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COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS IN ENGLISH
For the students of
B. Vocational
Communicative Skills in
English
By Swati Suri
Assistant Professor in English
HMV College
CONTENTS Introduction to Communication
o Process
o Types of Communication
o Barriers to Effective Communication
o Importance of Communicative Skills
Reading as a Communication process
o Characteristics of Reading
o Reading Purposes
o Associated Comprehension
o Efficient and Inefficient Reading
o Active and Passive Reading
CONTENTS
o Reading Speed
o Reading Strategies
o Improving Reading Skills
o Reading Outcomes
o Structure of Meaning Techniques
o Improving Reading
o Factors influencing Acquisition of Reading Ability
o Reading Problems
INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION
Communications is fundamental to the existence and survival of humans as well as to an organization.
It is a process of creating and sharing ideas, information, views, facts, feelings, etc. among the people to reach a common understanding.
Communication has been derived from the Latin word communicare, meaning “to share”.
It is the act of conveying meanings from one entity or group to another through the use of mutually understood signs, symbols and semiotic rules.
COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Communications is a continuous process which mainly involves three
elements viz. sender, message, and receiver.
All the elements involved in the communication process are explained
below in detail:
o Sender
The sender or the communicator generates the message and conveys
it to the receiver. He is the source and the one who starts the
communication
o Message
It is the idea, information, view, fact, feeling, etc. that is generated by the
sender and is then intended to be communicated further.
o Encoding
The message generated by the sender is encoded symbolically
such as in the form of words, pictures, gestures, etc. before it
is being conveyed.
o Media
It is the manner in which the encoded message is transmitted.
The message may be transmitted orally or in writing. The
medium of communication includes telephone, internet, post,
fax, e-mail, etc. The choice of medium is decided by the
sender.
o Decoding
It is the process of converting the symbols encoded by the
sender. After decoding the message is received by the receiver.
o Receiver
He is the person who is last in the chain and for whom the message
was sent by the sender. Once the receiver receives the message and
understands it in proper perspective and acts according to the
message, only then the purpose of communication is successful.
o Feedback
Once the receiver confirms to the sender that he has received the
message and understood it, the process of communication is
complete.
o Noise
It refers to any obstruction that is caused by the sender, message or
receiver during the process of communication. For example, bad
telephone connection, faulty encoding, faulty decoding, inattentive
receiver, poor understanding of message due to prejudice or
inappropriate gestures, etc.
PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
Formal Communication
• Formal communications are the one which flows through the
official channels designed in the organizational chart.
• It may take place between a superior and a subordinate, a
subordinate and a superior or among the same cadre employees or
managers.
• These communications can be oral or in writing and are generally
recorded and filed in the office.
• Formal communication may be further classified as Vertical
communication and Horizontal communication.
Vertical Communication
• Vertical Communications as the name suggests flows vertically
upwards or downwards through formal channels.
• Upward communication refers to the flow of communication from a
subordinate to a superior whereas downward communication flows
from a superior to a subordinate.
Horizontal Communication
• Horizontal or lateral communication takes place between one
division and another. For example, a production manager may
contact the finance manager to discuss the delivery of raw material
or its purchase.
Types of communication networks in formal communication:
Single chain: In this type of network communications flows from every superior to his subordinate through a single chain.
Wheel: In this network, all subordinates under one superior communicate through him only. They are not allowed to talk among themselves.
Circular: In this type of network, the communication moves in a circle. Each person is able to communicate with his adjoining two persons only.
Free flow: In this network, each person can communicate with any other person freely. There is no restriction.
Inverted V: In this type of network, a subordinate is allowed to communicate with his immediate superior as well as his superior’s superior also. However, in the latter case, only ordained communication takes place.
Informal Communication
• Any communication that takes place without following the formal channels of communication is said to be informal communication.
• Often referred to as the „grapevine‟ as it spreads throughout the organization and in all directions without any regard to the levels of authority.
• The informal communication spreads rapidly, often gets distorted and it is very difficult to detect the source of such communication.
• It also leads to rumors which are not true. People‟s behavior is
often affected by the rumors and informal discussions which
sometimes may hamper the work environment.
• However, sometimes these channels may be helpful as they
carry information rapidly and, therefore, may be useful to the
manager at times. Informal channels are also used by the
managers to transmit information in order to know the reactions
of his/her subordinates.
TYPES OF GRAPEVINE NETWORK
• Single strand: In this network, each person communicates with the other in a sequence.
