A widely accepted definition of pragmatics is the use of communication to interact effectively in changing groups of people, in different situations.  Transitioning out of high school in late teenage years challenges many students’ skills in pragmatics in important ways. At Odyssey School, we call our Career/College/Life skills class Pragmatics because we work with our juniors and seniors to prepare them to be proactive versus reactive when contemplating which path to take after they graduate.  Our students learn to study and take meaning from communication of promotional literature, symbols and signs, and of course, social situations in context. We explore possible opportunities for colleges or career choices so they can make the best decisions on which route to take.

Some examples of how we assist in their negotiation of life choices are: identifying strengths and skills, potential careers, household management skills, continuing education, and developing interpersonal skills. Students take numerous off-campus field trips where they are able to get some exposure to various work situations. Completing our Pragmatics class gives students experience and better understandings on how to meet basic requirements for employment, develop important skills needed to live with independence. We look at various ways to find continuing education opportunities, experience more ways to be a cooperative member of a group, and create a network of people/resources who can help them achieve their goals.

Many of our students ease, or jump, into the experience of college by actually going to college. Some decide to participate in a dual credit program with Austin Community College where they experience first hand the ups and downs of a college class. Being tasked with all aspects of enrollment, from completing the application, to taking the TSI assessment to figuring out how to gauge college readiness and explore options for classes and future majors gives them a practical advantage. Of course, all of these steps are supported by the Pragmatics team if/when needed. Students put into action how they’ve learned to advocate for themselves, plan the completion of assigned work, and communicate with their professors. These experiences certainly help reduce anxiety when considering the transition from high school.

One of the most important activities, as individuals within a group, is to create a menu together of dishes that will be prepared by the students. They select the recipe, adjust it to fit the number of people, and shop for the ingredients after deciding how much money they will need to purchase the items. Then it is all about cooking together in the Odyssey kitchen and sitting down to share good food and conversation, never to forget the that we must not forget the importance of cleaning up and sharing space. These are just a couple of the pragmatic opportunities students have to get a feeling for what life could be like after they graduate.