Learning a foreign language has advantages such as improvement of cognitive skills, career advancement, cultural enrichment, and so on. Some benefits are easier to appreciate than others, but there are also advantages that we often do not even consider. I would like to briefly share some ideas about how to improve our communication skills, as well as argumentative discourse skills.
Regarding foreign language communicative abilities, we need to keep in mind that they help us convey and understand messages effectively using that tongue. These capabilities go beyond the mere knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. In fact, they encompass the practical use of language in real-life situations and are characterized by four primary components: listening, speaking, writing, and reading competences. Reaching proficiency in communicative skills ensures that pupils can express themselves clearly and understand others in the target language. This is crucial for students who plan to live, work, or travel in countries where that language is spoken.
Communicative aptitudes are at the heart of language learning and play a pivotal role in achieving proficiency in a foreign tongue. However, the benefits go beyond the linguistic aspect. When effective communication skills are achieved in the target language, they can be transferred to other settings and they can help significantly to build relationships, both personal and professional. Proficient communicators are better equipped to connect with others, make friends, and collaborate in diverse environments.
Additionally, this aptitude enables students to convey and understand messages effectively in a foreign language. Thus, learners can participate in class discussions, deliver presentations, and write coherent essays. Argumentation is a form of communication that relies heavily on core communicative skills. To engage in persuasive and structured discussions or debates, students must listen actively, express their opinions clearly (speaking), comprehend opposing viewpoints (listening and reading), and present well-organized arguments orally or in writing (1).
Both, communicative and argumentative discourse skills contribute to effective and meaningful exchange in the target language. In fact, students need to, not only communicate, but also articulate complex ideas persuasively and logically, which demands a strong foundation in the communicative proficiency.
When interacting, students interpret and respond to messages using, to some extent, critical thinking. In order to do so, students need to analyze information critically, evaluate the strength of evidence, and construct sound arguments to respond adequately. Therefore, argumentative discourse inherently fosters higher-order thinking talents, which are applicable across all communicative contexts and are supported by the effective communicative skills.
In short, these aptitudes lay the foundation for language learning and basic communication, while argumentative discourse skills build on this grounds to enable learners to engage in structured, persuasive, and critical communication. Both ability sets are integral to foreign language proficiency and are interconnected in the sense that they complement and enhance each other, creating well-rounded language learners capable of communicating effectively in a variety of contexts.
And last, but not least, it is necessary that in a world full of superficiality, where there is lack of participation committed to the common good, people communicate their ideas rationally. Rational interchanges involve the use of language and communication through the exchange of reasons and arguments to achieve mutual understanding and consensus (1). It needs to be kept in mind that we are rational beings and a language class can help strengthen or develop these skills, which will not only serve to demonstrate language proficiency but also show that we are reasoning beings.
Reference:
(1) Samuelsson, M. (2016). Education for Deliberative Democracy. A Typology of Classroom Discussions.
