MILTON MARGAI COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY

CONGO CROSS CAMPUS

ASSIGNMENT – COMMUNICATION SKILLS

SUBMITTED BY:

NAME: ALPHA AMADU BINTY KAMARA

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?
Communication is simply the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another.

Communication is the act of conveying information or ideas through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or
information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. It is a process that allows individuals or groups
to share and understand information and ideas.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

Facilitating understanding and sharing information: Effective communication allows individuals to share and
receive information clearly and efficiently, promoting understanding and reducing the potential for confusion
or misinterpretation.

Building and maintaining relationships: Communication is essential for building and maintaining relationships,
both personal and professional. It allows individuals to connect, build trust, and establish mutual understanding.

Persuasion and influence: Effective communication enables individuals to present their ideas and opinions in a
convincing manner, promoting influence and persuasion in both personal and professional contexts.

Facilitating decision making: Clear and effective communication is crucial for making informed decisions, both
individually and as a group. It allows individuals to share and consider multiple perspectives, leading to better-
informed and more effective decisions.

Conflict resolution: Communication plays a crucial role in resolving conflicts, whether they are personal or
professional. It allows individuals to express their concerns and needs, as well as to understand and address the
concerns and needs of others.

Teamwork and collaboration: Communication is essential for successful teamwork and collaboration. It enables
individuals to work together effectively, share ideas and responsibilities, and achieve common goals.

Emotional expression and management: Communication plays an important role in emotional expression and
management. It allows individuals to express their feelings, understand the feelings of others, and manage their
own emotional responses.

Achieving personal and organizational goals: Effective communication is crucial for achieving personal and
organizational goals. It allows individuals to share and receive information, build and maintain relationships,
make informed decisions, and work together effectively, all of which are essential for achieving success.

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

There are several types of communication, including:

Verbal communication: This type of communication uses spoken words to convey a message. It can be either
face-to-face or through electronic devices such as phones and computers.

Nonverbal communication: This type of communication uses body language, facial expressions, and tone of
voice to convey a message.

Written communication: This type of communication uses written words, such as emails, letters, and text
messages, to convey a message.

Visual communication: This type of communication uses images, videos, and graphics to convey a message.

Interpersonal communication: This type of communication is the process of exchanging information, feelings,
and meaning through verbal and nonverbal messages between two or more people.

Mass communication: This type of communication is the process of disseminating information to a large
audience through various forms of media such as newspapers, television, and the internet.

Intrapersonal communication: This type of communication is the process of internal dialogue and self-talk that
individuals use to understand and regulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

There are several barriers to communication that can impede the transmission of information and
understanding. Some of the most common barriers include:

Language: A difference in language or lack of fluency in a shared language can make communication difficult.

Noise: Background noise or other distractions can make it hard to hear or understand what is being said.

Emotions: Strong emotions such as anger, fear, or frustration can prevent a person from listening or
communicating effectively.

Physical barriers: Physical barriers such as distance, lack of technology, or a person’s disability can make
communication difficult.

Cultural barriers: Differences in culture, customs, or beliefs can create misunderstandings and make it difficult
to communicate effectively.

Semantic barriers: Misinterpretation or lack of understanding of the message being conveyed.

Perceptual barriers: The way we perceive things are different, so it can cause a different interpretation of the
message.

Time and place barriers: Unsuitable time or place for the conversation can cause a barrier in communication.
Organizational structure: Unclear roles and responsibilities within an organization can lead to confusion and
communication breakdowns.

Personal barriers: Prejudice, bias, or lack of attention can also serve as barriers to effective communication.

ESSAY WRITING ON THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNICATION

Communication is a vital aspect of human life. It is the process of transmitting information, ideas, and messages
between individuals or groups. Effective communication is essential for building and maintaining relationships,
achieving goals, and making decisions.

The process of communication involves several components, including the sender, the message, the medium,
the receiver, and the feedback. The sender is the person who originates the message and the receiver is the
person who receives it. The message is the information that is being communicated, while the medium is the
means by which the message is conveyed, such as spoken or written language, gestures, or symbols. Feedback
is the response or reaction of the receiver to the message, which is used to evaluate the success of the
communication.

There are several types of communication, including verbal and nonverbal. Verbal communication is the use of
spoken or written language to convey meaning, while nonverbal communication involves the use of body
language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to convey meaning. Both types of communication are important
and can complement or contradict each other. For example, a person who is saying one thing with their words
but their body language is saying something else can create confusion.

Effective communication requires the sender to clearly express their message and the receiver to understand
it. This can be achieved through the use of simple language, appropriate tone, and active listening. Active
listening involves paying attention to what the other person is saying and providing verbal or nonverbal cues to
indicate that the message is being received and understood.

In conclusion, communication is an essential aspect of human life. It is the process of transmitting information,
ideas, and messages between individuals or groups. Effective communication requires the sender to clearly
express their message and the receiver to understand it. It is important to note that there are different types of
communication, including verbal and nonverbal, and that both are important to convey meaning effectively.
Effective communication is essential for building and maintaining relationships, achieving goals, and making
decisions.