Communication skills

Communication skills involve exchanging information between people. For communication to take place, there must be at least two participants: a sender and a receiver.

For each skill category and cluster, IB provides skill indicators which learners can develop and demonstrate. Links to helpful resources and further ideas related to specific skill indicators are provided here.

The Author has provided links to resources and activities that support the development of Communication Skills. Click on the blue text to go to external sites that provide support and ideas.

Skill Clusters	Early Years Skill Indicators	Primary Skill Indicators
Exchanging information Listening, interpreting and speaking	Listening Listen to information. Listen actively and respectfully to others’ ideas. Ask for clarifications. Interpreting Interpret visual, audio and oral communication: recognizing and creating signs, interpreting and using symbols and sounds. Understand the ways in which images and language interact to convey ideas. Recognize the meaning of kinaesthetic communication (body language). Speaking Express oneself using words and sentences. Participate in conversations. Negotiate ideas and knowledge with peers and adults.	Listening Listen to, and follow the information and directions of others. Listen actively to other perspectives and ideas. Ask for clarifications. Listen actively and respectfully while others speak. Interpreting Interpret visual, audio and oral communication: recognizing and creating signs, interpreting and using symbols and sounds. Understand the ways in which images and language interact to convey ideas. Recognize the meaning of kinaesthetic communication (body language). Be aware of cultural differences when providing and interpreting communication. Speaking Speak and express ideas clearly and logically in small and large groups. Give and receive meaningful feedback and feedforward. State opinions clearly, logically and respectfully. Discuss and negotiate ideas and knowledge with peers and teachers. Communicate with peers, experts and members of the learning community using a variety of digital environments and media.
Literacy Early Years: Symbolic exploration and expression Primary: Reading, writing and using language to gather and communicate information	Using language to gather and communicate information—reading, writing and mathematics Take on pretend roles and situations. Understand symbols. Access a variety of sources for information and for pleasure. Make inferences and draw conclusions. Understand that mark-making carries meaning. Use mark-marking to convey meaning. Document information and observations in a variety of ways. Communicate using a range of technologies and materials.	Reading Read a variety of sources for information and for pleasure. Read critically and for comprehension. Make inferences and draw conclusions. Use and interpret a range of terms and symbols. Writing Use appropriate forms of writing for different purposes and audiences. Paraphrase accurately and concisely. Record information and observations by hand and through digital technologies. Use a variety of scaffolding for writing tasks. Organize information logically. Make summary notes. Communicate using a range of technologies and media. Understand and use mathematical notation and other symbols. Responsibly participate in, and contribute to, digital social media networks.
ICT Communicating using technology to gather, investigate and share information		Understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation. Make informed choices about modes of communication based on audience. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and modalities.