Reflection Of Personal Skills In Speaking And Listening

Throughout the semester, I was successful in hitting all three speaking and listening GCOs. In this section I self-evaluated my skills during informal speaking and listening conversations as well as my essential question pitch proposal. In regards to speaking and listening I have improved on skills such as generating and sustaining discussions, I have learned how to properly have a conversation both verbally and non-verbally, and also to interact with sensitivity and respect towards my peers (Grade Twelve English Language Arts Essential Learning Outcomes).

GCO one says that “students will be expected to speak and listen to explore, extend, clarify, and reflect on their thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences” (Grade Twelve English Language

The Socratic seminar regarding the mosque shooting that occurred in Quebec was when I discovered my abilities to get involved in the conversations verbally, and also non-verbally. I knew when to speak up and express my thoughts and feelings without interrupting any of my classmates. While speaking I was certain to focus on appropriate body language that kept my peers engaged in what I was communicating to them. Compared to small group discussions early in the semester in which I was scared to engage myself in the conversations, I believe that I elevated my skills substantially. Following my essential question proposal presentation, I had an interview with Mr. Cormier, we discussed what was good about my poster board and also what things I needed to improve on. Leaving this discussion, he gave me a rubric with my mark and additional side notes. When creating my website, I took into consideration what feedback he gave me. Mr. Cormier told me during our interview, “that i should include multiple double-entry journals because they can show my note-taking ability”, without hesitation I took his advice and completed the double-entry journals and put them on my website. For these reasons I believe that I deserved an AP+/SP mark for this

This particular GCO was one that I did well at, but because I wanted to improve my mark, I had to self-evaluate myself to determine what things I could work on. After thinking about it, and looking over my rubrics I realized that I was not asking insightful questions or questions at all. Since mid-semester I wanted to improve on this skill to get a more complete mark. Each discussion I was involved in, I made a point to ask at least one insightful question and involve one of my group members in the conversation as well. A few examples of insightful questions that I've learned to use over the course of the year are, “if you are living in the world where you need to be perfect all the time, is it really perfect?” and, “as it becomes more aware that it's happening, will it eliminate racism?” Following mid-semester I wanted to continue doing the things that I excelled at; such a body language and behaviour. During a small group discussions with Lucky and Johnny, I was asking insightful questions while sitting with a relaxed posture, and when they were expressing their ideas, I would nod and agree with what they were saying so that they knew I was listening. As the semester went on I kept doing these things, but the more discussions I had it seemed to just become second nature