• Gossip network: In this type of network, each person communicates with all other persons on a non-selective basis.
• Probability network: In this network, the individual communicates randomly with other individuals.
• Cluster Network: In this network, the individual communicates with only those people whom he trusts. Out of these four types of networks, the Cluster network is the most popular in organizations.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Having strong communication skills aids in all
aspects of life – from professional life to personal
life and everything that falls in between.
From a business standpoint, all transactions
result from communication.
Good communication skills are essential to allow
others and yourself to understand information
more accurately and quickly.
In contrast, poor communication skills lead to
frequent misunderstanding and frustration.
In a 2016 LinkedIn survey conducted in the United States,
communication topped the list of the most sought-after soft
skills among employers.
READING AS A COMMUNICATION PROCESS
READING AS A COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Reading is a complex “cognitive process” of decoding symbols in order to construct or derive meaning.
Reading is a means of language acquisition, communication, and of sharing information and ideas.
Reading may refer as communication process because for example if you are reading a book, you well read all the author‟s knowledge, opinion, messages or anything he/she wrote from that book.
It means there is a transfer of message from the author to the one who read the book (you) and when you react upon receiving the message, then that what we called communication process.
While receiving and interpreting the written
word, the reader is interested in four factors:
DECODINGThe reader reads letters and focuses on them in order to change the coded message
into information.
COMPREHENDINGThe reader interprets the
message and understands its meaning
TEXT ANALYSISThe reader critically
examines the message.
RESPONSEThe reader responds to
the message
CHARACTERISTICS OF READING
It is a purposive activity.
Varying pace of reading.
Loud Reading and Silent Reading
Complex Activity
Three Sign Principle: Sign, Signifier and Signified.
It is an active process.
Efficient reading requires visual as well as mental attention.
READING PURPOSES
No reading is done without purpose.
There are three types of reading, done with
three different purposes:
Development Reading
Functional Reading
Recreational Reading
DEVELOPMENTAL READING
It is reading for self development.
Purpose id to expand the boundaries of one‟s knowledge.
Must be done with full concentration.
Must relate the message being read with the earlier knowledge one has acquired.
Must not blindly accept the message in the written text.
An impartial evaluation of the writer‟s point of view must be done.
FUNCTIONAL READING
Reading to fulfill a specific purpose.
Comparatively slower than development reader.
Purpose is usually- complete comprehension or understanding.
Reader should make frequent use of dictionary, encyclopedia or atlas.
Reader should have the ability to read and interpret charts, diagrams, graphs, etc.
Underline the main ideas and make a summary of the reading material.
RECREATIONAL READING
The purpose is pure pleasure.
Aim is diversion of the mind that is troubled by
the day-to-day routine activities.
It is a substitute for T.V. viewing or watching a
film.
Reader is not under any compulsion to read; he
reads at his leisure and pleasure.
The choice of the reading material is
completely of the reader.
ASSOCIATED COMPREHENSION
Reading is a complex process.
We don‟t read with our eyes alone.
Mind and Intellect are equally involved in the
reading process
What we read with our eyes is understood and
interpreted by our mind, our intellect.
Reading is more of a mental process than a
physical one.
This mental process comprises the following:STEP I VOCABULARY Recognition of
words
STEP II PERCEPTION Conversion of
expressions into
meanings.
STEP III COMPREHENSION Understanding
meaning and
relating it to the
context
STEP IV ASSOCIATION Establishing an
association or link
of the text with the
present, tracing
link of the new
ideas with the old
ones.
In order to achieve the above reading purposes, we need to understand the
differences between efficient and in efficient reading and active and passive reading.
EFFICIENT READING INEFFICIENT READING
The language of the text is
comprehensible.
The language of the text is not
comprehensible.
The content is accessible because of
the reader‟s familiarity with the
content.
The content is unfamiliar and far
removed from the reader‟s knowledge
and experience.
The reader has background
knowledge.
The reader has no background
knowledge.
There is a specific purpose which
motivates a reader to read.
The reader has no clear purpose and
therefore no motivation to read.
The reader is able to use different
strategies for different kinds of
reading.
The reader is unable to use different
strategies for different kinds of
reading.
The reading is fast. The reading is slow.
ACTIVE READING PASSIVE READING
The reader pays attention to both content
as well as style.
The reader pays attention to either content
or style.
