Teaching and Learning New Competencies: A Deep Dive into the Three Specific Objectives

The three specific objectives at the heart of the new devis – oral interaction, writing, and reinvestment – require us to rethink familiar activities and redesign how students engage with language. At first glance, these changes can feel like a lot. But in many ways, they build on what we, as CEGEP ESL teachers, already do, while giving it more structure, purpose, and impact.

This section explores what these shifts mean in practice and how to teach them with clarity and confidence.

Oral Expression and Interaction

guide Oral Interaction

This guide defines oral interaction as a dynamic, reciprocal process where students must both understand and respond in real time.

It emphasizes:

  • authentic communication
  • collaboration
  • strategic use of language

It also provides examples of meaningful interaction tasks, such as debates, simulations, and collaborative problem-solving.

Video (Christian Dumais)

interview Fr Video (Christian Dumais)

In this interview, Christian Dumais shares insights into how oral interaction develops and how teachers can support it. He highlights the importance of designing tasks that require genuine exchange, not just individual speaking.
Video (Improv Workshop)

video Video (Improv Workshop)

This practical workshop demonstrates how improvisation activities can help students build confidence, spontaneity, and interaction strategies in a low-stakes environment.

Writing as a Process

guide Guide (Writing Process)

This guide reframes writing as a process rather than a final product.

It explains that learning happens through:

  • planning
  • drafting
  • revising
  • correcting

It also clarifies that:

  • word counts are no longer central
  • tasks determine length and complexity
  • evaluation should include the process, not just the final text

Students are encouraged to use strategies, feedback, and multiple drafts to improve over time.

Video (Amir Kalan)

interview Video (Amir Kalan)

Amir Kalan challenges traditional approaches to writing, such as the five-paragraph essay, and advocates for writing that is meaningful, contextualized, and directed toward real audiences.

Reinvestment

guide Guide (Reinvestment)

This guide explains that reinvestment involves using understanding from a source text to create something new. It is not about repeating information, but about transforming it.

Effective reinvestment tasks:

  • require interpretation and adaptation
  • involve creativity
  • are grounded in authentic materials

Students must demonstrate understanding by producing original content in a new context.