Types of Communication

Verbal communication
Verbal communication is the type of communication where information is
exchanged through verbal medium like words, speeches, etc. The tone, pitch and quality
of the words used by the speaker play a vital role, especially in interpersonal
communication.

Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication is when people exchange urgent information without
using words. It can be through facial expression, gestures, body postures that are often
voluntarily done. This is crucial in interpersonal relationships and plays a significant
role in formal situations as well.
Mass media communication is the information that mass media channels impart
to its viewers. The communication model is uniquely different in this context.

Effective Communication
The following can be considered as barriers to effective communication.

Noise Unorganised thoughts Lack of clarity in expression

Ignoring the receiver Effective Communication- Low pitch and tone

Cultural differences Avoiding feedback

1. Noise 2. Unorganised thoughts

3. Lack of clarity in
expression 4. Ignoring the receiver
5. Cultural differences
6. Low piteh and tone
7. Avoiding feedhack

How to Improve Communication

1. A good listener isgoom ommunicator
u
2.
Clarity in thought, content ind
3. xprension
Target audience decides the content of
4.
Maintaining eye contact, pausing
any communication.
effectively while speaking, asking
questions
 English for Communication

ndows ofof communi

communicatio that help connect
are
windov

is. not only a challenge but also. very people all over the
rewarding rocess.
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language
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orld.
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ifferent languages
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the
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our
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he curriculum, 18
uphill task
riculum, is not an uphill an
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subjects the lingua franca of many counttries
ther
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agies to cater to current needs.

and for interaction. Its widespread usage makes iit inevitable
uglish has
for emo
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to
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technolog and
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acrossthe nteractions
English has
interactions
as an globe, emerged essential
chnology
miim level of competence in the language. However, among most non
ra nroficiency in English has become a major obstacle, preventing them
native speakers, proficie

ahead in life.
from getting
o t creates these difficulties for the second language learners? What :

that a second language learners encounters?

ofthe hurdles

Learning the basics of any language is

an
exCiting and fun-filled activity, Drovided
about it. Activity based
learning helps the learner n
he learner is eager and passionate
his nrocess of acquiring the language. Learning language involves acquiring competency
a

in micro-skills and macro-skills. Macro-skills are the basic language skills- listening
sneaking, reading and writing. Micro-skills include pronunciation, vocabulary, spelling

and grammar.
Learning English by non-native speakers should start with the process of language
acquisition, like the mother-tongue, rather than language learning. Hence, the major
focus shall be on acquiring the primary skill i.e. listening. A native speaker learns the
language by listening to its utterances. The natural rhythms and patterns of intonation
are internalized through listening. Listening is a conscious activity and requires the
listener to actively get involved in it. It requires focus, attention and a willingness to
Tecejve the message. Without active listening, it will be nearly impossible to learn à

ianguage
LIBening to English language helps a learner understand not only the u s i e ot the
language but also other subtleties like pronunciation which involves stress an intonatot
Lstening extensively to English enables the learner in the acquisition otfthelangugis an

o other language activities like speaking, reading and writing Speaking

active skill the learner. It
requires commitment from
kthat a sincere involvement and
mands basic lin and a desire to master
language
the language
strong
ll mpetency
wgve the desired resuls. Sinee English is an acquired language
E 8peaker of Tnglish, reuding and writing skills have rereived moreatte
rooms. In the altered reality«of theoverwhelming presence ofinternet,1anglg
learning can be made easier by
the language. the opportunities the
web provides
in learning
pOing
 Module VIT
Soft skills
UnitX
Lesson
Body speaks more eloquently than words. People comprehend through observing
the speaker rather than merely listening to the words spoken loudly. Soft skills are abo
working on your personality, your behavior patterns, your communicative sk+lls and
inter-personalskills. You may not be getting grades for your soft skills as against your
hard skills which involve direct evaluation methods. Soft skills become more crucial
because it involve your emotional and social intelligence as well.
Soft skills are developed over a period of time, through life situations and social
interactions. Nature and nurture play equally important roles in this context. As an aduit
one can improve one's life skills by becoming aware of one's self and working towards
correeting them. Soft skills can be developed through constant practice and repeated
atterns of behavior will get ingrained into a person's character.
A student ought to take a look at the mirror before she starts working on her sofA
skills. You can talk to the mirror or read out loud in front of the mirror. Do vou look
confident? Do you look sure of yourself? Non-verbal communication helps vou oonver
very effectively and one has to master it to become successful in life.
Let us look at a few elements that can be corrected through practice: Postur. Eye
9ntact and Gestures
Posture
A major skill to be internalized is your postur. lt is imyortant to
look confident.A confident person will stand straight andwith shoulies
held straight. This posture lills the hungs witlh more ongen ani maas
you look more energetie. Walk with head held high. do not slouch orLok
down while you walk into an interview room. While auddressng a
guthering the postureshould be a contident one wiühees on ug adnut
he ball. Your posture communieates ver Cmphatual{r and a guni
wth
" is whiat we want to conver alway N. DetensiN pustuns
"Tedd er slressed pontures with pmlms elenehed or teet shutdlung will u t e a
prrusion. One canadopt a contident osture al all times. This can be done
held high. Aruns
y I r eyenat the levelfthe eye, ahoulderstraight and head
an
unieatio. PNistunal erhoing n be
a n d can be UNed minially to ail co
l forftive interp"ronal commmnieativ
 116 L a g l u g C dAl1s.

