Download Elements of Personal Communication

RSAS Learner Guide
Activity 1 Good Communication
Module 9 Communication
What are some signs of good communication?
Introduction
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This module will be discussing various aspects of
communication that we use everyday in our
personal lives and your work roles within the RSAS
program. By the end of this RSAS training module
you
will
work
towards
learning
various
communication techniques.
VerbalSpoken
Words, Tone
Non VerbalBody
Language,
Expression
WrittenEmail, hand
written, sms
Communication
Look at the picture below which highlights the
elements of personal communication. Its shows us
that by far the largest part of our communication
Section 1- Communicate Using Effective
comes through our body language and the tone of
Communication Tools
our voice, rather than the words we say.
We communicate in different ways, some of the
time we are communicating without even realising.
This is called nonverbal communication. Here are
some examples of nonverbal communication.
Non-verbal communication is:

Body language

Posture

Facial expression including eye contact

Position of your arms

Written communication
Elements of Personal
Communication
Body Language
Tone and Voice
Spoken Words
7%
38%
55%
In your role as a member of the RSAS team how is
Activity 2 Listening for Good Communication
non-verbal communication used now?
Pair up with someone and take turns on being the
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‘listener’ and the ‘talker’. You will each have 30
seconds to talk about a particular topic that will be
decided by the group. Without taking notes see
how many points you can remember.
Communication is a two way exchange. In order to
work out what the problem is and how to resolve
it, you must listen. To be a good communicator in
Section 2 Importance of your team and individual
communication
your RSAS role, you must LISTEN whilst we often
think we are listening we may not be. Look at the
chart below to check if you complete all the steps.
It’s really important in your RSAS role to balance
non-
verbal
and
spoken
communication to ensure your
Look interested, get interested
message gets out there as well as
Involve yourself by responding
to understand others. When it
Stay on target
comes to team communication
it’s a little different. We all
Test your understanding
communicate very differently
Evaluate the message
and it’s important to acknowledge that.
Neutralise your feelings
Activity 3 How do you Communicate?
Ask the person next to you how they communicate
Listening is Key
When you are communicating with anyone
consider the following to ensure that you are
serious about understanding their needs and
hearing what they are saying.
Encourage questions in conversation. Ask open
ended and closed questions when it is appropriate
best. Is it face to face, on the phone, text message
or email. Ask them do how they communicate it is
quietly, loudly, do they speak slowly or fast?
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Confidence

We all have different ways we learn. Present
Be conscious of your body language and what
your information in different ways to different
message are you giving your audience. Is what you
people.
feel on the inside showing on the outside? Is your

Be prepared to discuss your information in
confidence lacking and showing in your body
various ways listening, questioning, drawing on
language?
resources, written language and repeating
information.
Some things to think about


If you are able to, look at the person or in
their direction they are in a group, ensure you
action, make sure you follow it through.

acknowledge everyone. Are you engaging fully
with the children when you take them to
Communicate a little at a time and if you set an
Follow through on what you say in your role, its
important.

school?
Set small actions that are realistic and viable.
This will in turn build trust.

Don’t forget to breathe and relax when talking
to the children, community members, parents
etc.
Activity 4 Communication Role Play
In pairs have each person
try to communicate the

Think about your posture; if you are sitting
down make sure you are not slouching. This
can look like you are not confident or not
interested in your job, in the students or your
colleagues.
below
emotion
without
words;
happy,
nervous,
angry,
tired,
bored,
surprised. Try to have the
other person guess the emotions. For example
smiling.
Section 3 Balancing your Conversations
Do you prefer to listen to words, see words or
In any conversation you must ensure that the
write words? Or maybe you prefer a few of these
conversation is a two way. In some cases you will
ways?
need to negotiate with your colleagues, parents or
children in order to ensure that both sides of the
conversation are positively represented and the
message is clear.
Look at the table below which gives an idea of how
to present information to people who like to learn
and listen in different ways. Discuss the following
Activity 5 Negotiating
as a group.
As a group let’s discuss some points on how to
Learning Style
negotiate effectively with
1. Parents
See
2. Children
How are they the same and how are they
Characteristics
of how they
best learn
When visually
illustrated or
demonstrated
Hear
When
spoken
its
Touch
When it can
be touched or
manipulated
different?
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Section 4
Tips to Implement Good Communication
It is best to try to engage with people by trying
different methods of communication depending on
Environmental When
it’s
presented in
surroundings
that the match
the
learner
preference
Strategies
Images,
demonstrations,
viewing,
activities
Information
sessions,
discussions,
meetings
Emails, taking
notes,
participations in
activities,
demonstrations
Refers mostly to
distance
learners
who
can
control
their learning
environment
Activity 6 Negotiating
their communication preferences and learning
Discuss with the group any experience you may
style. This will help to ensure that the person you
have had in communicating to groups. How did you
are talking to is engaged in what you are saying.
feel and how could you make it better?