Oral Communication (30 september 2024)

Summary of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) for Oral Communication

The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) for Oral Communication outlines a comprehensive approach to understanding and evaluating oral communication skills. Oral communication in the ACSF is divided into two main categories: speaking and listening, and is structured across five performance levels. The framework focuses on both transactional and interpersonal exchanges and emphasizes the significance of purpose, context, and audience in shaping communication.

Core Aspects of Oral Communication

Oral communication involves interactions for various purposes such as sharing information, building relationships, solving problems, expressing emotions, or negotiating. The communication can occur in different settings, influenced by context, cultural norms, social distance, power relations, and emotional factors. The use of technology is acknowledged as an evolving medium for oral exchanges, highlighting that not all oral communication happens face-to-face.

Key Features of Oral Communication in the ACSF

1. Transactional Exchanges:
   • Primarily practical and designed to achieve specific outcomes, such as providing or obtaining information or services.
   • Tend to be structured and may involve interactions between people who have no prior knowledge of each other.
2. Interpersonal Exchanges:
   • Focus on establishing, building, and maintaining relationships.
   • Aim to resolve conflicts, explore issues, and express emotions.
   • May involve individuals who have ongoing or prior interactions or may be between strangers.

Performance Levels and Indicators

The ACSF describes oral communication across five levels, each defined by distinct performance indicators and features. The levels capture the progression from basic communication skills to more complex and effective interactions:

1. Level 1:
   • Simple exchanges of basic information in highly familiar contexts.
   • Uses a limited range of familiar vocabulary and structures.
   • Heavily reliant on non-verbal cues such as gestures and facial expressions.
   • Example activities: Asking simple questions, providing basic personal details, responding to straightforward instructions.
2. Level 2:
   • Involves maintaining conversations in familiar contexts using everyday language.
   • Demonstrates a basic understanding of formal and informal registers.
   • Interactions are more varied, and the speaker begins to apply strategies for clarification.
   • Example activities: Making a telephone call, participating in a casual conversation, giving or receiving instructions.
3. Level 3:
   • Uses a broader range of strategies to manage communication in familiar and some unfamiliar contexts.
   • Introduces specialized vocabulary and more complex grammatical structures.
   • Recognizes context, audience, and purpose when selecting appropriate language.
   • Example activities: Leading a small group discussion, delivering a short talk, or responding to customer complaints.
4. Level 4:
   • Demonstrates flexibility and complexity in communication strategies across a variety of contexts.
   • Uses specialized vocabulary, abstract ideas, and symbolism.
   • Engages in sophisticated oral negotiations and problem-solving scenarios.
   • Example activities: Negotiating a conflict resolution, providing feedback to a team, or giving a formal presentation.
5. Level 5:
   • Manages complex and nuanced communication, displaying a deep understanding of multiple and unstated meanings.
   • Employs advanced strategies for effective and sensitive communication in broad contexts.
   • Integrates verbal and non-verbal strategies to convey subtleties of emotion and intention.
   • Example activities: Facilitating large group discussions, engaging in diplomatic dialogues, or conducting high-level negotiations.

Focus Areas and Performance Features

The ACSF breaks down each level into specific focus areas, such as range and context, audience and purpose, register, cohesion and structure, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and non-verbal communication. Each focus area is described with performance features, which outline what a speaker or listener is able to do at each level:

1. Speaking:
   • Involves selecting the appropriate language, vocabulary, and structure for the given context.
   • Adapts register according to the purpose, audience, and medium.
   • Employs cohesion and logical sequencing to organize spoken information effectively.
2. Listening:
   • Involves comprehending spoken information, recognizing the purpose and structure of oral texts.
   • Uses strategies such as questioning, paraphrasing, and summarizing to derive meaning.
   • Interprets non-verbal cues to enhance understanding and provide feedback.

Domains of Communication

Oral communication in the ACSF is further categorized into three main domains:

1. Personal and Community:
   • Engaging in casual conversations, negotiating social interactions, and participating in community activities.
   • Example activities: Discussing issues of public interest, expressing personal opinions, or giving a prepared talk.
2. Workplace and Employment:
   • Communicating effectively in professional settings, managing team discussions, and responding to workplace conflicts.
   • Example activities: Leading meetings, reporting hazards, or negotiating terms.
3. Education and Training:
   • Supporting learning through active listening, exchanging information, and participating in group tasks.
   • Example activities: Presenting research findings, engaging in classroom discussions, or completing group projects.

Sample Activities

The ACSF provides detailed sample activities for each level across different domains. These activities illustrate practical applications of oral communication skills in real-world settings, such as:

• Exchanging personal details, expressing preferences, following instructions, or reporting workplace incidents.
• Engaging in small group discussions, problem-solving, or making formal presentations.
• Demonstrating effective negotiation, conflict resolution, and team facilitation skills.

Conclusion

The ACSF for Oral Communication emphasizes the importance of context, audience, and purpose in shaping how individuals communicate. The framework provides a structured approach to understanding oral communication skills, from basic exchanges to complex, multi-layered interactions. By outlining clear performance indicators and providing examples of real-world applications, the ACSF serves as a valuable tool for educators, trainers, and professionals aiming to assess and enhance oral communication skills across different contexts and levels.