Teaching Macro Skills in English

Learning Outcomes for Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs)

• PSTs should be able to recognize core concepts in teaching macro skills in English.
• PSTs should discuss the connections of macro skills with other language skills and competencies.
• PSTs should identify teaching methods and approaches for English macro skills.
• PSTs should list qualities of effective macro skills teachers.

Introduction to Macro Skills

• Language learning involves mastering not only the parts of language but also embedded skills.
• Language shapes cognition, culture, and society, and these factors also influence language.
• This chapter examines macro skills, specifically receptive and expressive macro skills.
• Macro skills connections to vocabulary, grammar, literature, and communication competence are explored.
• Content-based instruction and lesson planning of macro skills are discussed.

Receptive vs. Expressive Macro Skills

• Receptive skills (listening and reading) receive information from the environment.
• Expressive skills (speaking and writing) express information to the environment.
• Listening and reading are distinct from hearing (physical) and involve interpreting and understanding received information.
• Reading involves decoding written symbols to get meaning from a text. This includes various steps like recognizing author’s mood, purpose, and main ideas; understanding the context; analyzing words; evaluating sentences; and relating the textual meaning to one’s existing knowledge.
• Speaking is an oral delivery of language which includes factors like vocabulary, discourse, morphology, pragmatics, etc.
• Writing is a non-linear, exploratory act of putting ideas into text, allowing for reflection, and making communication more effective.

Macro Skills Competencies in K-12 Curriculum

• The K-12 curriculum integrates listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing as macro skills which are part of the core of language learning.
• Integrated sub-strands of Language Arts and Multiliteracies Curriculum are listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing.

Viewing as a Macro Skill

• Viewing is a growing language macro skill, involving perceiving, examining, interpreting, and constructing meaning from visual images.
• It is crucial for comprehension of various materials (print and non-print).
• Viewing should be treated equally with other macro skills.

Connection of Macro Skills with Vocabulary, Grammar, and Literature

• Vocabulary, grammar, and literature are interconnected components of language.
• Listening and reading help expand vocabulary.
• Reading can also enhance grammatical understanding and improve one's ability to communicate effectively through speaking or writing.
• Literature provides content and ideas for both reading and writing.

Communicative Competence

• Communicative competence is the ability to communicate effectively in culturally appropriate ways for the needed effect.
• It combines grammatical, sociolinguistic, strategic, and discourse competence.

BICS vs. CALP

• BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) refer to colloquial language learned usually by age five.
• CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) refers to formal academic proficiency, not necessarily correlated to BICS.

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

• CLT emphasizes understanding and using language for communicative purposes.
• Objectives for CLT include knowledge of target language functions, settings, roles, communicative events, notions/concepts, discourse and rhetorical skills, and vocabulary.

Ten Core Assumptions of Current CLT

• Classroom activities and tasks involving meaningful interactions facilitate language learning.
• Learners use language resources, and interpersonal exchange helps in language improvement.

Qualities of an Effective Macroskills Teacher

• Teachers demonstrate competence and patience.
• They cultivate a personalized learning environment and are hopeful.
• They show passion in their teaching, connect with learners, appreciate mistakes, teach using diverse methods, and use technology strategically.

This quiz explores the core concepts related to teaching macro skills in English for pre-service teachers. It covers the connections between macro skills and other language competencies, effective teaching methods, and the qualities of successful macro skills educators. Dive into the essential elements of receptive and expressive skills within language learning.