank you Great!

What do you think about

sunglasses ridiculous / crazy
Melbourne?

You too No problem friend / buddy

a cup of coffee (or tea) Hello alcoholic beverages

umbrella well done have a great day

Exercise 5 – Lights, Camera, Action!

© Mark Wong 2020
THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 1 Worksheet

Either in pairs or in small groups of three or four people, try to create a scenario lasting no-more than 3
minutes using the slang and expressions you’ve just learnt. Feel free to add your own if they apply to the
conversation.

50 Additional Australian Slang and Expressions

Ace Doco No biggie Smashed Boys in blue

AFL Down Under Op shop Snag Chockie

Bevo Freebie Pissed Surf and turf Chuck a fit

Bloke Fresher Pressie / prezzie Telly Chookas!

Bottle-O Hard yakka Put the billy on Tucker Crikey!

BS Jim-jams / PJs Reckon U-ie Oi!

BYO Knackered Rego Aggro (Do a) runner

Chockers Lost the plot Roo Avo Six-pack

Chuck a sickie Maccas Scorcher What a beauty! Smart arse

Dead horse Muso Servo Big smoke Smoke(s)

© Mark Wong 2020