CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Classroom Management

Classroom Management

Listening and Speaking Skills

Introduction

Communication is very important in every field of life. Effective communications skills include effective speaking and listening skills. It is a common perception that speaking is important than listening, but listening is as important as speaking. A speaker should know how to communicate effectively whatever he wants to say. In order to get his message properly communicated, he should make sure that he is heard with full attention. This is how effective communication takes place (Canter, 2006). Effective communication can be verbal and non-verbal, as well. The mode of communication depends on the person who is willing to communicate. He will select the mode in which he will feel comfortable.

Main Body

People in the audience should make sure that they listen effectively so that the purpose of communication is fulfilled. There are people who are good speakers but not good communicators because they are not been heard properly. Listening skills in the audience is equally important as the speaking skills of the communicator (Cummings, 2000).

Effective speaking skills require a person to be fluent in speaking. He or she will be proficient speakers if they want their message to be conveyed properly. With faltering speech, a person cannot be an accomplished speaker nor can he ever his faltering speech. There are certain techniques, which if a, person follows he can be a terrific speaker:

Volume - The volume of the speaker should not be low. It should be audible to each and every person present in the audience.

Pace - the speaker should follow a reasonable pace during his speech. The pace should be such that the audience finds it easy to understand.

Tone - the tone of the speaker matters a lot. The audience gives a lot of importance to the tone of the speaker; therefore, it is important for the speaker to adjust his tone.

Listening, on the other hand, is another notable factor in effective communication. The audience needs to hear what the speaker is saying (Worth, 1998). It is true that it depends on the speaker whether or not the audience listens, but if the audience lack listening skills then no matter how good the speaker is the communication will not be effective. Techniques for being an excellent listener include the following:

Act as a devoted listener - the first and foremost tip for being a devoted listener is to act as a devoted listener. A person is judged from his face whether or not he is a devoted listener. A listener's facial expressions should be such that the speaker knows that he is being heard.

Eye contact - the listener should maintain an eye contact with the speaker. This helps the speaker in gaining confidence and will be able to deliver a better speech when he gets the feeling that he is being heard.

Concentration - this is one of the most important tips of being an excellent listener. If he has lost concentration, he will not be able to focus on what the speaker is saying and will ...