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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