ENG4UE
IMPROVING COMMUNICATING SKILLS
IMPROVING COMMUNICATING SKILLS
COMMUNICATING
THROUGH WORDS, VOICE, AND MORE.
PARTICIPATING IN CLASS
This term, I used my communication skills in a variety of settings, including whole class discussions, small group work, and one-on-one conversations with peers. In group discussions, I actively contributed ideas, especially in tasks like creating hexagons connected to “Lucas,” where I shared my perspective on how to approach open-ended assignments. I also participated in discussions about key concepts, like the meaning of identity and the role of culture in communities. These opportunities allowed me to see different viewpoints, build on ideas collaboratively, and communicate my thoughts more effectively.
My strongest area of communication is in group discussions, where I feel comfortable expressing my ideas, listening to others, and building on shared thoughts. For example, in discussions about what defines a community and how culture is created, I confidently presented my views on how communities are shaped by shared characteristics and how culture is nurtured by others rather than being born. My ability to express thoughts clearly in group settings has helped me contribute meaningfully to these conversations.
Over the term, I believe my communication skills have improved. I’m more aware of the need for clarity and structure when sharing ideas, especially since it is harder to understand text audibly than visually. Listening to others’ perspectives, especially when they differ from mine, has helped me reflect on my own viewpoints and adapt them when necessary. I’ve become a better listener by recognizing the importance of considering the various opinions presented.
While I feel confident in small group settings, one area I’d like to improve is participating more actively in whole class discussions. Actively participating with the entire class would help me further develop my ability to communicate confidently and clearly in larger group settings. By working on this area, I hope to strengthen my overall communication skills and become more comfortable contributing in all types of discussions.
Term 2 Update: Reflecting on my communication skills this term, I’ve made significant improvements compared to the last term, particularly in my ability to express ideas clearly, collaborate effectively, and engage in discussions. One of the most noticeable areas of growth is how I’ve developed confidence in group settings, both small and large, and in my ability to adapt my communication style to suit different audiences and situations.
Last term, I often struggled with clearly articulating my thoughts during group discussions, sometimes hesitating to share ideas if I felt they weren’t fully developed. This term, however, I actively worked on voicing my perspectives with greater clarity and confidence. This was a step forward for me because I contributed many more ideas and participated in further discussions.
Another key improvement has been my ability to build on others’ ideas. In discussions about Beartown and my ISP book, I confidently shared my thoughts on how these topics by building upon peers. This is reflected in my learning tracker. However, I also actively listened to my peers’ perspectives, which allowed me to refine my own viewpoints and see concepts in a broader way. This balance between expressing my ideas and integrating others’ insights represents a growth in my communication skills since last term.
EVIDENCE
DORIAN GRAY GROUP MEETINGS
EVIDENCE
The Picture of Dorian Gray group meetings helped me improve my communication skills by giving me regular opportunities to express my ideas clearly and confidently in a group setting. Sharing my thoughts on the novel’s themes, characters, and stylistic elements required me to organize my ideas in a way that others could easily understand and respond to. This process encouraged me to form my interpretations thoughtfully, using evidence from the text to back up my points. Additionally, discussing my predictions and hearing my group members’ perspectives helped me learn how to build on others’ ideas and contribute to a shared understanding of the story. Through these meetings, I developed stronger skills in both presenting my thoughts and engaging actively with others’ contributions, making me a more effective communicator in group discussions.
Term 2 Update: This term, my experience in The Picture of Dorian Gray group meetings helped me significantly improve my communication skills by contributing more actively and analyzing texts deeply. I shared thoughtful interpretations, often using evidence to support my points, which sparked discussions and even respectful debates with group members. For example, I questioned whether Lord Henry’s influence absolved Dorian of accountability, leading to a meaningful exchange of ideas.
I also became more confident in responding to others’ contributions, building on their ideas and offering alternative perspectives. These meetings pushed me to articulate complex thoughts clearly, engage in educated arguments, and collaborate effectively. Overall, I grew as a communicator, balancing critical analysis with meaningful dialogue, and I’m proud of the progress I made this term.
BEARTOWN SETTING VISUAL
The Beartown setting visual project helped me improve my communication skills through intensive collaboration with my group. We spent many hours working together to create the setting in Minecraft, which required detailed planning and coordination to ensure that our vision was accurately represented. This project challenged me to clearly communicate my ideas and listen to my teammates’ input to make decisions that everyone agreed on. Working in a digital space like Minecraft added complexity, as we needed to be specific about tasks and roles, which improved my ability to explain concepts and plans clearly. Overall, this project strengthened my collaboration and communication skills, as we shared ideas, solved problems together, and continuously improved our work as a team.
Additionally, I researched and practiced how to become a better presenter for the presentation aspect of this assignment. I learned to speak slower and clearer with a combination of body gestures to emphasize points. For the past few years, my legs always used to shake when presenting, but by practicing, I have improved my presenting skills significantly, and subsequently this was the first time in many years where my nerves did not affect me at all.
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
GROUP SEMINAR
This seminar was a major learning experience for me and helped me grow in several areas, particularly my analytical and communication skills. I improved significantly in breaking down complex ideas, connecting multiple texts, and presenting confidently to an audience.
One of the key things I learned was how to effectively use MLA citation to strengthen the credibility of our arguments, which was something I hadn’t mastered before in terms of images. I also improved my ability to analyze texts in depth and draw meaningful comparisons between Beartown and The Picture of Dorian Gray. For example, I highlighted how Kevin’s idolization in Beartown parallels to Lord Henry’s in Oscar Wilde’s novel, emphasizing the negative effects of idolatry on both individuals and communities. These connections helped answer our big question while showing the broader implications of idolization.
To prepare for the seminar, I practiced extensively, including presenting to my sister, which helped me improve my delivery and build confidence. This extra effort ensured that I could communicate my ideas clearly and minimize reliance on the slides.
I’m proud of my contributions, particularly my analysis of key themes and my ability to articulate ideas during the presentation. My section on Kevin and the way I directed discussions was well received by the class. I also contributed to ensuring balanced speaking time for all group members and maintaining a clear focus on our thesis. Our group activity, where we asked the class to engage with questions about whether idolatry is positive or negative, sparked creative discussions. These interactions allowed us to connect the texts to ideas while involving the audience.
While we did a good job of covering the material, feedback suggested that we could have connected Beartown and The Picture of Dorian Gray more seamlessly throughout the seminar instead of treating them as separate sections. This would have made the presentation more cohesive and avoided repetition at the end. Another point of improvement is slide design. Some slides had too much text, which made it harder for the audience to focus on what we were saying. Simplifying the content and using more visuals could have enhanced engagement.
Something my group could have improved on was practicing more. When Philip struggled with his part of the presentation, other group members including me should have been able to help out and take over for him. But unfortunately, we were absorbed in our individual parts to where we stood there are did nothing.
Ultimately, this seminar taught me the importance of preparation, teamwork, and audience engagement. Moving forward, I aim to focus more on collaborating more with team members between ideas and reducing my own reliance on slides. Overall, I’m proud of the effort and growth I demonstrated through this seminar.