National Adult Literacy Database

Integrating oral communication skills into the ESL classroom is nothing new – in fact that is pretty well a “raison d’etre” in the first place. Most language learning methods used in Canada include a balanced approach to learning that integrates speaking and listening, as well as reading and writing.

Oral Communication as defined in the Essential Skills Reader’s Guide refers to, “the use of speech to give and exchange thoughts and information by workers in an occupational group.” Dimensions of oral communication are based on four dimensions, including the range and complexity of the information, communication function and context, and the relative risks of a failure in communication.