Written and Verbal Communication for Extension and Development Training

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and analyze the purpose and audience for different communication tasks in extension and development.
• Apply appropriate written communication formats (e.g., reports, proposals, newsletters) to convey information clearly.
• Demonstrate effective verbal communication techniques, including active listening and questioning, in group and one-on-one settings.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of own communication and adjust strategies to improve outcomes.
• Design communication materials that are culturally sensitive and accessible to target audiences.
• Implement feedback mechanisms to ensure two-way communication with stakeholders.

Target Audience

Extension officers, development practitioners, field workers, and any professionals who need to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders in community or agricultural development settings.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, learners should have basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Practicals provide hands-on experience in applying written and verbal communication skills in extension contexts. Learners will engage in role-plays, drafting documents, and delivering presentations to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

Practical Activities

• Verbal Communication and Role-Play — Learners participate in simulated extension scenarios, practicing active listening, questioning, and adapting language to diverse audiences. (12h)
• Written Document Drafting — Learners draft reports, proposals, letters, and emails based on real-world extension scenarios, with peer and facilitator review. (16h)
• Presentation and Facilitation — Learners prepare and deliver a short presentation with visual aids, and facilitate a group discussion on a development topic. (12h)
• Integrated Communication Plan — Learners develop a comprehensive communication plan for an extension program, integrating all skills learned. (8h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.