Go like Silk
Relational Reading
Understanding written texts is an essential communication skill.
Comprehension of written communication does not simply require the necessary language skills but an adequate level of confidence in coping with written texts. The concept of Relational Reading addresses this requirement on an emotional-cognitive level. Participants learn to engage competently and confidently with different types of written texts, to understand their core messages, assess their urgency and respond to them according to the requests explicitly expressed and the demands implied ‘between the lines’.
People approach written communication with different presuppositions and expectations in regard to how to formulate and understand specific genres of texts (such as orders, requests, feedback etc.). Different people therefore react differently to the same text and also ask different questions (‘What is it that I must/may/should do?’). This influences how they perceive written communication in relation to hierarchies and power differentials, including their own approach towards administrative bodies, superiors and other authorities (decrees, statements, forms etc.) as well as external communication (inquiries, complaints, reports etc.).
Relational Reading takes all these aspects and their implications into account. It approaches reading as an intra-actional process that acknowledges the relation between reader and text as an integral part of understanding. This allows readers to engage with written texts in accordance with their own communicative needs.
In our workshops, we also use reading techniques such as diagonal and precision-oriented reading, summarising and pragmatic text analysis (e.g., Who wants what from whom and why?). Participants become aware of their own insecurities and possible resistance to written communication. They learn to identify what text elements may activate these insecurities and how to develop coping strategies. This includes how to clarify ambiguities through metacommunication (communication about the text) and how to acquire relevant information on their own.
Content & goals
Our participants learn to …
- understand and employ written communication in professional and other contexts as a relational and cooperative act
- develop awareness of the non-linguistic aspects of written texts and reading comprehension
- recognise their own skills and competence as well as their insecurities in regard to written communication
- overcome their inhibitions in regard to written texts through efficient comprehension techniques
- engage with the culturally specific conventions of written communication in Austria in German or with the multiplicity of styles in international written communication in English
Our content, methods and goals are all based on the principles of Kindness Communication. We adapt our focus to accommodate specific training goals and target groups.
Target groups
We offer workshops and invidual sessions for different target groups. Read more about our target groups.
Workshops & sessions
Relation Reading is the focus of our workshop Read like Silk and also features in our other workshops and sessions.
We would be happy to create workshops or sessions specifically to meet the requirements of your company or organisation. Please get in touch.
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To be fluent means to flow.
Go like Silk