Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills: Start Here!
Everyone begins learning to communicate a second language through basic social interaction! We use repeated social messages to greet, quickly respond, meet basic needs, and share our feelings. These messages are targeted in our first four slideshows practicing Greetings and Social Messages, Quick Messages, Needs and Feelings. These slide shows are simplified to help YOU get started too. You have a sampling of the content provided in the Core Word Slideshows, just enough to help you learn the sequence of instruction as you start this process!
Core Word Slideshows: Suggested Sequence of Instruction
Preparation: Your slideshow MUST be opened in Powerpoint for all of the videos to work. You can either open in Powerpoint for the Web OR download to your computer and open in your Powerpoint.
MONDAY: Adults view slides 1-6 to learn "how" to say the target word. Adults and partners will practice saying the word, using the student's communication method (device, sign, board etc.). Practice saying the word. Think about when you could use it. During the remainder of the day, pay attention to how many times you say this word.
TUESDAY: Instructors introduce the core word and concepts to the student starting with the Core Word Video(s) in slide 7. Consider supplementing by showing examples of using the word in the classroom or environment. For example, when introducing the word "all" use candies or snacks and separate them out in to a few piles; push them "all" together and talk about the word "all." Have "all" of the students move to one area of the room and talk about how "all" of them are there....etc! Show, sign and hold up the symbol/written word for the word "all" everytime you say it!
WEDNESDAY: Instructors remind students of the core word by playing the Core Word Song(s) in the slideshow. This is fun leisure type activity. Be sure to point to the symbol, say the word, sign the word and show the word in text while you are singing!
THURSDAY: Using the core word book slide, or download and print a core word book focusing on your target core word. Read the book and be sure to point to, sign and show the symbol every time you read the word!
FRIDAY: Count it out! On this day, adults and partners MODEL the use of the core word as often as possible. Best practice is to model using the student(s) device, board or book; but you can also use your own copy! Have fun with this- use finger counters, put tokens in a jar, make a tally on the whiteboard- see if you can reach a goal of 200 models per day!! Give yourselves a treat when you hit your target!