Communication Skills – The Essential Ingredient of Life

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What are soft skills?

Definition – personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Communication skills are an important element of the soft skills.

Communication skills in the life of a student!

Aman and Kriti are in the same grade and academically they are both decent students. In most of the subjects, they both score in the above average category and are usually ready with all answers. However, if you’ll ask teachers, Kriti will be the one they’d recognize in a batch of 40 students in the class. As for Aman, his report cards will reflect decent performance, but his participation in class and ability or rather the lack of ability to verbally express across various platforms ensures that he remains unnoticed. But how does it matter? He is a good student and will secure decent grades!

Well certainly he will perhaps score fine but his inability to effectively communicate will keep him hidden away from all opportunities. Despite being a hardworking student, he won’t be noticed or given a platform to perform even better because he is not able to display the knowledge that he has acquired by way of seamless communication.

Good communication is the bridge between confusion & clarity – Nat Turner

Communication skills in the life of a professional!

Who do you think will have a better chance at the interview, Aman or Kriti? Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where both have completed the same courses from the same institution and have more or less similar mark sheets. As freshers, they are being considered for a profile that along with the technical skills, requires team work and reporting. Kriti, on account of the enhanced communication skills and exposure received as a student, will clearly outshine Aman and therefore her chances of bagging the job are higher.

Even if we consider a case where there are multiple opportunities and both get selected, the chances of Kriti working her way up the career ladder are much steeper. Any organization, irrespective of the industry or job profile, is seeking employees who can help integrate human resources and outshine as leaders. Honed soft skills, especially communication skills, help achieve the said objective.

Of all the life skills available to us, communication is perhaps the most empowering.” — Bret Morrison

Communication skills in relationships!

Relationships demand a lot of work and still many fail. While there are many reasons behind the troubles encountered by those in these failed relationship, a common denominator is the inability to express and understand each other. Communication isn’t just about saying, it is also about listening. In fact, an important element is the ability to listen and understand what the other person is trying to say. Additionally, one must be able to give appropriate words to the emotions they are going through and thus being proficient at the art of communication makes life much easier.

Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage of friendship, is conversation – Oscar Wilde

Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing – Rollo Reece May

Sow the seeds of a happy life with simple communication steps

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Once upon a time, we lived in big joint families. There were uncles and aunts and brothers and sisters and relatives who were always visiting. To add to the equation, boundary walls of the houses were tiny enough to peek into the neighbor’s yard and engage in priceless chat sessions over a cup of tea.

Life now however is different. We’ve moved into nuclear setups and neither the uncles nor the aunts have time to visit. Cousins have moved to different states or countries and the houses have turned into buildings where we hardly know the family living next door.

Like any other change, this transition too has its pros and cons. There is independence, privacy, financial growth, etc., but there is also a little too much alone time – the overdose of seclusion. While these changed equations have impacted us all, the younger generation is facing some serious challenges. Kids are glued to their gadgets and their social skills have taken a major hit. No wonder, behavioral issues and problems like social anxiety & lack of confidence amongst kids are evident in every household.   

How to mend the broken bridge??

How do we establish the broken channel of communication? How do we prepare these youngsters to gear up for the world? The lost art of communication … how do we revive it??

  • Walk under the stars – start the tradition of post dinner walk with kids. These casual strolls have multiple benefits. Owing to gadget addiction, children these days are hardly engaging in any kind of physical activity. Moreover, too much screen time and life within closed walls are hampering the mental growth. These walks will ensure physical fitness and gradually, the time spent together will lead to discussions. Do not force your kids to talk, instead share anecdotes from your childhood. Eventually, they will open up and will start sharing their day.
  • Go old school – bring back the old board games from the storeroom; plan gadget free game evenings on the weekends. Clean the spider webs off the carom board, pull out the chess board, find a pack of cards, see if you can grab the box of monopoly; rather than talking about careers, marks and competitions, treat your kids with a stress free evening. Instead of lecturing about the overindulgence of mobile phones and upcoming exams, give them the option of an easy fun time.
  • Give the gift of a channel to express – most kids avoid any kind of verbal communication these days because they are hesitant. The lack of speaking opportunities has led to a silent generation that is way too scared of making mistakes. Help the young ones, overcome this hesitation, this social anxiety, this lack of confidence with the help of communication experts @ conversation club. They need an encouraging platform to express and to freely make mistakes. These crucial ingredients of expression are offered here at CC.

