oumh1303 english for oral communication
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oumh 1303TRANSCRIPT
Elizabeth Tiorney (1998) describes, communication as a process which begins when
you have a message that you want to deliver to an audience. Your audience receive the
message, reacts to it and then responds to your message.
Communication Theory has one universal law posited by S. F. Scudder (1980). The
Universal Communication Law states that, "All living entities, beings and creatures
communicate." All life communicates through movements, sounds, reactions, physical
changes, gestures, languages, and breath. Communication is a means of survival. Examples -
the cry of a child (hungry, hurt, or cold); the browning of a leaf (dehydrated, thirsty, or
dying); the cry of an animal ( injured, hungry, or angry). Everything living communicates in
its quest for survival."
Communication is an integral instinct of all living things. The importance of
communication is best understood when there is a lack of it. The following article discusses
how important communication is and why it plays such a vital role in our daily lives. There is
more to communication than just talk and gesture. Listening, understanding and interpreting
are as much integral to communication as words – verbal, written or gestured. Similarly, how
we communicate or express ourselves goes a great way towards determining how our
expressions are interpreted. To quote Karl Popper, "It is impossible to speak in such a way
that you cannot be misunderstood". Faulty or incomplete communication can completely mar
the purpose of communicating and may result in damaging consequences. Not everyone is
equally endowed with the ability to effectively express himself and this is where the
importance of communication skills can be truly fathomed.
Today, it is very important to be able to communicate in English (speak English)
fluently. The massive means of communication, the needs that modern life settles, the high
standard in quality required for leaders companies and the basic needs English itself. English
language is the international language meaning 60% of the world population are speaking in
English. For decades, English has been the "lingua franca," the international language which
people need to know in order to communicate with others around the world.
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IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING ENGLISH FOR STUDY AND WORK PURPOSE
INTRODUCTIONS
Many people study English for academic purposes and others primarily for work. An
additional reason for studying English is for communication.
Speaking English for study and work purposes important because it will help us to get
better grades, which can get into better colleges and higher paying jobs? In many academic
areas, textbooks are available only in English. Many scientific studies and academic journals
are published only in English.
A number of studies have consistently demonstrated that those who have an advanced
knowledge of the English language are much more likely to advance their careers. In addition
to this, these studies have also demonstrated that a strong command of the English language
will lead to higher paying jobs, more social mobility, and a great deal of social success.
Speaking is a natural ability of a person. Even though we all know how to speak, doing it in front of a large audience is something else.
Effective speaking will help you in many ways such as enhancing your career, improving your selling skills by gaining you more success in this area or just making you a better person to listen to. You must always know who is your audience and how will they receive your message. An example for this is that you can group them based on their race, ethnicity or gender or anything else you want.
A good way to manage grouping an audience is to understand what brought them to your presentation or session and use that in your advantage. It is very important to be well prepared because this is vital if you want to be good at effective speaking. Before you deliver your presentation or session you should make a so called session outline. This is very helpful so that you will be able to say everything without forgetting something.
Delivery process is a vital part in effective speaking. It has to be dynamic, energetic, fun. So if you don’t want to lose your audience you must be natural and engage in conversations with them. When practicing you can vary your tone, voice or gestures to emphasize certain points.
A very important step for you to become more effective at public speaking is by asking feedback. It’s critical that you know how your audience felt during your presentation or session so that you can get better next time.
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BASIC PRINCIPLE OF EFFECTIVE SPEAKING
Effective listening skills are an asset in our professional and personal relationships.
Communication comprises both speaking and listening, and there is no point of one without
the other. If you only send out clear messages, but fail to receive and comprehend them, then
you failed to communicate effectively. For good communication, you need both, good
speaking and effective listening skills. But what exactly are effective listening skills?
Receiving a message can be broken down into listening and hearing. Hearing is considered
more of a physical action, where your ears pick up sound waves, which are then transported
to your brain. Lack of effective listening skills can be a barrier to effective communication.
Active Listening
Active listening skills are considered the most important among effective listening
techniques. As an active listener, you must have genuine interest in understanding the
message. One must then paraphrase their understanding of the message they received, and
pass it back to the sender for verification. This feedback/verification process is at the crux of
active listening.
Effective Listening Tips
Effective listening strategies involve putting in place a number of practices. To start,
one must make an effort to block out outer distractions.
