In this episode I discuss the communication modes, including a look back at the legacy teaching focused on the 4 skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Then moving into the arrival of the Communication Modes, which don’t erase the skills, but rather put them into a communicative context.
The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines put communication into these categories: interpersonal, interpretive and presentational.
Presentational communication
- One-way speaking or writing that does not allow for real time clarification of meaning.
- Prepared in advance, not spontaneous
interpretive communication
- One-way listening or reading that also does not allow for real time clarification of meaning.
- This may require accessing personal knowledge of the topic or doing research.
Interpersonal communication
- Two-way speaking that allows for clarification of the message in real time.
- When communicating interpersonally all speakers and listeners are involved in creating and interpreting the message and work together to assure that there is a collective understanding.
What does it look like in the classroom?
- The 4 skills are woven together; listen then discuss or read and then write.
- Begin with interpretive, then move on to other modes
- IPA: Integrated performance assessment; backwards planning
Blog Post/Slide Share on the ACTFL Communication Modes
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