Topic 1 THE NATURE OF ORAL COMMUNICATION I.

Learning Objectives: After completing the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. describe the nature of oral communication; 2. explain the importance of communication; and 3. demonstrate different non-verbal cues. II. Introduction: The Nature of Oral Communication At its most basic level, oral communication is the spoken interaction between two or more people. However, what we intend to teach you is that the interaction is far more complex than it seems. Oral communication is composed of multiple elements which, when taken as a whole, result in the success or failure of the interaction. Communication is the process of sharing our ideas, thoughts, and feelings with other people and having those ideas, thoughts, and feelings understood by the people we are talking with. When we communicate we speak, listen, and observe. Not everyone is an effective communicator. The way we communicate is a learned style. As children we learn from watching our parents and other adults communicate. As an adult we can learn to improve the way we communicate by observing others who communicate effectively, learning new skills, and practicing those skills. In order to function successfully academically and professionally, you need to learn effective oral communication skills. For many, conversational speech comes naturally. However, in more formal speech, effective communication skills are essential. A poorly conducted interview, sales presentation, or legal argument could have ramifications that affect many more people than yourself. By becoming an effective communicator you will be able to conduct yourself in a variety of personal, professional, and academic environments with confidence. Oral communication is a unique and learned rhetorical skill that requires you to understand what you say and how you say it. Unlike conversational speech, speech in more formal environments does not come naturally. What you will learn is how to critically think about how you present yourself as a speaker in all occasions and then how to function in a variety of speaking environments. The ability to effectively communicate at work, home, and in life is probably one of the most important sets of skills a person needs. What would our life and world be like without communication? We cannot get along without it. It is also not easy, and we all have probably had experiences where our communication failed or ran into a barrier. So, if we can understand the communication process better and improve it, we will become a more effective and successful communicator. III. Discussion:

A. What is Communication? Communication is a learned skill. Most people are born with the physical ability to talk, but we must learn to speak well and communicate effectively. Speaking, listening, and our ability to understand verbal and nonverbal meanings are skills we develop in various ways. We learn basic communication skills by observing other people and modeling our behaviors based on what we see. We also are taught some communication skills directly through education, and by practicing those skills and having them evaluated. Communication as an academic discipline relates to all the ways we communicate, so it embraces a large body of study and knowledge. The communication discipline includes both

verbal and nonverbal messages. The field of communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication. B. Why is Communication Important? Oral communication has long been our main method for communicating with one another. It is estimated that 75% of a persons day is spent communicating in some way. A majority of your communication time may be spent speaking and listening, while a minority of that time is spent reading and writing. These communication actions reflect skills which foster personal, academic, and professional success. Employers have ranked communication abilities first among the desirable personal qualities of future employees (1998). In a report on fastest growing careers, the U.S. Department of Labor states that communication skills will be in demand across occupations well into the next century. In a national survey of 1000 human resource managers, oral communication skills are identified as valuable for both obtaining employment and successful job performance. Executives with Fortune 500 companies indicate that college students need better communication skills, as well as the ability to work in teams and with people from diverse backgrounds. Case studies of high-wage companies also state that essential skills for future workers include problem solving, working in groups, and the ability to communicate effectively. When 1000 faculty members from a cross section of disciplines were asked to identify basic competencies for every college graduate, skills in communicating topped the list. Even an economics professor states that, . . . we are living in a communications revolution comparable to the invention of printing . . . In an age of increasing talk, it is wiser talk we need most. Communication studies might well be central to colleges and universities in the 21st century. Today, communication and its study are especially relevant. In the 21st century, contemporary society is increasingly diverse and communication is more complex. Many also are stressing the role of communication and citizenship in a civil and democratic society. Frequently, the communication discipline is referred to as the engaged discipline, as a result of teachers and students participation in service learning projects and researchers concern for community-based research on critical social issues. What was once seen as the field of speech and rhetoric is now the discipline of communication that includes communication in the workplace, in families, in mass media, and in advertising, to name a few. Contemporary students of communication draw on theories and practices common in the fields of anthropology, psychology, sociology, linguistics, semiotics, and rhetoric. Students in broadcast communication make use of work in computer engineering for web development and streaming audio and video. Communication as a discipline now includes interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural and international, public, mass, and mediated communication. The study of communication considers how people communicate as individuals, in society, and in various cultures. C. Types of Communication Read on to find out about the different types of communication...

If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now. ~ Woodrow Wilson Communication is a process that involves exchange of information, thoughts, ideas and emotions. Communication is a process that involves a sender who encodes and sends the

message, which is then carried via the communication channel to the receiver where the receiver decodes the message, processes the information and sends an appropriate reply via the same communication channel. Types of Communication Communication can occur via various processes and methods, channel used and the style of communication there can be various types of communication. Types of Communication Based on Communication Channels Based on the channels used for communicating, the process of communication can be broadly classified as verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication includes written and oral communication whereas the non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expressions and visuals diagrams or pictures used for communication.

