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Communicating Effectively In Spoken English In Selected Social Contexts

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Introduction

Communication amongst people is a process in which everyone receives, sends, interprets, and infers all at the same time and there is no beginning and end. English is used widely around the world and also the most spoken official language. Being able to read, write and speak English become vital because of various reasons. English is used in education and in doing business globally. Sources of education are mostly compiled in English including information on the internet. The importance of learning English cannot be overstated in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world.

Working knowledge of the English language can create many opportunities in international markets and regions. Furthermore, other than business and education, English is the international language of diplomacy, science, technology, banking, computing, medicine, aviation, engineering, tourism, and even the best music in the world. Effective communication is the pathway to build a strong relationship. The important basic principles of effective speaking and listening skills are: always listen when someone is talking, make sure that it is a two way process, and affirm and acknowledge results.

The various forms of oral communication in English are interpersonal, intrapersonal, small group, mass, public, corporate and intercultural communication. This paper will look into in depth on two forms only; interpersonal communication and small group communication; on the importance of oral communication in selected social contexts.

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Oral Communication

Communication is essential in every area of life whether in a friendship, business, marriage or any other organization. It is the medium in which people express information and feelings. Many people communicate a lot but very few communicate effectively. Ineffective communication has the power to confuse, destroy and damage relationships and business opportunities. Effective communication is essential for success in life. There are three vital theories of oral communication. They are The Transactional Model, The Linear Model and The Interactive Model.

The Transactional Model is a model that sees communication or negotiation of meaning in two or more parties responding to their environment and each other (Mohan. T, McGregor. H, Saunders. S, Archee. R, 2008, p.p.25). It means that we have to talk on the same level as the person that we are talking to. Communication is only possible when there is a connection. People connect in different ways to different groups, which means there is only one way to be effective. This is where transactional communication comes in.

The components of the transactional model of communication are encode/decode, symbols, message, channel, leader, follower, and noise. As we know for certain, communication plays an extremely important role in the success of any organizational culture. How employees and management communicate with appropriate respond to each other is what determines the level and type of communication that exists in an organization. The model can help to identify problems or conflicts that exist in communication method and offer useful suggestions. It is a useful and fascinating framework for analysing the behaviour of both ourselves and other people. It offers some very useful insights into the impact of different behavioural styles on relationships between people. The model can be effectively used to understand and analyse behaviour of different group members.

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Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication differs from other forms of communication in that there are few participants involved and are in close physical proximity to each other. Usually, there are many sensory channels used and feedback is immediate. Interpersonal communication is defined as communication that occurs between people who have known each other for some time. the transactional creation of meaning, either intentionally or unintentionally, within a dyadic social relationship. (Jones, Remland, Sanford Interpersonal Communication through the Life Span, p. 10)

Interpersonal communication involves at least two people who establish a communicative association. (Lane, Interpersonal Communication, p. 4)

Interpersonal communication is important because of it functions. Whenever someone engages in communication with another person, that person seeks to gain information about another individual by giving off information through a wide variety of verbal and nonverbal cues. We attempt to gain information about others so that we can interact with them more effectively. We can better predict how they will think, feel, and act if we know who they are. Self disclosure is often used to get information from another person. interpersonal communication refers to the exchange of messages, verbal and nonverbal, between people regardless of the relationship they share. (Guerrero, Andersen, Afifi Close Encounters, p. 11)

We also engage in interpersonal communication to help us better understand what someone says in a given context. The words we say can mean very different things depending on how they are said or in what context. Interpersonal communication helps us understand each other better. Another reason we engage in interpersonal communication is to establish an identity. The roles we play in our relationships help us establish identity. We engage in interpersonal communication because we need to express and receive interpersonal needs.
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Interpersonal communication occurs when people treat one another as unique individuals, regardless of the context in which the interaction occurs or the number of people involved. (Adler, Rosenfeld, Proctor Interplay, p. 15)

Interpersonal communication is inevitably and essentially relational in nature. The way we communicate is determined in great part by the kind of relationship that exists between us and the other person. We interact differently with our seniors at workplace and our best friend; we interact with a sibling in ways very different from the ways we interact with a neighbor or even with our colleague. The way you communicate will influence the kind of relationship we have. If we interact in friendly ways, we are likely to develop a friendship. By regularly exchanging hateful and hurtful messages, we are likely to develop enemies. This is surely one of the most obvious observations can be made about interpersonal communication.

