Effective communication

"There are three basic skills that students need if they want to thrive in a
knowledge economy: the ability to do critical thinking and problem-solving; the
ability to communicate effectively; and the ability to collaborate."

~ Dr. Tony Wagner

Communication is the art and process of creating and sharing ideas, and
Communication skills are the tools that we use to remove the barriers to effective
communication (28)

Effective communication depends on the richness of those ideas and the use of
communication skills to convey a message so that receivers understand both
emotions and intentions.

In a day to day life, students are expected to have a conversation with their
classmates, teachers, and so on.

Asking your teacher questions, having fun with classmates, participating in dorm
room Shenanigans, and playing a simple game to pass our time can lead to
conflict unless we develop effective communication skills.

We say one thing, the other person hears something else, and misunderstandings,
frustration, and conflicts ensue.

Elements of Face-to-Face Communication (28):

Our tone of voice accounts for about 35-40 percent of our messages.

Body language: Over half of the message that we are sending to others is non-
verbal.

Word: The third communication element is verbal communication. Believe it or

not, word is the least impactful element in face-to-face communication.
According to WHO, effective communication is when verbal and non-verbal
communication is the same: difficulties arise when words contradict our
nonverbal behavior (1).

8 Tips to Teach Effective Communication Skills1

Empathy
Students need to develop empathy and understand what the other person is
thinking and feeling. When students start to see that their viewpoint isn’t the only
one, they become better listeners and speak more respectfully to others.

Teach Conversation Skills

It’s important to model how to have a productive conversation through video
modeling, where professional actors model examples and non-examples of
communication skills.

Establish Listening and Speaking Procedures

Dr. Allen Mendler of Edutopia suggests " identifying conversation procedures that
include appropriate non-verbal behavior. For example, you might teach a strategy
like S.L.A.N.T. (Sit up straight. Listen. Answer and ask questions. Nod to show
interest. Track the speaker.)”.

Teach Respectful Vocabulary

Teach respectful alternatives for heated conversations. Remind students that
being COLD (passive) or being HOT (blowing up) often worsens matters. The best
solution is to be cool. For example, telling someone, ‘You’re stupid’ may have a
more inflammatory effect than ‘I disagree with you.’

Teach the Power of Pausing

Teach students to pause, think, and ask questions. This will help students see
another’s viewpoint and slow them down a bit to listen more effectively. Teach
them questions such as ‘So, do you mean?’ or ‘Why?’

1
Stanfield, J. 8 Tips to Teach Effective Communication Skills. (2017) . Retrieved from https://stanfield.com/8-tips-
teach-effective-communication-skills/
Practice Speaking and Listening in Natural Settings
Speaking and listening are useful in all areas of students’ lives. Practicing this in
Natural Settings by having students talk about their interests and then role-play
situations they might encounter, such as an argument with a friend or how to
respectfully disagree with someone in a position of authority.

Encourage Introspection
Students can begin to learn where their feelings and thoughts come from. It is a
skill that may take some work, but understanding themselves is just as important
in communication as understanding those around them.

Turn Taking
Learning to take turns is one of the most basic building blocks of a good
conversation.

Games and Activities for effective communication2

1. You Don’t Say

Divide the student into smaller groups of 5-7 people. Write out a list of non-verbal
behaviors. Have the groups act out and interpret the meanings of these
behaviors. This activity helps participants recognize nonverbal communication
cues from others. In their groups, have students display one of the nonverbal
behaviors while everyone else shares or writes down what nonverbal message
they are receiving.

Non-verbal behaviors can include:

 Leaning back in a chair with arms crossed,
 Smiling, Frowning, Yawning, Nodding, Resting chin on knuckles, Looking at
your watch,
Ask the participants afterward to share their small-group findings. Ask the class if
anyone has ever experienced a nonverbal cue that signaled to them much more
potent than any words.
2
Kelly Miller.39 Communication Games and Activities for Kids and Students. PositivePsychology. 21 May 2019
available from https://positivepsychology.com/communication-activities-adults-students/
2. Popcorn Storytelling

This game is fun for all ages. Have the group sit in a circle. Give the group a
starting sentence. For instance, “Once upon a time, a tiny gray elephant….” Have
each participant add to the story based on what the previous participant has
added to the story. It is an excellent demonstration of utilizing active listening.

3. What’s My Favorite Movie?

Have each participant describe their favorite movie to a partner. Then, in pairs,
ask them to repeat their partner’s favorite movie. Only those who have actively
listened can accurately replicate the favorites. It’s tough when the game has
many participants.

4. Telephone

Have students gather together in a circle. The instructor will whisper one short
topic, sentence, or phrase into the ear of the student next to them. This phrase
will be whispered into the ear of each student around the circle until it arrives
back at the instructor, who will then compare the original sentence to the one
that it became.

Effective communication skill checklist

1. Which Elements of Face-to-Face Communication Most Impactful?

2. Which is important in communication, first empathizing and understanding
what the other person is thinking and feeling or imposing your opinion
first?
3. Which one is the least impactful Vocabulary in communication, being COLD
(passive) or being HOT (blowing up), using disrespectful vocabulary or
respectful vocabulary?
4. Why is learning to take turns necessary for a good conversation?

28. Training MT. Effective communication skills. Bookboon; 2012.