| I have a problem with the term 'basic | | | | the key to clearer written communication. Most |
| communication skills'; my problem is that this term | | | | jobs and most purposes of writing will require you |
| implies that these skills are very simple and that | | | | to have an adequate grasp of grammar. |
| you are somehow lacking and weak if you don't | | | | Grammar is definitely something in which you |
| have them. Certain communication skills are | | | | should easily be able to find a course offered at |
| certainly 'basic' to the extent that they are very | | | | your local college. You could improve your |
| necessary and that a lot of the success of | | | | grammar through a business writing course or |
| communication has to be built upon these | | | | one aimed at creative writing, whichever you |
| foundations. | | | | would prefer. |
| But it is by no means true to say that everyone | | | | Alternatively, you can find self-help books and |
| should somehow naturally possess these skills, | | | | workbooks to learn the skills of grammar at your |
| which is a slur on those who find communication | | | | own pace, in your own home. You can also find |
| difficult. Communication skills can be earned. | | | | online writing courses to help you a lot in this area. |
| In every situation and every occupation in adult | | | | Listening: |
| life, it helps to have certain communication skills. | | | | 1. The ability to listen well is the key to |
| Verbal Communication: | | | | understanding communication; in order to do that, |
| 1. You should be able to speak clearly and | | | | you need to fully focus your attention on the |
| concisely to either report factual information or | | | | speaker to begin with. |
| convey an opinion. This is quite a straightforward | | | | 2. You can develop your knowledge along with |
| skill to practice and you can even start by | | | | your listening skills by checking out audio tapes |
| practising on your friends; they will be glad to hear | | | | and video tapes, perhaps ones loaned from the |
| your opinions. | | | | local library, and practicing fully attending to what |
| 2. Practice speaking to groups as well as | | | | is being said on them. You will soon realize that |
| individuals; that is quite a different skill to ensure | | | | we very often only listen with part of our |
| that everyone is included and that everyone gets | | | | attention in normal life, but once you have |
| your message. | | | | practiced your listening skills you will be able to |
| 3. When you are thinking of improving your verbal | | | | discern much more from what is being said to |
| communication skills, is it your choice of language, | | | | you. |
| your style of delivery or the way you speak | | | | Practising these speaking and listening skills will |
| which needs to be worked on? You could ask the | | | | enable you to much more effectively share your |
| advice of a friend or trusted colleague on that as | | | | opinions with others and defend what you think |
| it is sometimes difficult to judge for yourself. | | | | against their opposing ideas. |
| 4. You might want to consider taking an acting | | | | Practise your writing and you can express what |
| class or a course on diction to help you to | | | | you want to whomever you wish. When you |
| improve your communication skills; local colleges | | | | have practised communicating for a while you will |
| often offer a variety of these courses. You may | | | | be able to communicate clearly and concisely and |
| also find courses in specific areas of | | | | be assertive without appearing rude. |
| communications skills such as customer services, | | | | A really fun way to become good at such a skill it |
| hospitality and conflict management. | | | | to listen to radio phone-ins or chat show; you can |
| Written Communication: | | | | do this easily, listening to the radio on your drive |
| 1. Written communication is a different skill to | | | | into work, for instance. Listen out for how people |
| verbal communication; getting your ideas of paper | | | | articulate their views and how others receive the |
| is something that a lot of people find difficult, | | | | messages, depending on how they are expressed. |
| whether they are an aspiring novelist or someone | | | | You will find it fun and quite easy to develop your |
| who finds it difficult to write a concise, | | | | basic communication skills once you begin to look |
| understandable e-mail. | | | | for opportunities like this. |
| 2. Learning how to use grammar properly is often | | | | |