Communication skills

1. Communication skills Learning Development Service www.qub.ac.uk/sgc/learning

2. Communication Define communication. Work in pairs to come up with a definition of communication.

3. Communication “to share information with others by speaking , writing, moving your body or using other signals” – oxford dictionary Is it possible to not communicate?

4. Introduce yourself Introduce yourself to the people around you. • Handshake • Smile • Eye contact • Voice • Body stance

5. Level 1 communication skills • Lectures • Tutorials • Group work • Presentations • Email • Peers • Other

6. Lectures • Listening • Non-verbal communication • Note taking

7. Listening skills • Attention span 15-20 minutes • How can you maintain attention? • Come prepared and on time • Being active during lecture • Notes • Potential questions • Water • sitting position/ non-verbal/ nod/ eye-contact • Stop – if your mind wanders or you are distracted • Go over material after lecture

8. Tutorials/seminars • You will learn more if you participate • You have something to contribute • It is natural to feel nervous about speaking out • The sooner and more often you speak the easier and more natural it becomes

9. 5 Part Model Thought I will not be able to speak Situation: Sitting in tutorial Feelings Nervous Anxious Frightened Behaviour Do not say anything No eye contact Physical Sensations Nausea Blushing

10. 5 Part Model Thought It is natural to get nervous speaking out in a group Situation: Sitting in tutorial Feelings Nervous Excited Behaviour Make a comment Ask a question Eye contact Physical Sensations ?

11. Tutorials/Seminars • This resource was adapted from Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave. by the LearnHigher CETL at Brunel University and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Licence - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ • Step 1: Before you go to the seminar • Make a decision to speak at least once during the group – even if it is only to agree with what someone else has said. • Get to know other group members, if possible, so you feel more at ease. • Turn up before the start time so you have time for a chat.

12. Step 2: During the seminar • Sit next to someone you find reassuring. • Whilst other people are speaking note down points that you want to make as they come to mind. • Think of an example, or evidence, or an illustration to support your point or someone else’s point. • If you are nervous, breathe out more slowly than usual. • Take your time when speaking. • Make eye contact with the other students (not just the tutor). • Be brief. When you have made your point, stop. Avoid going back over what you have already said. • Be clear. If something sounds confused, say something like ‘I’ll make that clearer’, or check that people have understood. • Speak up so everyone can hear you. If people cannot hear what you are saying, you may have to say it all over again. • Act confident, even if you do not feel it. • Make sure that your body language shows that you are an enthusiastic and involved member of the group.

13. Step 3: After the seminar • Congratulate yourself on any progress. • Keep any mistakes or stumbling in proportion – it is not the end of the world. • Decide what you will do next time

14. Your tutorial checklist • Have I been fully prepared for seminars? • Did I arrive on time? • Did I ask questions that were relevant and useful to the group? • Was my body language encouraging? • Did my mind wander off the topic that we were discussing? • Did I disagree with another students’ points in a way that put them down? • Did I make clear notes of key points and references to follow up? • Do I know what I have to do in preparation for the next seminar? • http://www.brunel.ac.uk/learnhigher/participating-in-seminars/Contributing_to_Seminars.pdf

15. Presentation skills • Preparation and practice = performance

16. Non-verbal communication

17. Initial Preparation • Who are your audience? • What is the purpose of your presentation? • How much time have you been allocated? • What criteria have you been given? • Where is it taking place? • What resources do you have?

18. Preparing the Content • Up-to-date relevant information • Organising your material • Introduction – what you are going to cover • Middle – your content • End – what you have covered • Delivery tools and visual aids • Audience participation • Questions

19. Sample presentation • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YivQYeI0vys&feature=related • What feedback would you give?

20. Checklist for presentations

21. Email communication • Complete the subject box. • Do not use text language and use appropriate punctuation • Try to restrict yourself to one subject per message. • Keep messages precise and to the point. • Check spelling and punctuation before hitting ‘Send’. First impressions count, and typos and poor spelling detract from the content and credibility of your message. • Make sure replies are in context. If your reply is a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, then include the previous message for reference. • http://www.rsc-ni.ac.uk/Curriculum/Netiquette/

22. Peers • Peer mentoring (accountancy) • Being friendly – all in the same position • Open mind – ‘fresh start’ • Informal support – feedback on lecture • Take initiative – e.g. book a study rooms

23. Summary • Communicate through participating - attend everything, this communicates commitment and engagement, will have a direct impact on your marks • Communicate if there is a problem – contact tutor, School office, module lecturer • Communicate with each other – will increase your confidence and reinforce you are doing OK • Be professional in your communications

24. Help and resources http://www.learnhiger.ac.uk/learningareas/listeningandinterpersonalskills/home.htm http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/learningareas/oralcommunication/preparingandgivingpresentations.htm http://qub.ac.uk/sgc/learning