Verbal Communication Verbal communication is further divided into written and oral communication. The oral communication refers to the spoken words in the communication process. Oral communication can either be face-to-face communication or a conversation over the phone or on the voice chat over the Internet. Spoken conversations or dialogs are influenced by voice modulation, pitch, volume and even the speed and clarity of speaking. The other type of verbal communication is written communication. Written communication can be either via snail mail, or email. The effectiveness of written communication depends on the style of writing, vocabulary used, grammar, clarity and precision of language.

Nonverbal Communication Non-verbal communication includes the overall body language of the person who is speaking, which will include the body posture, the hand gestures, and overall body movements. The facial expressions also play a major role while communication since the expressions on a persons face say a lot about his/her mood. On the other hand gestures like a handshake, a smile or a hug can independently convey emotions. Non verbal communication can also be in the form of pictorial representations, signboards, or even photographs, sketches and paintings.

Types of Communication Based on Style and Purpose Based on the style of communication, there can be two broad categories of communication, which are formal and informal communication that have their own set of characteristic features.

Formal Communication Formal communication includes all the instances where communication has to occur in a set formal format. Typically this can include all sorts of business communication or corporate communication. The style of communication in this form is very formal and official. Official conferences, meetings and written memos and corporate letters are used for communication. Formal communication can also occur between two strangers when they meet for the first time. Hence formal communication is straightforward, official and always precise and has a stringent and rigid tone to it.

Informal Communication Informal communication includes instances of free unrestrained communication between people who share a casual rapport with each other. Informal communication requires two people to have a similar wavelength and hence occurs between friends and family. Informal communication does not have any rigid rules and guidelines. Informal conversations need not necessarily have boundaries of time, place or even subjects for

that matter since we all know that friendly chats with our loved ones can simply go on and on.

Types of Nonverbal Communication According to experts, a substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Every day, we respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye gaze, gestures, and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal who we are and impact how we relate to other people. Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication of Charles Darwins The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Since that time, there has been an abundance of research on the types, effects, and expression of unspoken communication and behavior. While these signals are often so subtle that we are not consciously aware of them, research has identified several different types of nonverbal communication. 1. Facial Expression Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout the world. 2. Gestures Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate number amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture. 3. Para-linguistics Para-linguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest. 4. Body Language and Posture Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language has grown significantly since the 1970s, but popular media have focused on the overinterpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after the publication of Julius Fasts book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive that previously believed. 5. Proxemics People often refer to their need for personal space, which is also an important type of nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. For example, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet.

6. Eye Gaze Looking, staring, and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviors. When people encounter people or things that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can indicate a range of emotions, including hostility, interest, and attraction. 7.Haptics Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry Harlows classic monkey study demonstrated how the deprivation of touch and contact impedes development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior and social interaction. 8. Dress and Appearance Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles, and other factors affecting appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has demonstrated that different colors can invoke different moods. Appearance can also alter physiological reactions, judgment, and interpretations.

Lesson 2 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS I. Learning Objectives: After completing the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. describe the different stages in the process of oral communication; 2. identify the elements of communication involved in the process; and 3. explain the communication process via a model.

II. Introduction Effective Communication: A good working definition for effective communication is to share meaning and understanding between the person sending the message and the person receiving the message. The key element is understanding.

II. DISCUSSION A. Steps in the Communication Process The communication process is a simple model that demonstrates all the factors that can affect communication. Communication is effective if the message that is received is the same one that is sent.

Communication Process and the Key Elements: Tell students to look at the communication loop. Explain that the Communication Process breaks down effective communication into the following steps:

1. SENDER The communicator or sender is the person who is sending the message. There are two factors that will determine how effective the communicator will be. The first factor is the communicators attitude. It must be positive. The second factor is the communicators selection of meaningful symbols, or selecting the right symbols depending on your audience and the right environment. Talk about a few wrong examples. Question: Name some of the ways we communicate. Anticipated Responses: Talking, speaking Writing Pictures, symbols, diagrams, charts, etc.

2. MESSAGE A communication in writing, in speech, or by signals

3. RECEIVER The receiver is simply the person receiving the message, making sense of it, or understanding and translating it into meaning. Now think about this for a moment: the receiver is also a communicator. How can that be? (When receiver responds, he is then the communicator.) Communication is only successful when the reaction of the receiver is that which the communicator intended. Effective communication takes place with shared meaning and understanding.

4. FEEDBACK Feedback is that reaction I just mentioned. It can be a verbal or nonverbal reaction or response. It can be external feedback (something we see) or internal feedback (something we cant see), like

Note: Its the feedback that allows the communicator to adjust his message and be more effective. Without feedback, there would be no way of knowing if meaning had been shared or if understanding had taken place. Communication is a two-way process. The information goes out to a person on the other end. There is a sender and a receiver. Effective communication is getting your message across to the receiver. It is the senders responsibility to make sure that the receiver gets the message and that the message received is the one sent. Communicating is not an isolated series of one skill, it involves several skills. For example, speaking involves not only getting your message across but also being able to listen and understand what others are saying (active listening) and observing the verbal and nonverbal clues in order to monitor the effectiveness of your message.