Resist the urge to day dream. While listening to the person speaking, it is fairly
normal for your mind to wander off. However, you must make a conscious effort to
focus on the subject at hand.
Understanding and correctly interpreting body language is an important part of
effective listening skills. The message can only be interpreted correctly when it is
received along with the body language.
Pay attention to tone also, as it is vital to the correct interpretation of the message.
An essential aspect of effective listening is having an open mind. Don't let your own
personal beliefs about what is being said; prevent you from receiving the message.
If you fail to understand anything that is being said, don't hesitate to ask and clarify.
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BASIC PRINCIPLE OF EFFECTIVE LISTENING SKILLS
One big mistake that many make is being preoccupied on what they want to say. If
you are focused on giving your opinion, all your attention will be directed towards
waiting for an opening when you can interject.
In order to develop effective listening skills, a person must put the above mentioned
points into practice. You can ask a friend to help, and tell him/her to speak on a subject, while
you practice effective listening. You can then ask your friend to give you feedback.
Forms of communication have developed over a long period of time. Communication in itself
has evolved, ever since it has been known to the living specie. However, it was humans who
revolutionized communication.
Forms of communication evolved as the human brain developed and became more
receptive to the sounds and the events around him. Over a period of time, the historic records
will show you that forms of communication have evolved very gradually, be it written, oral
or pictorial communication.
Below are the seven forms that oral communication often takes:
i. Intrapersonal communication
ii. Interpersonal communication
iii. Small group communication
iv. Public communication
v. Mass communication
vi. Corporate communication
vii. Intercultural communication
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FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is exchanging information in the form of messages, symbols, thoughts, signs
and opinions. There are four types of communication:
Verbal Communication
Verbal communication includes sounds, words, language and speaking. Language is said to
have originated from sounds and gestures. The bases of language formation are: gender,
class, profession, geographical area, age group and other social elements. Speaking is an
effective way of communicating and is again classified into two type’s viz. interpersonal
communication and public speaking.
Public speaking is another verbal communication in which you have to address a group
of people. In public speaking, the speech must be prepared according to the type of audience
you are going to face. The content of your speech should be authentic ,highlighted and
delivered in correct order. There are many public speaking techniques.
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication involves physical ways of communication, like, tone of the voice,
touch, smell and body motion. Symbols and sign language are also included in non-verbal
communication. Body language is a non-verbal way of communication.
Written Communication
Written communication is writing the words which you want to communicate. E-mails,
reports, articles and memos are some of the ways of using written communication in
business. The written communication can be edited and amended many times before it is
communicated to the second party to whom the communication is intended. Written
communication is used not only in business but also for informal communication purposes.
Mobile SMS is an example of informal written communication.
Visual communication
The last type of communication out of the four types of communication, is the visual
communication. Visual communication is visual display of information, like, topography,
photography, signs, symbols and designs. Television and video clips are the electronic form
of visual communication.
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TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
Oral skills (both speaking and listening) are at the very foundation of literacy. Classroom talk
helps students to learn, to reflect on what they are learning, and to communicate their
knowledge and understanding. The strategies in this section provide simple but powerful
tools for improving communication in every classroom and all subject areas. Students need
authentic opportunities to learn how to listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations –
in pairs, and in small and large groups.
Communication Model Terms as provided by Roth well:
i. Noise ; interference with effective transmission and reception of a message. For
example;
physical noise or external noise which are environmental distractions
such as poorly heated rooms, startling sounds, appearances of things,
music playing somewhere else, and someone talking really loudly near
you.
physiological noise are biological influences that distract you from
communicating competently such as sweaty palms, pounding heart,
butterfly in the stomach, induced by speech anxiety, or feeling sick,
exhausted at work, the ringing noise in your ear, being really hungry,
and if you have a runny nose or a cough.
psychological noise are the preconception bias and assumptions such
as thinking someone who speaks like a valley girl is dumb, or someone
from a foreign country can’t speak English well so you speak loudly
and slowly to them.
Semantic noise is word choices that are confusing and distracting such
as using the word tri-syllabic instead of three syllables.
ii. Sender; the initiator and encoder of a message.
iii. Receiver; the one that receives the message (the listener) and the decoder of a
message.
