Oral Communication in English: Forms, Fuction, and Strategies in the Malaysian Context
Oral Communication
July 2008
Definition
Oral communication skills are a set of abilities enabling individuals to become confident and competent speakers/communicators by the time they graduate. Rather than thinking of oral communication skills as the ability for a student to make a speech, it is important to consider both informal and formal uses of communication within a situation.
Rationale
Oral communication skills equip students to effectively comprehend, critique, and analyze information, communicate clearly and persuasively, and express ideas.
Oral communication is one of the intellectual and practical skills outlined in AAC&U’s Essential Learning Outcomes.
Intellectual and practical skills were identified as one of the areas of strategic interest and were defined by President Byrd as including three elements: 1 •
“The ability to think critically
•
The ability to communicate effectively
•
The ability to collaborate and work as a member of a team” (emphasis added)
(http://www.simpson.edu/plan/committees/action/IPS_finalreport.pdf).
Communicating effectively is necessary both for critical thinking and for working as a member of a team.
Criteria for Approving Proposals
In order for a course to be designated as an oral communication course, the course needs to include: 1 • explicit instruction in effective oral communication
•
provide opportunities for students to practice oral communication skills
•
provide feedback to students in order to help students develop their oral communication skills
•
assess the extent to which students can meet the learning outcomes identified below
Learning Outcomes:
The student who is a proficient oral communicator in a formal communication situation (e.g., presentation of research material, persuasive speech; debate) can: 1 •
Demonstrate the basic principles for organizing ideas appropriately for accomplishing informative and persuasive communication
July 2008
Definition
Oral communication skills are a set of abilities enabling individuals to become confident and competent speakers/communicators by the time they graduate. Rather than thinking of oral communication skills as the ability for a student to make a speech, it is important to consider both informal and formal uses of communication within a situation.
Rationale
Oral communication skills equip students to effectively comprehend, critique, and analyze information, communicate clearly and persuasively, and express ideas.
Oral communication is one of the intellectual and practical skills outlined in AAC&U’s Essential Learning Outcomes.
Intellectual and practical skills were identified as one of the areas of strategic interest and were defined by President Byrd as including three elements: 1 •
“The ability to think critically
•
The ability to communicate effectively
•
The ability to collaborate and work as a member of a team” (emphasis added)
(http://www.simpson.edu/plan/committees/action/IPS_finalreport.pdf).
Communicating effectively is necessary both for critical thinking and for working as a member of a team.
Criteria for Approving Proposals
In order for a course to be designated as an oral communication course, the course needs to include: 1 • explicit instruction in effective oral communication
•
provide opportunities for students to practice oral communication skills
•
provide feedback to students in order to help students develop their oral communication skills
•
assess the extent to which students can meet the learning outcomes identified below
Learning Outcomes:
The student who is a proficient oral communicator in a formal communication situation (e.g., presentation of research material, persuasive speech; debate) can: 1 •
Demonstrate the basic principles for organizing ideas appropriately for accomplishing informative and persuasive communication