Lexis: Functional Language

Although all language use may be considered to be functional, when we talk about teaching functional language we are focusing on the language needed for a specific reason for communicating (rather than analysing the structure or focusing on elements of the grammar).
Some common functions are: agreeing and disagreeing, apologising, asking permission, complaining, giving advice, ordering a drink in a bar or thanking somebody.

Learning functional language gives students the skills to communicate effectively in various everyday situations. Functional language contains a lot of fixed expressions but as long as learners understand when to use them and what they mean, they can be taught as manageable “chunks”. These chunks of language can then be used in other speaking and writing activities and in other contexts, thereby helping students to build on their English language knowledge and communicate successfully in a range of situations.

Task 10

Match the sentences 1 – 15 with the function each one illustrates, choosing from the functions (a) – (o) in the drop-down menus.