    Remember the most important rule – communication cannot be forced! You cannot just impose the rules when it comes to interacting. Help your child naturally open up; offer the space, comfort and guidance to express and engage.

    Shhh!!! Mental health – don’t talk about it!

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    Communication gaps and child’s mental health

    If your child had a cold, you’d look for the right syrup in your medicine cabinet. If the kid hurt his knee, you’d fetch cotton and Dettol to clean up the wound. If there are lice in your child’s hair, you’ll search and buy the suitable anti lice kit. However, if the kid has trouble expressing himself or if the child is not able to understand in school or talk freely with people around her, the reaction is to either ignore the problem or scare them into performing better.

    Why do we Indian parents have such a hard time dealing with mental problems? Why is it that instead of helping our children through these difficult times, we abandon them because of our own irrational prejudices?

    The stigma associated with mental health

    Stigma Meaning – A mark of shame!!!

    My child cannot be sick!!! Do you ever say this to a doctor if your child is running a fever??

    No … you instead look for the best doctor and avail the most suited medication for treatment. However, when it comes to problems related to their social, emotional or psychological well–being, it is all a hushed – hushed topic.

    This lack of understanding, compassion and communication makes the problem even bigger than it has to be.

    Mental health of children and young adults

    Psychological issues do not mean that the person is mad and needs to be institutionalized or disbarred from society. They have varying impacts and in the majority of the cases, the impact isn’t severe. In fact, if treated well in time and dealt with cautiously, the symptoms can be managed and the issues can be gradually minimalized.

    Communication & social skills of children suffering from mental health challenges

    The communication gap is the biggest challenge when it comes to diagnosing & treating children and young adults. On account of the stigma attached with the problem, a large majority of kids facing these issues aren’t even diagnosed properly. Parents are too worried about their societal image and thus instead of assimilating the essence of the problem, they resort to evasion tactics. The desire to ignore and hide the problem allows the poison to spread.

    Even the children themselves are scared of this ignorant public outlook and thus find it unsafe to share their problems with anybody. Their silence takes different forms – some face anxiety and depression, while others opt for a more stubborn approach, where they end up hurting themselves and others around them.

    Foster an environment of empathy and acceptance

    We the parents, educators and the community have to be more accepting. We are all mature adults here and it is imperative that we be more caring and empathetic towards the problems these children and young adults are facing. Mental health discussions aren’t and shouldn’t be considered taboo. As a society, we ought to grow and that shall only happen when we promote life driven by open conversations regarding all fields including mental health in children and adults.

    Communication skills enable growth & mental health!

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    Being able to express improves self-image and imparts confidence in kids.

    Communication skills training is imperative for the young ones for numerous reasons. While better communication skills help in every field, when it comes to mental health, the ability to communicate effectively has quite a few advantages. For a growing kid, self-image and confidence are vital ingredients of development and these elements are strongly linked to the child’s ability to effectively communicate in his / her environment. Thus, when it comes to communication skills training, special attention from the very start is a mandate.

    Communication gaps & mental health

    It seems natural that kids talk and convey their message; so what is the whole fuss about communication skills? Well yes, kids talk and they try to send out the message, but the aspect that demands attention is if they are actually able to convey the right message, comprehend what is being said and what happens if they are not!

    To understand better, take the case of an infant. The baby is too young to use words or sign language and thus resorts to crying whenever anything is needed. Parents eventually get accustomed to these signs and the baby’s schedule and thus comply as per their understanding to satisfy the baby. Eventually, this child is expected to make use of spoken words and adequate sentences to express. The growth seems natural and perhaps in the safety of the home environment and in the language used at home, kid is able to convey the thoughts.

    However, as the kid grows and moves out into the real world, things change quite rapidly. From physical surroundings to people, from language to mannerisms, everything changes drastically. Further clubbed with competition and academic pressures, many kids find it quite challenging to maintain pace.

