This unit standard will be useful to learners who need a sound foundation of spoken/signed language ability for further language growth, and for application in real life contexts. Learners talk/sign confidently in both formal and informal contexts and /sign actively for ideas and information in interactions with other people. They are aware of the ways others speak/sign to influence listeners and audiences. In conveying their ideas and information they select language and a register that is accessible to their audience and fit for their purpose.
Learners credited with this unit standard are proficient in using a variety of strategies to maintain effective communication in diverse contexts. They demonstrate the ability to adapt their language to accommodate socio-cultural sensitivities, ensuring respectful and appropriate interactions while still conveying their own intended meaning. Leveraging their understanding of language structures and conventions, these learners can effectively shape or decode the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary or constructions, facilitating clear and precise communication.
Moreover, they excel in organising and presenting information in a focused and coherent manner, making their communication both engaging and easy to follow. These learners are also adept at identifying and explaining how speakers or signers influence their audiences, recognising the techniques and strategies used to impact listeners or viewers. This comprehensive skill set enables them to communicate confidently and effectively, whether in familiar or unfamiliar situations, and to understand and respond to the nuances of different communication environments.
Course Content
- Questions to obtain information and clarify meaning are appropriate to the context, and are used to maintain interaction
- Interaction is sustained through exchanges with others to clarify understanding, information, ideas and opinions
- Intonation (tone)/NMFs, volume/sign size, pace and rhythm, pitch/NMFs, stress, repetition and pacing are used in a manner that supports and conveys meaning
- Sustained interactions reflect an ability to discuss a series of events
- The main ideas are clearly distinguished during the interactions and are supported by information appropriate to the context and topic of discussion
- Interactions are coherent, and conclusions and opinions that are justified by evidence and arguments during the interaction are recognised, then supported or countered
- Own speech/signing is corrected or adapted to promote clarity and understanding during the interaction
- The effects of combining the spoken/signed word with visual features and body language are explained and used appropriately with reference to purpose, audience and context
- Intonation/NMFs is/are used appropriately to support intentions in spoken/signed texts and its impact is explained
- The impact on interaction of using appropriate or inappropriate forms of politeness in a -specific context is explained
- Own ideas and opinions are expressed in ways that reflect respect for others and sensitivity to socio- cultural differences and ways of constructing meaning
- New or borrowed words/signs are identified when listening/viewing, idioms, slang, acronyms and technical terms are identified and used appropriately in speaking/signing
- New words/signs are explored and meaning constructed from a range of contextual clues in order to extend vocabulary
- Meaning in speaking/signing is supported by the appropriate use of pause, intonation/NMFs, pace, stress and a variety of sentence structures
- Speech/signing is organised in a way that makes its meaning and purpose accessible to listeners/audience.
- Style and register suit purpose and audience
- Information appropriate to purpose, audience and context is identified, located, selected, logically structured and presented
- Illustrative aids used to promote understanding in the communication process are appropriate to the topic, audience and context
- Own points of view and ideas are presented coherently in prepared and unprepared talks
- Conclusions are formulated in clear, simple language, summarising the main evidence and stating own point of view
- Speaker’s/signer’s choice of words, language usage, symbols, pictures and tone, sign size and pace is explored and explained in terms of impact on the audience
- Speaker’s/signer’s omission or inclusion of pertinent facts and opinions is recognised and explained in terms of impact on the audience
- The impact of different techniques of spoken/signed communication is identified and evaluated in terms of influence on selected audiences and used appropriately
- Non-accredited: Short course only
- Duration: 1h 30m
- Delivery: Classroom/Online/Blended
- Access Period: 12 Months
