Communications

What are the Barriers to Effective Communication?

When understanding is blocked communication becomes ineffective resulting in the kinds of problems listed earlier. There are many barriers to communication including:

• Using unnecessarily complicated language or words.
• Using jargon – not everyone will understand jargon that may be industry specific or regional.
• Language difference – it is important to ensure that the receiver has understood your message.
• Your meaning – make sure that both you and the receiver of your message both understand what you are trying to convey. Poorly expressed communication can alter the meaning. Also do not assume that the receiver will know the importance of your message.
• Preconceptions - don’t presume that the receiver of your message automatically knows what you are trying to communicate; or that they will let you know that they do not understand.
• Fear or anxiety - nervous receivers may be concentrating more on how they are feeling then the communicator if they feel anxious.
• Overload – giving too much information at once, making it impossible to absorb.
• Physical barriers – i.e. when using telephones or other such forms of communication poor reception can result in the message not being heard.
• Unrealistic demands- don’t presume that the receiver is more capable then they actually are.

Take this course to help overcome these barriers and be a better communicator in every corner of your life: work, home and play!

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Problems with Poor Communication
   • Barriers to Effective Communication
   • Giving Instructions
   • Evaluating Instructions or Orders
2. Types of Communication
   • What is Appropriate Communication
   • Passive, aggressive and assertive Communication
   • Listening
   • Obstacles to Listening
   • Empathic Listening
   • Ways to Indicate You are Listening
   • Informative Language
   • Persuasive Language
   • Imaginative Language
   • Literal Language
   • Figurative Language
   • Formal Language
   • Colloquial Language
   • Communication Channels
3. Language Skills
   • Reviewing your Writing
   • Evaluating your Writing
   • Concise Wording
   • Condensing your Writing
   • Common Problems contributing to Lack of Conciseness
   • Clear Wording
   • Making Meanings Clear
   • Causes of Confusion; homophones, malopropisms, colloquial meanings, ambiguity
   • Simplicity
4. Writing Skills
   • Where Writing Skills are Used
   • Writing for a Purpose
   • Determining the Purpose
   • Knowing Your Reader
   • Guidelines for Effective Writing
   • Language
   • Planning What You Write
   • Business Letters
   • Writing a Business Letter
   • Other Types of Business Documents
   • Writing Themes
   • Types of Themes: analogy, chronological theme
   • Common Gramatical Errors to Avoid
   • Punctuation
5. Developing Writing Skills
   • Writing Fundamentals
   • Improving a Piece of Writing
   • Newspaper Writing
   • Concise Wording
   • Magazine Articles
6. Visual Communications
   • Hand outs
   • Visual Materials; illustration, charts
   • Digital Technology
   • Digital Applications; Graphics, CAD, Multi media, Internet, etc.
7. Public Speaking
   • Audio Aids
   • Recorded Presentations
   • Speaking in Public
   • Principles of Public Speaking
   • Selling
8. Committee Meetings
   • Functions of a Meeting
   • Conducting a Committee Meeting
   • Role of Office Bearers
   • Taking Minutes in a Meeting

Aims

• Explain the communication process
• Explain the types of communication approaches used.
• Demonstrate language skills that are concise and precise.
• Explain the importance of writing as an effective form of communication.
• Demonstrate writing skills as an effective form of communication.
• Describe various forms of visual communication and how they are generally used to impart messages.
• Prepare for effective verbal communication.
• Conduct committee meetings.

Communication is essential for humans to express our feelings: interpret information: inform others and to avoid confusion that can lead to future problems. It also allows us to keep order and to control otherwise potentially disastrous or dangerous situations.

In a work situation - without communication skills, little co‑operation would occur between management and employees; in management and supervision, good communication skills are therefore essential.

Poor communication can generate problems which in the work place can lead to:

• Loss of income
• Loss of time - production
• Accidents
• Loss of respect
• Loss of employees
• Loss of customers

When you are communicating effectively you are making your message understood without confusion.

Communication is a two-way process i.e. a person is sending a message and another is receiving it.

Communication is not effective if it is one-way i.e. the information is sent but not understood by the person receiving it: or the receiver does not indicate that they do not understand the message.

The communication process is not just restricted to the communicator relaying a message to the receiver. It also involves the receiver of the message relaying information back to the sender and includes any other person that also needs to receive and understand the information given.

Confusion is avoided if the sender understands the process of clear and concise communication and checks to ensure that the receiver has understood the message.

WHY STUDY WITH ACS?

There are lots of reasons why you should sign up to do this course with us, including:

• The course is detailed to ensure that you have the level of knowledge required to apply the practices in your own work, whether that's for a business or your own personal situation
• Within each lesson you have the opportunity to apply your learning to activities which enables you to practice different concepts and expand your own research in areas of interest
• Knowledge of these key areas will enable you to stand out from other applicants when it comes to applying for jobs, it will also give you greater confidence
• Having the knowledge of effective communication techniques will enable you to work in many different sectors and business types, giving you flexibility now and in the future
• Our subject specialist tutors will be there to support you throughout your course, they are only too happy to share their industry knowledge and experience with you
• When studying with us you set your own deadlines, meaning you study at your own pace enabling it to fit around other commitments

TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND ENROL NOW!

You can enrol on the course now, but if you have any questions about the content of the course or studying with ACS, then please get in touch with us today - use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE to get in touch with our expert tutors. They will be pleased to help you!