Gestures

of the arms, face and eyes to

Gestures are movements
done knowingly o r
communicate something. This may be
be forced, they should
unknowingly. Your gestures should not
appear natural and spontaneous.
Hands should not be kept hidden
in your pockets, or be fidgeting, or crossed or tied behind your
the conversation using them
back orgripping on to the podium. They should aid in
be
out the wrong signals and
minimally but effectively. Frequent confusing gestures give
hence one has to practice the right gestures to become an
effective communicator.

Eye Contact
In
Eyes are great communicators and one has to look confident and positive. a

one-to-one conversation, eye contact tells you if the listener is listening. Shifting eyes
one but maintain
denote lack of interest in your conversation. One should not stare at any
a steady gaze while the other person is talking. In a group or while addressing a larger
with the listeners.
audience, has to look around evenly. This helps to build a rapport
one
to keep a steady
Eyes can give you away, if you are afraid or insecure. So train yourself
as wellas helps build trust.
gaze. Proper eye contact reflects your sincerity and integrity
of communication where
Apart from direct conversations, there are also methods
presence of the individual is not
in a telephone conversation.
required as
the physical
Here one has to be very cautious and develop an effective strategy

Telephone etiquette
Telephone conversations are very tricky since the
communication is done verbally
with no access to reading the body language. So one has to be very cautious about the
tone, pace, loudness and clarity.

1 Always identify yourselfat the beginning ofa call. This saves a lot of confusion.
2.
2.
Tone of your voice should be confident and positive. If it is a formal call. sit up
straight before you answer it.
3. Do not carry on side conversations while you are on the phone. You should not
distract yourself doing other chores while speaking on the phone. This shows
disrespect to the caller.
4. Keep an even pace while you talk. Ifyou talk to slow or too fast, the caller may
not be able to understund the message clearly.

5. Clarity of your voice is essential. Work on it by reading passages loudly and

evaluating it.
6. Try to keep telephone calls briel. Iengthy calls are not proper, especially in a
work place.
7. It is not polite to let your mobile phones ring loudly while at a meeting, or in
fact, in publie places like restaurants, theut res, training rooms, offices and so on.
 Netiquette
Internet is a world of its own, helping people to connect with one
another and offers a certain level of anonymity as well. But appropriate
behavior on the net is very important, cspeciallyif you are doing your official
g communication overthe net. Companies do check up on the social profiles
of prospective employees to access their social behavior skills. So it is
imperative that as civilized human beings, we need to adhere to basic rules of
communication while sending mails or messages over the internet.

1. Be what you are in real space.

2.
2 Do not write the whole message in block letters.
33. Be formal except when you are communicating with your family or friends. Do
not use informal abbreviated forms of words in the mail, if it is a formal one.
4. Use reader-friendly fonts and colours.
5. Use language which is proper and polite.
6.
6. Respect the other person, do not abuse his time by sending lengthy mails or
messages.

Interpersonal Skills
We live in communities and are constantly communicating with one another.
Though we use language for communication, while speaking, we use our body as well
Interpersonal relationships thrive or die due to the unconscious use of our body while
speaking. So be aware of what your body speaks. We can improve relationships by a
conscious programming of our gestures and action. While speaking to another person.
one should pay attention to the speaker. Stay focused and carry the conversation forward
with appropriate questions. Do not yawn or keep glancing at your watch. Allow others
to speak and listen while they speak. Listening is the most inmportant activity in building
good relationships.
Mobile phones with internet connection can be converted into an excellent tool for
learning English language. One has to be judicious in its use and not get distracted by
he countless websites and social media
net works.
Use the dictionaries online to learn spelling and grammar.
Use the pronunciation assistance available on the net. There will be seript as well
8 audio recording of words online.
Use it to record your conversation and listen to correct it yourselt. It ean provide
eT'sonalised environment for language learning.