Lecture Notes: Communication Skills

Introduction

• Definition: Communication skills refer to the ability to speak and write effectively.
• Importance: Good communication involves proper vocabulary, eye contact, and articulation for speakers, and effective use of words for writers.
• Components of Communication:
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Listening
• Role of Language: Knowing multiple languages, especially English, enhances global communication.
• Relevance: Essential in occupations and business setups.

Session 1: Introduction to Communication

What is Communication?

• Originates from Latin 'communicare', meaning to share.
• Involves sharing information to reach a common understanding.

Importance

• Helps in relationships, informing, influencing, and expressing feelings.

Elements of Communication

• Two-way process: Giving (speaking, writing) and Receiving (listening, reading) information.

Perspectives in Communication

• Ideas and views can affect communication.
• Barriers include language, visual perception, past experience, prejudice, feelings, environment, personal factors, and culture.

Effective Communication (7 Cs)

• Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete, Courteous.
• Includes non-verbal, verbal, and visual methods.

Session Activities

• Role plays and group discussions on communication processes and barriers.

Session 2: Verbal Communication

Importance

• Main method of communication, requires correct word usage.

Types

• Oral Communication: Face-to-face, phone, public speaking.
• Written Communication: Letters, emails, SMS, etc.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Quick and easy but can be hindered by cultural differences and word choice.

Public Speaking

• Use 3Ps: Prepare, Practice, Perform.

Session 3: Non-verbal Communication

Importance

• Comprises body language, expressions, gestures, and voice control.

Types

• Facial expressions, posture, gestures, touch, space, eye contact, paralanguage.

Visual Communication

• Uses images for communication, easy to understand across cultures.

Session 4: Writing Skills: Parts of Speech

Components

• Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs: Essential for sentence structure.
• Supporting Parts: Articles, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections.

Importance

• Using proper punctuation and capitalization.

Session 5: Writing Skills: Sentences

Structure

• Subject, Verb, Object.
• Direct and Indirect objects.

Sentence Types

• Active vs Passive voice.
• Declarative, Interrogative, Exclamatory, Imperative sentences.

Session 6: Pronunciation Basics

Importance

• Correct pronunciation is essential for clear communication.

Phonetics

• Study of sounds; involves vowels, diphthongs, consonants.

Session 7: Greetings and Introductions

Types of Greetings

• Formal: Used with seniors and in formal settings.
• Informal: Used with friends and family.

Introducing Yourself

• Share name, hometown, activities, etc.

Session 8: Talking about Self

Components

• Name, age, hometown, likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses.

Filling Forms

• Personal information like name, date of birth, address.

Session 9: Asking Questions I

Importance

• Necessary for gaining information and clarity.

5W+1H Method

• Who, Where, When, What, Why, How.

Session 10: Asking Questions II

Types

• Close-ended: Yes/No answers.
• Open-ended: Detailed answers.

Framing Questions

• Use auxiliary verbs for close-ended questions.
• Use question words for open-ended questions.