Communication_Environment_Discussion.pptx

how the environment supports communication

1. Analyzing the Communication Environment Guided Discussion with Key Questions

2. Objectives By the end of this session, participants will be able to: • Discuss the importance of analyzing the communication environment. • Assess environments for communication opportunities. • Identify opportunities to teach communication and interaction skills. • Use language samples for communication planning.

3. Why Analyze the Communication Environment? • Environments shape opportunities for meaningful communication. • Factors such as noise, layout, and peer support impact learner participation. • Teachers can adapt environments to promote rich communication.

4. Discussion: Environment • Why is the environment critical to communication development? • What supports or hinders communication in your teaching space? • How do cultural norms and routines affect communication?

5. Assessing Different Environments • Classroom: Peer talk, group work, teacher-led interactions. • Playground: Turn-taking, conflict resolution, social play. • Cafeteria: Greeting peers, requesting, negotiating seating. • Home/Community: Storytelling, chores, shopping, church.

6. Discussion: Assessing Environments • What communication opportunities exist in the classroom? • How can daily routines (play, snack, lining up) build skills? • What barriers do you notice in common settings?

7. Identifying Opportunities to Teach Communication Skills • Use routines as teaching moments (lining up, snack time, group work). • Expand learner utterances with richer language. • Encourage peer-to-peer communication.

8. Discussion: Teaching Communication Skills • What does 'teaching in the moment' mean to you? • Share an example where you used a routine to teach communication. • How can peers help scaffold communication?

9. Language Sampling • Collect samples from natural interactions. • Analyze for vocabulary, sentence structure, and social phrases. • Use findings to set teaching goals.

10. Discussion: Language Sampling • What patterns might you look for in a language sample? • How can a language sample guide your teaching goals? • Share challenges you’ve had collecting samples.

11. Natural Opportunities for Teaching Interaction Skills • Greeting peers. • Asking for help. • Sharing materials. • Explaining rules in games. • Collaborating during clean-up.

12. Discussion: Natural Opportunities • Which classroom routines can be used for teaching interaction skills? • How do you encourage learners to initiate communication? • What strategies help generalize skills across environments?

13. Closing Reflection • What did you learn about context and communication? • How will you apply environmental analysis this week? • What supports will you put in place to increase opportunities?