Concept of the communication ability
The SEACT test (*Refer to the page.) judges communication based on the 9 different elements that are shown in the chart below. Language Village creates all of its lessons with consideration of these abilities.We do not use any commercially available textbooks. We create our own lessons and materials because we believe that we are one of the rare companies which act according to our own concept. Our lessons are designed corresponding to the abilities of the theory of the SEACT test.
Highlighted lessons
Recognition
“Information acceptance”
This is the ability to capture certain information as audio data from information scattered among sentences.
All hours spent in Language Village
This improves automatically by living at Language Village.
Number acceptanc
Numbers is one of the weakest parts for Japanese people because of the different systems of counting used in English and Japanese.
Numbers
The practice of reading big numbers quickly in English.
Point : To tackle one of the weakest points for Japanese people because of the differentsystems of counting between English and Japanese.
Unification
Summarizing
This is the ability to extract core information from a big chunk of language and logically reconstructing the parts.
Story
The practice of summarizing the contents of the articles of newspapers.
Point : To decide the priority of information within a restricted time.
Expansion
Object describing
This is the ability to break down or rephrase the information condensed in a concrete image and then reconstruct it logically
Describing Actions
Practice describing the actions of a person in a movie by pausing it.
Point : To tackle describing human actions as one of the weakest points of Japanese people, which are supposed to be familiar to people other than Japanese.
Describing Pictures
Practice describing the position, shape and condition of objects.
Point : To tackle the explanation of pictures by using expressions like “jagged, “winding” and so on.
Concept describing
This is the ability to break down or rephrase information condensed into an abstract concept of a word and then reconstructing it .
Taboo
Practice describing the concept of a word on the cards to another person without using the word itself.
Point : To tackle how to evoke certain words by using different words.
Social Awareness
Situational appropriateness
This is the ability to express an appropriate statement corresponding to a certain situation. It is not a matter of logic, but a matter of social accommodation.
Expressions
Practice useful phrases which are often used by native speakers of English.
Point : To learn the phrases that are difficult to find in dictionaries, so that students can communicate more naturally.
Attitude
Non-verbal expression
This is all of the abilities involved with influencing the listeners` understanding, including emotion or gestures, other than verbal skills.
All hours spent in Language Village
This improves automatically by living at Language Village.
Consistency
Convincing
This is the ability to convince and motivate people by realizing the speakers` intentions or demands through language. *Details are explained in the section on compound (integral) ability
Comprehe- nsiveness
Compound (integral)
This is the ability to integrate the preceding elements to accomplish problem solving corresponding to necessity and timing.
Stranger Than Fiction
One student presents a story which contains some suspicious points and others ask about details and try to determine if it is true or false.
Point : To make students understand the fact that the descriptions of the details improve the credibility of the story.
Debate
Practice having a discussion about a certain issue by dividing the group into “pro” and “con” teams.
Point : Point: To learn how to persuade others by using logical techniques.
Sales
Practice expressing the appealing points of products, that students choose, in an appropriate manner.
Point : To recreate a business situation in order to be ready for students` real future missions.
Complaints
Practice handling the complaints of customers.
Point : To recreate a business situation and try to solve problems by integrating all of their English communication abilities.
Not applicable to any elements
Not applicable to any elements
(Just as a business skill)
Presentation
Practice making a presentation in front of native English speakers.
Point : To learn the basic skills of presentations, like manners and effective gestures.
