Unit 1
Communication Skills
Introduction to Communication
Communication is the ‘sharing’ of information between two or more
individuals. The word ‘communication’ comes from the Latin word ‘commūnicāre’, meaning ‘to
share’.
Importance of Communication
The ability to communicate clearly and share thoughts, feelings and ideas
will help you:
To keep good relations with other people.
To inform – the time of meeting, time of exams, train timings etc
To Influence – negotiating with a shopkeeper etc.
To Express feelings – happiness in your successes etc.
to communicate well with people around the world, if we know more than one
language.
Elements of Communication
Communication is a two-way process of sharing information – giving and receiving.
Speaking and writing to someone are examples of giving information.
Reading and listening to someone are examples of receiving information.
Perspectives in Communication
Perspectives are ideas, views, or fixed ways of thinking. These sometimes affect
communication by stop us, from sharing and understanding messages.
Factors Affecting Perspectives in Communication
Factor How the factor becomes a barrier?
- use of incorrect words
- unfamiliar language
Language - lack of detailing
- E.g. – An Indian who only knows Hindi and a Chinese who only knows
Mandarin want to interact with each other.
Visual - Judging people or situations by how they look.
Perception - E.g. – A man wearing torn clothes is poor.
- Earlier experience stops us from understanding or communicating
Past Experience clearly.
- E.g. – “This shopkeeper cheated me last time. Let me be careful.”
- Fixed ideas or thoughts.
Prejudice - E.g. – thinking “No one in my class listens to me” may stop a student
from communicating openly in the class.
- Our feelings and emotions, such as lack of interest or not trusting the
Feelings other person affect communication.
- E.g. – “I am sad. Let me not talk.”
- Noise or disturbance in the surroundings.
Environment
- E.g. – Speaking while walking on road.
- Our feelings, habits and ways of thinking
Personal factors
- E.g. – fear, low confidence etc.
- Signs which have a different meaning in different cultures.
Culture - E.g. – showing a thumb may mean ‘good job’ for some people but
may be insulting to others
Effective Communication
The basic principles of professional communication skills help in effective communication.
These can be abbreviated as 7 Cs.
Clear – Be clear about what you want to say and write.
Concise – Use simple words and say only what is needed.
Concrete – Use exact words, phrases. Use facts and figures.
Correct – Use correct spellings, language and grammar.
Coherent – Use sensible words and should be related to the main topic.
Complete – Your message should have all the needed information.
Courteous – Be respectful, friendly and honest.
Activity - I
Assignment: 1 — Prepare a paper on ‘Why is it important to communicate clearly?’ (List the
important points with explanation)
Assignment: 2 — Chart Making on Elements of Communication
(Make a chart showing the elements of communication in the communication cycle or
communication process)
Assignment: 3 — Find the answers of the following questions and write down it in your note book.
A. Multiple choice questions
1. What is the purpose of communication?
(a) Inform (tell someone about something)
(b) Influence (get someone to do something you want)
(c) Share thoughts, ideas, feelings
(d) All of the above
2. Which of the following method is used to receive information from the sender?
(a) Listening
(b) Speaking
(c) Telling
(d) Writing
3. By which action can a sender send his or her messages?
(a) Listening
(b) Speaking
(c) Sleeping
(d) None of the above
B. Match the Following
Column A Column B
Communication Barriers Examples
A. Taking an official call on your mobile where
1. Language
the mobile phone reception is poor
B. Hugging a person in a foreign country where
2. Emotional
such an act is rude and disrespectful
C. Talking in Hindi when others know only
3. Environmental
German
D. Teacher is too angry and is not willing to
4. Cultural accept any reason from a student who is
late for an examination
C. Subjective Question
1. Write down the seven factors affecting perspectives in communication. Provide
examples, explaining how each factor affects communication.
