Syllabus

Unit I: Introduction to Communication Skills 10 Lectures

1. Concept of Communication
2. Types of Communication
3. Communication Techniques (Passive, Assertive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive)
4. Barriers To Communication
5. 7C’s of Communication

Unit II: Listen and Speaking Skills 20 Lectures

A) Listening Skills

1. Purpose of Listening
2. Active And Passive Listening
3. Listening & analyzing
4. Listening & Writing

B) Speaking Skills

1. Enhancing vocabulary
2. Use of Idioms and Phrases
3. Basic Grammar (Sentence Framing)
4. Speaking In English (Self Introduction)
5. How to start conversation,
6. Question-Answering
7. Group Discussion
UNIT I

Human being lives in social conditions and communication is like any other basic
requirements for him to live. Communication means to impart to share, to inform,
to transfer, to convey some information ideas beliefs or to make something
common for all. Without communication human life cannot be imagined. We
communicate not just to share or interact, we interact to relieve stress, to come
close and be friend to others.

1. Concept of Communication

Communication is a complex interpersonal or intrapersonal activity which

involves both, the communicator and the receiver. For any activity in social
scenario communication is must and because of communication mankind achieved
success in all the fields. Had he not been able to communicate effectively, the
phenomena could have been different.

English word Communication is derived from Latin term Communis which

means to make something common, to transmit or to share. To make something
common is done by sharing and interacting with everyone or not keeping it as a
secret.

When I talk about communication, it does not mean only words but through sign
symbols colors codes pictures physical gestures eye expressions sounds facial
expressions gestures postures and so on, many things gets communicated
automatically. Communicator should ensure that communication establishes
effectively with the help of these to impart the exact meaning to the receiver.

Understanding Communication it is necessary to understand what the features of

communications are. There are four features of communications. Communication
is an ongoing process which process further with the proper feedback received by
the sender. If there is a positive feedback the sender sends a new message or
communicates further. If the feedback is negative the sender has to modify his
ways or change his ways to communicates so as the purpose meaning or concept of
the communication may be attained.
 Communication is always interactive. It cannot be dull or one sided, If it is so it
cannot be termed as two way communication. It will be a monologue where in only
one is speaking and others are idle to the meaning and concept of that. A small nod
as a part of understanding or a blink of eye also makes communication interactive.
This also acts as feedback for the sender to go ahead.

Communication should always be meaning full. Nonsense talks or stupid

actions cannot be termed as communication. Logical sensible meaning should be
incorporated in communication.

Communication should always be complete and whole; no gap fill should be let
loose or allowed to indicate second or dubious meaning. If it happens meaning
depends on the perception of the receiver or the intent of the receiver. This
incompletes communication as the feedback will not be what it should be.

Communication is a full cycle which starts from sender to receiver and ends
with feedback back to sender. This is called the process of communication or the
same is known as communication cycle. Technically the sender is known as the
Encoder and the receiver is known as decoder and feedback return back to sender
in the form of feedback either negative or positive. Feedback is the end result of
any communication. If the feedback is positive it reflects that communication was
effective and if the feedback is negative it indicates to the lacunas, barriers or
obstacles in the communication.
 Sender

Feedback Receiver

A good communication is always a two way interactive process. Two way

process it is said when the communication is understood by the receiver and the
action is initiated as per the understanding. Understanding should be one such
which is also defined or imagined. If the second meaning is taken it also indicate
don’t the wholesome communication.

Face to face communication is considered the best as it establishes the eye

contact and other features also help better establishment of communication.

These barriers are the hindrances in the communication cycles.

2. Types of Communication

Communication does not mean only saying through words. Communication can be
done by many other ways. At times words do not communicate what a sign, color
picture or graph communicates. A word has a single meaning and with the word
only that concept or meaning can be taken. Whereas nonverbal communication
such as facial expressions or gestures communicate the other hidden meaning as
well. Communication can be Verbal or Nonverbal. Verbal can be written or oral
through words. Nonverbal are facial expressions, gestures, body languages
( Kinesics), sign symbols, graphs, charts, color and posters. Silence is also
nonverbal communication. Its sounds as a paradoxes but at times silence
communicates everything what a words cannot do.

Oral communications is done by spoken words. Conversations, conferences,

speeches interviews, public speaking, telephone talks, radio speeches all are forms
of oral communication.

Face to face communication is also considered important as it has advantage of

giving facial expressions or gestures and the feedbacks can also be attained by
these. At times some unpleasant occurrences happen and the person becomes
conscious in that situation.

3. Communication Techniques

(Passive, Assertive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive)

Every human being is different and the differences are apparent in their
communication styles or pattern. It may be said that a person and his personality
can be understood the way he communicates in his peer groups and senior. A
person with different attributes communicates differently and the feedback also
depends the way he communicates.

