Our instruction is designed to foster the development of communication competence. We thus attend to the phonologic, semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of communication. A primary focus of our instruction is on improving the comprehensibility of a student’s spoken message. This website depicts some of our assessment and instructional activities that are directed to this effort.

However, the scope of our instruction is much broader. Achieving communication competence is related to the achievement of academic, social, and career success.

For example, we provide instruction in job interviewing, giving formal presentations, using technical vocabulary, conversing on the phone, using
e-mail appropriately and effectively, engaging in problem solving, participating in group discussions, and recognizing and responding to cultural variations in communication. In addition, students can pursue more extensive opportunities through credit courses offered through the Communication Studies and Services Department.

We embrace an adult model for instruction. Students and instructors are partners in the endeavor to improve communication and students play an active role in establishing and evaluating goals, activities, and expectations.

The activities depicted on this site are part of a comprehensive focus on improving communication competence at NTID.