    How can communication skills help maintain the needed wellbeing?

    This challenge which is posed by the outside world, can be countered by enhancing the communication skills. Communication skills training works on a very simple formula.

    Key components:

    • To be able to say / write the desired message using the correct grammar & sentence structure.
    • Ability to patiently listen to others.
    • Capability to hear and understand what is being said, including the meaning of unsaid words and used language tones.
    • Respond in an appropriate manner, using the right set of words.

    Crying for everything might work for a 1 year old, but a 10 year old or a teenage does not have the luxury to simply replace words with sounds. An authentic expression of thoughts is the only solution to the problem. The mentioned components, when suitably mixed, provide the needed communication support for enhanced self-image and self-monitored positive expression.

    Why Conversation Club for communication skills training?

    The focus at Conversation Club is imparting the needed elements of communication, while strictly working as per the individual child’s needs. Customized practical communication sessions for kids ensure learning at a reasonable pace. We understand their struggles and provide a communicative curriculum that enables learning & development.

    Packed everything for survival in an English speaking world?

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    Be conversation ready with Conversation Club!

    An actual conversation refers to a meaningful exchange of thoughts and emotions between two adults. While we all yearn for this skill, communication these days has taken many different forms, thereby complicating the underlying rules.

    We are being judged by the way we communicate!

    Communication skills have always been an integral part of our personality. No wonder that in the current global era, which is largely driven by technology, communication skills go way beyond the basic ability to speak. The way we articulate our thoughts and deliver the message is of critical importance. Furthermore, English has been accepted by majority as the language driving the scenario. Be it on a personal or professional front, a speaker with a strong grasp of the English language and thus polished communication skills has an upper hand.

    Be it initiating a dialogue with a gym instructor or a casual tête-à-tête with a possible matrimonial prospect or an online sales call, conversing in English language is a mandate. However, communication skills training is not just mastering the rules of the language, it entails specialization in the art of expression.

    The art of articulation

    Good communication skills go way beyond answering questions in small standard sentences or replying to an email in a couple of copied phrases. A skilled communicator is trained in the art of conversations. Instead of opting to text a few words and emojis, a trained English language speaker is confident enough to pick up the phone and connect over a call.

    Communication skills training provides the needed practice and thus confidence to contribute meaningfully. Practical conversation skills help in every aspect of life. One who is able to assimilate the essence of a discussion is naturally able to participate better. Getting a hang of the language makes one a better listener and thus a better communicator. No wonder, in relevant managerial positions, requiring team management, a candidate adept at communication skills is universally preferred.

    Even in a student’s life, communication skills play a fundamental role. Kids are currently facing a lot of competition in every arena; with expertise in English language skills, the journey to success is quite streamlined. In fact, psychologists are of the opinion that the ability to effectively communicate can also lead to positive mental health. By streamlining relationships and empowering young adults with tools of persuasion, conflict resolution and safe expression, communication skills enhance the overall quality of life. 

    Travel the road with Conversation Club!!!

    Why conversation club for communication skills training? Well, the answer is quite simple. This is a learning channel that focuses on the imperative practical application of the English language. While the basics are gradually worked upon, each session is designed around the functional aspects of communication. Everyday language requirements are a top priority. 

    Furthermore, the sessions are customized by trained language experts to inculcate topics of interest. These discussion based sessions ensure assimilation of all relevant aspects of the communication skills training, without the mundane learning rules.

    Writing as a profession – the varied options you can choose from!

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    Reading is no longer an in thing and if nobody would read, why bother writing? Well, the question seems justified; is there any point in writing anymore?

    Ralph Waldo Emerson said that the writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.

    Creative writing as a learning & personal growth tool –

    Stated more than aptly answers the question. Creative writing, for professional or personal reasons, offers innumerable benefits. Be it journaling or article writing or preparing notes for a fiction book, each and every word helps the writer enter a creative, intellectual territory. Furthermore, creative writing is an immensely important communication tool. Expressing oneself through words opens doors to imagination and wisdom. The art of writing builds discipline. Being able to pen leads to self-control and tutors kids about routine.