Interpersonal communication exists along a continuum, ranging from relatively impersonal at one end to highly personal at the other. At the impersonal end of the continuum, we have simple conversation between people whom are totally a stranger to us but at the highly personal end the communication becomes intimately interconnected. These situations are like two long time lovers and best friends.

In an impersonal situation, the individuals are likely to respond to each other according to the role they are currently playing. For example, a shopkeeper treats his customer not as a unique individual but as one of many customers in his shop. The customer, in turn, acts towards the shopkeeper not as a unique individual but as he or she would react to any other shopkeeper. A father and a son, however, react to each other as unique individuals. They act on the basis of personal information. Between the father-son, the messages may run the entire range and may at times be highly personal with lots of disclosure and emotion.

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Small Group Communication

Small group communication usually has not more than twelve or fifteen members. A group needs to have at least three members so that coalitions can be formed and some kind of organization is present. A group of more than twelve or fifteen members is considered as too large. It inhibits the members' ability to communicate with everyone else in the group. A small group's members must be able to communicate freely and openly with all of the other members of the group. The factors that significantly impact on small-group communication are best conceived of in terms of the "input-process-output" model. Input factors are those that exist before a group meets; process factors are those that come into play during a group meeting; output factors are the results of the meeting.

Most companies and organizations have people working in small teams. This has been found to be more effective and productive than a single individual managing a project. When there are three or four more people working on an issue, there is an advantage of having access to more ideas and solutions for the project. Groups will develop norms about discussion and group members will develop roles which will affect the group's interaction. A group must have a common purpose or goal and they must work together to achieve that goal. The goal brings the group together and holds it together through conflict and tension.

Every member of a group plays a certain role within that group. Some roles relate to the task aspect of the group, while others promote social interaction. A third set of roles are self-centered and can be destructive for the group. A small group may be a professional group, an educational group or a social group. This will help to establish more network connections. A group is also more likely to take on and complete large-scale, complex projects.

The purpose of communication in small groups is to reduce uncertainty and allow the group to move towards its goals. In simple terms, a team is a group of people who have come together for achieving a common objective. Therefore, in a group of people, there are many intelligent minds and brains working. When team members work together as a team, they can learn the skills and

capabilities of each other and advance their knowledge. This certainly can be beneficial in our professional as well as personal life.

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Public communication

The growth and development of society is dependent on public communication. People expounding their thoughts, feelings, emotions, ideas, desires, goals and persuasions are how we as a society progress. This presumes that the speaking is something people would want to listen to. So, to a greater extend, speaking skills are definitely involved. Public communication allows us to give and share life stories, experiences and anecdotes that help us cope and survive the challenges we face. It allows us to learn as well as facilitates communication of ideas and produces more ideas.

Everyone is a public speaker. Anytime we speak in public, we are public speakers. Public speaking includes speaking at meetings, with potential clients, colleagues, and customers. Public communication is the most vital business and life skills we should acquire. When we want to explain an important concept to our colleagues, we need to do so by communicating efficiently. If we cannot communicate well, our ability to deliver the concept to our colleagues will be limited or misinterpreted by them. Effective public communication includes listening and speaking skills which help prevent many problems at work, home and even other social contexts.

