0.1.0: Three Modes of Communication
How do you measure proficiency? The ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency Guidelines has the following proficiency levels:
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Superior
- Distinguished
Each of these levels are defined in three subsets of communications skills: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational.
Understanding the three modes of communication will help you understand the variety of activities you will complete in Spanish class this semester. Watch the short video on the three modes of communication.
| Interpersonal | Interpretive | Presentational |
|---|---|---|
| Active negotiation of meaning among individuals | Interpretation of what the author, speaker, or producer wants the receiver of the message to understand | Creation of messages to inform, explain, persuade, or narrate |
| Participants observe and monitor one another to see how their meanings and intentions are being communicated | One-way communication with no recourse to the active negotiation of meaning with the writer, speaker, or producer | One-way communication intended to facilitate interpretation by members of the other culture where no direct opportunity for the active negotiation of meaning between members of the two cultures exists |
| Adjustments and clarifications are made accordingly | Interpretation differs from comprehension and translation in that interpretation implies the ability to read (or listen or view) “between the lines,” including understanding from within the cultural mindset or perspective | To ensure the intended audience is successful in its interpretation, the “presenter” needs knowledge of the audience’s language and culture |
| Speaking and listening (conversation); reading and writing (text messages or via social media) | Reading (websites, stories, articles), listening (speeches, messages, songs), or viewing (video clips) of authentic materials | Writing (messages, articles, reports), speaking (telling a story, giving a speech, describing a poster), or visually representing (video or PowerPoint) |
ACTFL Modes of Communication
Because of the very nature of each mode of communication, you will feel the most comfortable with the interpretive mode right away in your language journey. Receiving a message will be easier than creating your own message in the beginning. You might feel like your proficiency is skewed like the image below:
That's ok! Interpersonal communication is spontaneous and can therefore be the most difficult when called to use Spanish in action. In class this semester, you will be asked to participate in activities that will strengthen your communication skills.
Can you describe and give examples of the three different modes of communication?
- Interpersonal:
- Interpretive:
- Presentational:
Works Cited:
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. "ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners." ACTFL , 2015, www.actfl.org/uploads/ files/general/ACTFLPerformance_Descriptors.pdf . Accessed 22 Dec. 2023.
“Unfinished Horse Drawing / Flaming Horse Rating.” Know Your Meme , 18 Mar. 2019, https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/unfinished-horse-drawing-flaming-horse-rating . Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.
UO Center for Applied Second Language Studies. "The ACTFL Modes of Communication." Youtube , 6 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEW-eSKTQ20 . Accessed 22 Dec. 2023.