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.