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ORAL COMMUNICATION
MODEL OF ORAL COMMUNICATION
iv. Decode; translates the senders spoken idea/message into something the receiver
understands by using their knowledge of language from personal experience.
v. Encode; puts the idea into spoken language while putting they own meaning into the
word/message.
vi. Channel; the medium through which the message travels such as through oral
communication (radio, television, phone, in person) or written communication
(letters, email, text messages).
vii. Feedback; the receivers verbal and nonverbal responses to a message such as a nod
for understanding (nonverbal), a raised eyebrow for being confused (nonverbal), or
asking a question to clarify the message (verbal).
viii. Message; the verbal and nonverbal components of language that is sent to the receiver
by the sender which conveys an idea.
Linear Model – is a one way model to communicate with others. It consists of the sender
encoding a message and channeling it to the receiver in the presence of noise. Draw backs –
the linear model assumes that there is a clear cut beginning and end to communication. It also
displays no feedback from the receiver. For example; a letter, email, text message, lecture.
Interactive Model – is two linear models stacked on top of each other. The sender channels a
message to the receiver and the receiver then becomes the sender and channels a message to
the original sender. This model has added feedback, indicates that communication is not a
one way but a two way process. It also has “field of experience” which includes our cultural
background, ethnicity geographic location, extend of travel, and general personal experiences
accumulated over the course of your lifetime. Draw backs – there is feedback but it is not
simultaneous.
The Interactive Model:
For example – instant messaging. The sender sends an IM to the receiver, and then the
original sender has to wait for the IM from the original receiver to react. Or a
question/answer session where you just ask a question then you get an answer.
Transactional Model – assumes that people are connected through communication; they
engage in transaction. Firstly, it recognizes that each of us is a sender-receiver, not merely a
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sender or a receiver. Secondly, it recognizes that communication affects all parties involved.
So communication is fluid/simultaneous. The transactional model also contains ellipses that
symbolize the communication environment (how you interpret the data that you are given).
For example – talking/listening to friends. While your friend is talking you are constantly
giving them feedback on what you think through your facial expression.
Interpersonal communication is usually defined by communication scholars in numerous
ways, usually describing participants who are dependent upon one another and have a shared
history. It can involve one on one conversations or individuals interacting with many people
within a society. While interpersonal communication can be defined as its own area of study,
it also occurs within other contexts like groups and organizations.
Interpersonal communication includes message sending and message reception
between two or more individuals. This can include all aspects of communication such as
listening, persuading, asserting and nonverbal communication.
An often overlooked element of interpersonal communication is being a good
receiver, which involves developing listening skills. Listening involves showing an interest in
the speaker, concentrating on the message, and asking questions to ensure understanding.
One useful listening technique is reflection, or attempting to repeat and clarify the other
person's message rather than immediately responding to it with a message of your own.
An emphasis in Interpersonal Communication provides students with the education
needed for entrance into a variety of careers in social and human services. The emphasis
provides a basis for the pursuit of teaching credentials, and it provides an exceptional
background of preparation for graduate studies in fields such as social work, counselling, and
clinical psychology.
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INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Small group communication is the communication that is carried out within a small group. A
small group is generally defined as a group that consists of at least five members and at the
maximum around ten members. A small group may be a professional group, an educational
group or a social group.
In academic institutions, student often form small groups which meet regularly for
study discussions or to work collaboratively on projects. At the work place, small group may
be discussing issues related to work, or for problem-solving or team-building purposes.
Here are some reasons why small groups afford a rich learning environment:
i. Small groups provide an opportunity for more people to have more "air
time" to express opinions, ideas, and ask questions.
ii. Small groups allow individuals to receive feedback more quickly.
iii. Small groups allow participants to learn from each other.
iv. Small groups create opportunities for more people to practice skills or
apply knowledge.
v. Learning becomes more dynamic and active in small groups.
vi. Small groups encourage participants to know each other better, breaking
down barriers and creating a more positive learning atmosphere.
Arrange participants in small groups prior to giving activity instructions. If you begin
with activity instructions and follow with instructions about how you want small groups to
form, many participants will have forgotten the initial instructions by the time they have
settled into their small groups.
Noise level - Identify sounds that participants could make to form small groups. For example,
have participants think of the first vowel sound in their names. Have them make that sound
and find others making that same vowel sound. When they find their group, they find a place
to sit prior to receiving instructions.