The reader interprets and analyses the text. The reader does not interpret and analyze
the text.
The reader predicts and responds to
context.
The reader does not predicts and responds
to context.
The reader differentiates between ideas,
opinions, feelings and facts.
the reader does not differentiate between
factual and non-factual information.
The reader infers the meaning of unfamiliar
words from contextual or internal clues.
The reader does not infer the meaning of
unfamiliar words from contextual or internal
clues.
The reader understands and interprets
graphic information.
The reader does not understand and
interpret graphic information.
The reader draws inferences and
conclusions.
The reader is only concerned with the literal
meaning of a written message.
Thus Active and Efficient Reading are interactive and productive.
They facilitate proper interaction and produces new understandings.
They promote effective encoder-decoder relationships, and helps to take advantage of opportunities we might miss by being passive and inefficient readers.
READING SPEED
Extensive reading is a must to broaden our general understanding of a subject while intensive reading is required to get an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the finer details of a subject.
As we have to read both extensively as well as intensively, we cannot afford to read slowly.
The reading needs may vary but in order to improve reading efficiency reading speed has to be increased.
Reading Speed is measured in words per minute(wpm).
Casual or general reading such as reading novels, poems, stories, and humorous articles do not require much concentration, and therefore the reading speed is faster than that of serious reading.
Reading speed should not be increased at the cost of reading efficiency..
The table gives a general idea of reading speed for different
purposes:
Reading Speed Casual Reading Academic/professi
onal reading
Very Fast +400 wpm +350 wpm
Fast 300-400 wpm 250-350 wpm
Average 200-300 wpm 150-250 wpm
Slow Less than 200
wpm
Less than 150
wpm
READING STRATEGIES
Depending on the purpose of reading, the reader
will require to polish up different reading
strategies and skills.
Vocabulary Skills
• Recognising the definitions of the words being
used.
• Guessing the meaning of the words from the
structure.
• Inferring the meaning of the words from their
context.
Visual Perceptual Skills
• Accurate visual perception of words and phrases
• Quick eye fixations
Prediction Techniques
• Using index or chapter heading to predict the theme of the text.
• Guessing to predict information
• Scanning graphic or non-verbal context such as graphs, diagrams, charts and so on to predict the nature and scope of the content
• Using discourse and linguistic clues
Scanning Skills
• Locating specific information.
Skimming Skills
• Identify a theme or central idea
• Identify main ideas
• Identifying organisational patterns of writing
Intensive Reading Skills
• Reading for detail
• Critically reading a text to:
-distinguish fact from opinion
-identify and evaluate a writer‟s attitude
-understand the author‟s intention
• Drawing inferences and conclusion
IMPROVING READING SKILLS
Dictionary, Reference Books
Use of Contents and Indexes
Skimming and Scanning
Using Critical Faculties
Main Ideas, Summarising
Developing Interest
Reading regularly
READING OUTCOME
Reading outcome means the results obtained after reading a written text.
Depends upon a number of factors such as:
• Good Vocabulary
• Knowledge of Grammar
• Reading Environment
• Concentration
• No Stress
• Mental Level
• Aptitude for Reading
• Purpose of Reading
STRUCTURE OF MEANING TECHNIQUES
In communication, sounds, symbols, codes, signifiers, gestures, postures, tone, words, jargons, idioms, sentences and their patterns all have their individual roles in constituting the meaning.
The sender of the message makes a selection of words to signify the message.
This is done by employing one‟s semantic resources or vocabulary that one has developed or that which got added unconsciously.
Knowledge of the structure of meaning techniques helps in applying proper ways and means to decode the message.
Various techniques to find out the structure of meaning of an
oral or written text are as follows:
Denotation or Denotative
Meanings
Abstract Words and their
Meanings
The Meanings of Concrete
Terms
Language Conventions
Figurative Expressions Connotations or Connotative
Meanings
Transferred Meanings or
Contextual Meaning
Modals
Tense and Tense Forms Words Representing Sensory
Impressions
Etymology Specific and General
Meaning
IMPROVING READING
Always Make Special Time to Read: Make it your Ritual
Read the Right Books
Ask Yourself Questions While Reading and After Reading
Improve Fluency First
Once You’ve Learned to Speed Up, Slow Down!
Ask Lots of Questions
Read It Again;
The poet Ezra Pound says that with books, “no reader ever read anything the first time he saw it.”
Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like riding a bicycle or
typing. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality
of every part of your life.