Public communication is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner with the intention to inform, educate, influence or entertain the listeners. The four types of speeches are: to inform, to instruct, to entertain, and to persuade. Informative speech serves to provide interesting and useful information to audience as when a teacher a class of students. Demonstrative speech has many similarities with an informative speech. It also teaches something. The difference lies in a demonstration of how to do the thing that is being taught for example on how to bake a cake. A persuasive speech works to convince people to change in the way they think, the way they do something, or to start doing something that they are not currently doing such as persuading a group of people to become organ donors. The after-dinner speech is a typical example of an entertaining speech. The speaker provides pleasure and
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enjoyment that make the audience laughs or identify with anecdotal information. Effective preparation requires identifying the purpose of your speech. The earliest preparation is focusing on obtaining information and knowledge related to the topic. Speaking in public requires us to ensure that we are mentally and physically fit to deliver a talk.

Speaking in public makes us anxiety. We fear making mistakes and looking foolish. We always think of how important the occasion is. There are many techniques that can be used to boost confidence and ensure that we never fear talking to anyone anywhere. Overcoming fear of public speaking is all about confidence. If we believe in ourselves, there is nothing to fear. Try and make use of a range of relaxation techniques which are especially useful for relaxing during public communication. One way is by having our hands rested upon and hidden behind a podium to prevent us from becoming even more anxious. A podium also allows us to stand upright with something to rest upon slightly. We can adjust our posture so that our knees do not quiver in anxiety.

Other than that, make sure we are comfortable with the room. We may move around the room at least an hour earlier before delivering a talk. We should always be well-prepared too. We may practice the talk a few times in front of friends or associates. It is equally important that they give us honest constructive criticisms. We must know our material very well by memorizing. This means that memorization techniques for speeches should include practices that focus on visual perception, auditory processing, emotional connections, and kinesthetic constructs. Through activities that key into several areas of the brain, individuals can rapidly assimilate information that needs to be retained.

Thus, an effective speaker must have these three qualities of credibility: i. Competence ~the knowledge and expertise the audience thinks/is told that the speaker possesses ii. iii. Character ~the intentions and concern of the speaker for the audience. Charisma ~the personality, presence and dynamism of the speaker. (Karen E.Hamilton; 2003: www.speaking-tips.com)

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Conclusion

In order to improve communication at workplace, we must understand exactly what it is. The primary purpose of communication is to express thoughts, ideas and feelings with others in a way they will understand. Good communication skills can help us keep our head and confidently take charge of unfamiliar situations. People are more likely to listen to us, whatever we have to say, if we can express ourselves well. This is particularly useful in influencing and negotiating important personal, social or business matters. It also comes in handy in resolving conflict and dealing with difficult people.

Communication is an inevitably important factor in teamwork. When we work in a team, we are able to pass on our ideas clearly. This rules out the possibilities of miscommunication due to complex hierarchy in any social context especially at workplace. Effective communication, in summary, requires us to always be courteous while speaking to anyone regardless of where we are. We should always be precision and should never use any slang terms while at any formal functions. It is also essential to ensure that the person we are speaking with has completely understood what we have to say. Hence, we should speak clearly and be a good listener as well.

Working with others is a communication-intensive activity. The way we communicate with others is deeply woven into our personalities. It is a reflection of our experience and attitudes, which is expressed in our work. The better we understand what other people feel and want, and the more clearly how others understand our goals and feelings, the easier it will be to make sure that everyone is pulling in the same direction. Learning better communication skills requires an effort because cooperation between people is a much more complex and mentally demanding process than working by oneself.

References :

1. Haney, W. V. (1979). Communication and interpersonal relations. Homewood, IL: Irwin. 2. Husman, R. C., Lahiff, J. M., & Penrose, J. M. (1988). Business communication: Strategies and skills. Chicago: Dryden Press. 3. Spitzberg, B. H. (1994). The dark side of (in)competence. In W.R. Cupach & B. H. Spitzberg (Eds.), The dark side of interpersonal communication. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

4. Kramer, R. (1997). Leading by listening: An empirical test of Carl Rogers's theory of human relationship using interpersonal assessments of leaders by followers. Doctoral dissertation, The George Washington University. 5. Tannen, D. (1995). Talking from 9 to 5: Women and men in the workplace: Language sex and power. New York: Avon

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