Go to your corners - Identify reasons for people to go to separate places in the training room.
For example, you could have them go to four corners depending on whether they are a first
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SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
born, last born, middle, or only child in their family. They could go to the corner of the room
that is closest to the direction they would head to go home (as a crow flies.)
You can connect the corners to content. For example, if you're training a business-
communication class, you could have them select the method of communication they prefer,
for example, e-mail, face-to-face, telephone, or notes.
Secret codes - code the participants' materials in various ways. Purchase stickers and place
them on the training materials, under the participants' chairs, on the outside or inside of the
table tents, or on nametags. If you distribute a limited number of different-color markers
participants use to write their names on their table tents, you can refer to the colour marker
they choose. Colours are good to differentiate something.
Puzzling participants - purchase or make four to six piece puzzles. Participants select a
puzzle piece and find the rest of the pieces to their puzzle to form a small group.
Puzzles do not always have to "fit" together physically. You could write the names of
people (or fictional characters) that "fit" together on index cards. You could use, for example,
Alice, Cheshire cat, Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts; or you could use Snoopy, Charlie
Brown, Lucy, and Pig Pen or other sources.
Make mine different - you don't always need to form a group based on what is similar.
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate
manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners.
In public speaking, as in any form of communication, there are five basic elements, often
expressed as "who is saying what to whom using what medium with what effects?" The
purpose of public speaking can range from simply transmitting information, to motivating
people to act, to simply telling a story. Public speaking can also be considered a discourse
community.
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PUBLIC SPEAKING
General
The objectives of a public speaker's presentation can range from simply transmitting
information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story. Professional public
speakers often engage in ongoing training and education to refine their craft. This may
include seeking guidance to improve their speaking skills—such as learning better
storytelling techniques, for example, or learning how to effectively use humor as a
communication tool—as well as continuous research in their topic area of focus.
People who speak publicly in a professional capacity are paid a speaking fee.
The common fear of public speaking is called gloss phobia (or, informally, "stage
fright").
In conclusion to this discussion, communication is a very important elements of getting
information because people can get on each other’s information through communication and
communication can be done with various forms.
Theories of how oral communications works provides useful overview that show us
how communications can actually lead us to getting information as well as to decode the
information into something that we can understand easily. These models are important
because we can detect which is the part that can really guide us to get the right information.
Communication can be done through verbal or non-verbal situation and in this case,
speaking is one of it. Speaking process is complicated. One should have the knowledge as
well as the right strategies to be able to deliver the intended information. Lastly, training is
best to describe the effective deliverance of information.
( 3,350 words )
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CONCLUSION
Miller, K. (2005). Communication Theories. New York: Mc Graw Hill.
Oberg, B. C. (2003). Interpersonal Communication. Colorado: Meriwether Publishing
Ltd.
Roebuck, C. (1998). A self-development programme : Effective Communication : The
Essential Guide to Thinking and Working Smarter. London: Marshall Publishing.
Roger C. Pace. (2006). Communication in a Changing world. New York: Mc Graw Hill.
S Sivagnanachelvi and friends.(2011). OUMH 1303 English for Oral communication.
Selangor: Meteor Doc. Sdn. Bhd.
Verderber, R. F. (1998). Communicate! USA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
http://www.answers.comtopic/communications-theory-1
16.06.2011 / Britannica concise Encyclopedia
http://www.c-s-p.org/Flyers/978184718002-sample.pdf
17.06.2011 / Copyright©2007 by Dita Galova and Contributors
http//:www.docstoc.com/doc/8859568/Importance-of-English
18.06.2011 / Michele De Capitani
http://www.en.wikibooks.org/wiki/communication_Theory/orality_and_Literacy
16.06.2011 / Walter J.Ong.S.J.
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REFERENCES
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Mehrabian#Three_elements_of_
communication
16.06.2011 / Albert Mehrabian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/communication
16.06.2011 / WIKIPEDIA The Free Encyclopedia
http://www.scribd.com/doc/334505/communication-theory
16.06.2011 / Wikibooks Contributors
http://esp-world-infor/Articles-25/the_competency-based_English_oral_communication
16.06.2011 / Fasawang Pattanapichet
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