Why is Oral Communication so Important?

Retrieved November 28th, 2016 From: Blogger

Why is it so important to teach Oral Communication to our youth? Being well spoken is a talent that requires much time and detail to conquer.  But we ask ourselves, why is it so important that we be well-spoken? Someone who is able to efficiently get their ideas from their head out into the open is someone who will go far in life. However, there is much more to it than simply being able to say what we are thinking, being able to do it in a well put together manner, being respectful of others, making sure our ideas are organized to make sense to others are all things one must learn how to do. 

The Ontario Language Curriculum states that, through talk, students not only communicate information but also explore and come to understand ideas and concepts; identify and solve problems; organize their experience and knowledge; and express and clarify their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Ontario Language Curriculum Grades 1-8. (2006). 

How do we teach Oral Communication skills? Through modelling, through good listening, through debate and through as many open discussions as possible. Although speeches are less common today than they were when I went to school, I personally still find them to be an effective way to help with student confidence. No matter how front and centre technology becomes, Oral Communication will always be something that we need in life, going for an interview, speaking to a boss, a colleague, even a friend or a family member. It is so easy for us to just want to say whatever comes to mind however we need to take a step back and realize that an educated thought and verbal reaction will most likely have a better result than simply "word-vomiting" whatever comes to mind. 

I believe that many educators are afraid of encouraging Oral Communication in the classroom because it is easy to lose control of the class if you have a larger group. In my placement class, we have thirty one kids so maintaining order to get through the day is one of the toughest battles. Having strategically planned and well thought out classroom discussions is imperative to making sure you will not lose that class' attention. You want your students to be engaged in what they are talking about to promote as much participation related to the subject as possible. 

Listening skills go hand-in-hand with speaking skills...The Ontario Language Curriculum states that "students will: listen in order to understand and respond appropriately in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes".  How do we accomplish this? Having a respectful classroom environment is the starting point of good listening skills, no interrupting others while they are speaking, encouraging students to have silent time every day and having listening activities such as the game "Telephone" or one that we explored in our class last week called "Pass the Buck". These games force students to use their listening skills to be able to continue the story from where it left off. Playing games while learning, why not!? 

Retrieved November 27th, 2016 From: InnovAgility