The four macro-communication skills are:
-Listening
-Talking
-Reading
-Writing
The four are inter-connected, and vital for all kinds of learning and communication.
In a university environment we can see examples of where are four would be used on a daily basis by considering different forms of learning.
In a lecture, students are required to listen to the speaker and interpret the messages they are discussing. A presentation dictates that a student needs to speak to an audience, usually of fellow peers and tutors. An essay or other academic document demonstrates a written understanding of a subject, and ongoing learning and development takes place through reading.
These are completely separate disciplines though, and are undoubtedly connected. To knowledge required to write an essay is informed by listening in lectures, reading books and research, and talking in seminars and presentations.