EFFECTIVE

COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
LESSON 4
TARGET OUTCOMES:
 After this lesson, the students should be able to learn the
following:

 enumerate necessary skills for effective

communication;
 explainthe do’s and don’ts of effective
communication; and
 write characteristics of a competent communicator.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
 Learning how to become effective communicator
will be one of the most valuable skills a students like
you can learn. It will help you in your day-to-day
personal, academic, and professional life. Knowing
that you can effectively speak and present to others
will give you the confidence to do well in many
spheres of life.
Effective communication is much
more than being able to talk, it is
also the ability to listen and
understand others, to “read” and
interpret body language and to
know the best ways to get our
points across.
 TO BE A BETTER SPEAKER:
 1. PLAN YOUR MESSAGE. What is the main idea you
are trying to express?
Try to state the idea in a clear, concise way
using language that is understandable. Stop
once your point has been made and ask your
listeners for their reactions to ensure that they
have understood you accurately.
2. BE CONSIDERATE. Do
not dominate
the conversation by talking only
about yourself. Use questions to
probe the person’s feelings or
opinions on the topic of
conversation.
3. SPEAK CLEARLY. Do not
mumble or talk in the
opposite direction of the
listener. Also, use words that
you know the listener might
understand.
4. STAY FOCUSED ON THE
CONVERSATION. Doing something
else while you are talking, such as
typing or working on a car, sends a
message to the listener that you don’t
think the conversation is worthy of your
full attention, and it could inhibit the
listener’s responses to what you say.
5. BE BRIEF. Don’t over talk a
point. It may cause the other
person to lose interest in the
conversation. Make your
point meaningful and
interesting by stating your
ideas briefly.
6. Learn to “read” the listener.
If the other person seems
inattentive or uncomfortable, it is
probably not a good time to be
carrying on a conversation.
Recommend having the
conversation at another time.
TO BE A BETTER LISTENER:

 1. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS. If
you
find it hard to concentrate
because of your surroundings,
move to another area or
schedule another time to talk.
2. MAKE TIME TO LISTEN. If you are in
a hurry or don’t have time, let
the speaker know and schedule
another time to talk. Better to
delay the conversation than to
risk having an important
conversation cut short.
3. PRACTICE REFLECTIVE LISTENING. Repeat
what you think the speaker said to endure
you heard the speaker correctly. This is called
“reflective listening” and it is identified by
statements as “If I understand you correctly..”
reflective listening gives the speaker a
chance to clarify a point and ensures that
both the speaker and the listener are on the
same page.
4. LISTENING FOR UNDERSTANDING. If
you don’t understand what is being
said, don’t be shy or embarrassed to
ask questions. It is better to ask for
clarification than to risk a
misunderstanding that could lead you
to problems later on.
5. QUESTION SKILFULLY. Use open-ended
questions to get others more involved in the
conversation. An open ended question
cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no,”it
allows others to talk at length. Start with, “Tell
me about…,” “How…,” “Explain..,” and
“Describe..,” These questions let speakers
know that you care about their thinking and
they invite speakers to expand on a topic in a
comprehensive way.
6. WAIT FOR THE SPEAKER TO
FINISH. Don’t interrupt, even
when it’s apparent the
person speaking is
gathering his/her thoughts.
7. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS
BEING SAID. When someone is
speaking, don’t spend that
time preparing your remarks
or working on a project – listen
.
 POINTERS FOR LANGUAGE
LEARNING
 Learning a language is interactive and it takes right
practice to make it perfect. If language is a tool for
effective communication, you must be adept at using
it correctly.

 Study the following examples:

 1. What is your father’s occupation?
- He’s a religious pasture.
2. Tell us about your experience performing abroad.
Did you learn a lot?
-Oh, very much! It was an eye opening for me.
3. How can a new business make it during hard
times like now?
-To make your mark in the higly competitive
business world now, you have to have a strategy.
4. What do you look for in a young singer?
-Diction, placement and birthing.
5. What is your favorite sport?
-Chest!
6. If you bake the chicken, how hot does the
oven has to be?
-It should be set at 350 degrees foreign height.
7. What about cooking a good omelette – any
tips?
-Simple! Start with fresh eggs, then beat with a pork.
8. Alma Moreno, ordering for Van Dolph
-For dine-in or take-out, Ma’am? . . .For Van Dolph I
said!
9. Organizer: Oh! The Mayor is now here though he
is late. Please make an acknowledgement of our
mayor who just came in.
Emcee: I would like to acknowledge the arrival of
the late mayor who just passed away.
10. If you have a tourist friend, where do you
suggest you will take him?
-Bocaue, of course.
-Why Bocaue? What’s so special about the place?
There’s the Bocaue Rice Terraces!
 THE DO’S OF EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION:
 1. Always think ahead about what you are going to say.
 2.Usesimple words and phrases that are understood by
everybody.
 3.Increase your knowledge on all subjects you are
required to speak about.
 4. Speak clearly and audibly.
 5.Check twice with the listener whether you have been
understood accurately or not.
 THE DO’S OF EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION:
 6.
In case of an interruption, always do a little recap of
what has been already said.
 7. Always pay undivided attention to the speaker while
listening.
 8. While listening, always make notes of important points.
 9.Always ask for clarification if you have failed to grasp
other’s point of view.
 10.Repeat what the speaker has said to check whether
you have understood accurately.
 THE DONT’S OF EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION:
 Do not instantly react and mutter something in anger.
 2.Do not use technical terms & terminologies no
understood by majority of people.
 3. Do not speak too fast or too slow.
 4.Do not speak in noisy surroundings, as you will be
inaudible and won’t be heard.
 5. Do not assume that everybody understands you.
THE DONT’S OF EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION:
6. While listening do not glance here and there as it
might distract the speaker.

7. Do not interrupt the speaker.

8. Do not jump to the conclusion that you have

understood every thing.
 NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE DO’S AND
DON’TS
Element Do Don’t

Eye contact Maintain eye contact to Don’t avoid making aye

foster trust and contact with your listener
engagement. or maintain prolonged
contact.
Facial expressions Smile frequently and Don’t maintain a poker
present a pleasant face.
expression in general.
Gestures Punctuate your speech Don’t exaggerate or lose
with appropriate and control of your gestures
meaningful gestures.
 NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE DO’S AND
DON’TS
Element Do Don’t

Posture Stand and sit with an Don’t turn your back

erect posture to to someone when
communicate. speaking confidence
and competence.
Physical distance Establish a proximity Don’t ignore signs
appropriate for your that your listener is
message and uncomfortable with
audience. your proximity.