There are four patterns or styles of communication, Passive, Aggressive, Assertive

and passive-aggressive. The attributes of these and the understanding of these
features will help in understanding a person the way they communicate. Assertive
communicator is the most successful. A good teacher or an orator or public speaker
is that who possess all these qualities and connects to the audience or students with
the features of 7 C’s.

A. Assertive Communication Techniques

Assertive style is considered the most successful way to communicate. An

Assertive communicator is that who connects and understands everyone. Assertive
communicator respects everyone and in return receives respects from every one.
He is always energetic enthusiastic and keeps everyone involved in
communication. He neither bullies nor becomes a part of such activity. He believes
in every one and keeps motivating others. He has self-esteem and boosts others
self-esteem. He is self-motivated and keeps motivating others as well. He is very
good listener, confident, open, flexible, versatile and has a good sense of humor.
He is never judgmental. He is real, fair, playful and consistent. He trusts others and
is always direct in his approach to others. He never deceives any one. He maintains
eye contacts confident attentive and keeps good facial gestures and postures.

B. Aggressive Communication Techniques

Aggressive is just the opposite of the assertive communicator. He is loud and

empty. He communicates loudly that is why is never able to connect with people.
He is closed minded and never listens to other. He imposes his thoughts on others.
He monopolizes and let others down in case he is not followed. He is never
amicable with others. He is bossy and his attitude hurts himself and others around
him. He is rigid and gets angry easily. Because of his behavior he pays a lot and
heavy price in his relationships.

C. Passive Communication Techniques

A passive communicator lacks self-confidence. He is never able to connect. He

believes more in others rather than him. He fails to express his beliefs, thoughts
and feelings. He tries to play safe rather than confronting others. He agrees to
everyone. He is always apologetic. He ignores avoids and agrees to everything. He
feels powerless in and out because of lack of confidence. He easily gives up
everything and is mocked and ridiculed by everyone around. He is being taken for
granted by people around him.

D. Passive-aggressive Communication Techniques

It’s a character trait where in a person sounds passive on surface but lacks power
within. They talk behind or whisper rather than talk in front. They appear
cooperative but behave differently on their back. These people do damage the
image of person silently. They spread rumors. They talk indirect and always
hesitant to speak up. They are self-centered. They may appear cordial but actually
are not.

4. Barriers to Communication

Barriers refer to obstacles in communication. The entire process is surrounded by

many types of barriers. These barriers lead to misunderstanding and
misconceptions. Most of the barriers can be addressed and they can be avoided
except those which are hindrance in understanding. These barriers are different in
nature and feedback gets affected because of barriers. Barriers can be in sender’s
way of addressing and communication. There can be barriers in receiver’s
psychology or perceptions. There can be barriers in the environment in controlled
or uncontrolled conditions. These barriers can be understood as the inner or outer
obstacles. There are many types of barriers. For the basic understanding of barriers,
it can be understood as the one to be controlled and beyond control.

Language, psychology, physical, emotional, culture, religion, noise, perception,

gender, technology and environmental all these are barriers. Some of these can
only be addressed by senders and some are to be addressed by receiver to reach a
positive feedback may be through words or via gestures.
If the language is not understandable by the receiver, the end result as the feedback
will not be positive as the receiver does not understand the language sender is
placing messages on.

If the receiver is emotionally distraught or in pain or his perception to the person is

not good, the message or the language may be perfect but because of the
psychological aspect, the understanding about the message will be less and the
feedback will not be positive.

If it’s too hot, too cold or very noisy these to some extents can be addressed by
switching off fans or turning them on if it too hot or the same in visa versa
conditions.

If some drilling work is in progress that can also be stopped or postponed to avoid
the obstacles in understandings.

Perceptions, psychical, emotions or psychological barriers are the one that no one
else can control except the self, may be a sender or a receiver. These may be
referred as the personal barriers too.

Cultural and religious barriers are way beyond discussion and address if rigidity is
there. Any trait which is forcefully, unwillingly imposed or inflicted, this will act
as a barrier in understanding as it may act as hindrance. Or cross cultural traits if
they are not in acceptable terms can be psychological barriers for understanding or
listening.
5. 7C’s of Communication

7 C’s are the words starting with C to make communication better and effective.
These all help in making communication effective, pleasant and applicable to
everyone. Every good orator or public speaker will possess these qualities and will
incorporate these in his speech.

Clear (Clarity about the concept)

Concise (Not very lengthy)

Correct (Right information)

Concrete (No aggravated language, tangible words)

Complete (No gap fills or dubious words)

Coherence (Co relations in sentences)

Courteous (Considerate, language understandable to everyone)