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Classes That Build Communication Skills

Communication is important in our relationships, work, and personal lives. One of the best ways to set young people up for success is to train them to be excellent communicators. With so many young people having grown up focused on screens, employers find that verbal and written communication skills have declined in recent years. They're looking for candidates who can actively listen to and understand others and who can express themselves clearly when they speak and write. Individuals who can adapt their communication style to different audiences and situations add value to their organizations. 

By attending in-person classes at Mid-Metro Academy, your student will gain experience in face-to-face communication. MMA offers several classes that are designed to develop communication skills. 

(Teacher and recommended age range follow course title.)

Written Communication

Writing with Confidence (Rebecca Hope, 4 Levels: 5-7, 6-8, 7-10, 8-12)

Mrs. Hope's Writing with Confidence classes use the Institute for Excellence in Writing approaches, an acclaimed method for teaching students the elements of structure and style. Gradual introduction of techniques and continual repetition through several years of instruction help students internalize the principles of excellent written communication. Because students should take at least two years of Writing with Confidence, Mrs. Hope offers Level Half, Intro Level, Level 1, and Level 2.

Step by Step to Essay Success (Rebecca Hope, 8-12)

This one-semester course focuses on paragraph structures and essays, including narrative (personal) essays, application essays, and persuasive essays. It also teaches advanced writing techniques that prepare students for college writing, including research papers and APA documentation.

Creative Writing Workshop (Rebecca Hope, 6-12)

Students who have a flair for stories or poetry will love the chance to explore their talents in this course. All students can benefit from the creative exercises that teach them to communicate in original and powerful ways.

Literature

  • Language Arts & Literature (Dawna Reandeau, 5-8) Reading long-form literature builds language skills that make students better speakers and writers. Middle school is the ideal time for students to immerse themselves in quality novels. Discussing the books they read and responding through activities helps improve their reading comprehension and expressive language.
  • Read! Think! Write! (Rebecca Hope, 9-12) This literature class gives high school students opportunities to practice written and oral expression as they respond to the complex and nuanced themes and characters of classic British and American literature. Group projects, including skits, reader's chorus, podcasts, and blogs, allow students to use a variety of communication formats. 

Languages

  • Spanish (Ana Grace Plotts, 3 Levels: 5-8, 7-12, 8-12)
  • French (Dannette Lund, 7-adult)

Learning a foreign language gives students a better grasp of their native language's grammar and idioms. Language classes at MMA include cultural instruction, which enhances understanding and empathy. Foreign language acquisition requires students to practice listening, mirroring, and paraphrasing, which are communication tools that add value to English conversations as well.

Public Speaking (Dannette Lund, 7-12)

Although it ranks among people's greatest fears, public speaking is a crucial skill for young people to develop. Students will develop confidence, fluency, and persuasive power as they practice delivering a variety of oral presentations to their peers and receive constructive feedback from Mrs. Lund.

Student Senate (Dave Racer, 9-12)

In this unique civics class, students act as senators, forming mock legislation. They learn communication skills from observing the multiple guests Mr. Racer brings in (legislators, community members, and industry leaders) and by drafting, arguing for, and presenting their own bills.

Acting

  • Intro to Acting (Julie Thoreen, 5-8) 
  • Acting Techniques (Josh Cisewski, 7-12)

Acting builds oral communication skills in a fun environment. Students learn to project their voices, think on their feet, internalize powerful dialogue that can influence their own language, and communicate through facial expressions, body language, and movement. These skills have wide application in adulthood and careers.

Find complete course descriptions and register HERE.

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