    In addition to the mentioned, writing all thoughts in an organized manner helps find solutions. A well-articulated plan in writing has a much better chance of success. Furthermore, creative writing engages the brain most exhaustively. Together the analytical and creative sides of the brain work and help form ideas that creative writers deploy.

    Words have the power to stay; they form memories.

    Writing as a profession – it opens avenues!!

    In addition to writing for personal development and creative expression, kids can also opt for the art of writing as a profession. Professionally, one can make quite a buck by writing in various capacities and across different industries.

    • Script writer – if you enjoy telling stories and enjoy the fascinating world of movies, script writing is the profession for you.
    • Book author – let your imagination run wild and let every thought find its way to the pages of a novel. As a book author you can experiment with various writing styles and pen numerous genres.
    • Ghostwriting – you write for others and make an honest penny. By helping others put their thoughts and experience in an interesting format, a creative writing career as a ghostwriter pays you well.
    • Journalist / News producer / Editor – add your own stylized masala to the world events and let the audience see from your scanner. As the creative writer behind a news channel you create and vet content before it reaches the outside world.
    • Website writer / Blog writer – this is yet another enchanting avenue a professional writer can explore. This creative writing career option offers abundant scope for flexibility and variety; collaborate for a blog as interesting as Conversation Club and each minute of your time is well utilized.
    • Proposal writer / corporate communications / marketing copy specialist – as a professional writer this is yet another avenue that can help you earn quite well. It is a well-paying position and top MNCs are always looking for new talent.

    Stated are just the top few options. Writing is a field that brings with it immense possibilities. To add to that, this is one professional field where owing to the option of flexible hours, work life balance can be well achieved.  

    The growing silent generation!!! Why the kids no longer talk???

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    In this era of DMs and snap chats, getting more than a ‘ya’ or ‘I don’t know’ or ‘whatever’ from a kid has become a gruesome task for parents. We’ve entered into a complicated schema of communication, where a child barely uses a legitimate structured sentence to express feelings or even answer a simple question like ‘why won’t you eat dinner with everybody at the dining table?’

    Parents are simply getting frustrated over slangs and broken sentences. Children are no longer used to the idea of making a proper sentence, which answers the question. Try asking a 13 year old about her friends at school. One of the following responses is to be expected:

    • Complete silence coupled with a condescending look
    • Confused stare and few garbled vowels
    • Absolute ignorance
    • Intense look into the screen of the nearest available gadget
    • Exit from the interrogation room

    What happened to the power of actual words?

    Gone are the days when children used to go out and play with neighborhood friends. The times of endless discussions are a bygone era. In the current reality, hashtags and trending memes rule the communication pattern. In fact, friends and classmates are no longer a safe zone. Say something out of the ordinary and you are given a tag. From ‘nerdy’ to ‘weirdo’, all kinds of labels hover around and disrupt all communication channels.

    Reasons why kids don’t interact:

    • The broken bond with words – Owing to the inability to communicate, kids are not able to express themselves. This inability to properly put their feelings into words leads to complete seclusion.
    • The growing competition & academic demands – Thanks to the ever increasing need to be better, we are nurturing book worms and cramming experts. The art of verbal communication and practical approach to living is dying in the process.
    • Defective communication channels – Children have been away from heartfelt discussions and easy conversations for so long that they no longer know how to express.
    • Veiled embarrassment & the fear of making mistakes – Children struggle, however they are too embarrassed to ask for help. It is fear of getting exposed as a loser that prompts isolation.
    • Scared of the reaction – Another communication challenge is the fear of possible response. It is anticipation of intense criticism that forces these young ones to go in their shells.

    Provide a channel that promotes communication!

    Communication cannot be forced. In fact, if we as parents / guardians / mentors ask too many questions, complete shutdown is the counter weapon. What is needed in this case is availability of a safe space to express and connect. Children are struggling with their inability to perform, to make friends, to overcome hurdles. If we in such cases force rules, that’ll only increase the gap. It is only through patience and persistence that we can encourage them to open up. At Conversation Club, we offer a warm and encouraging channel to learn and express. We welcome them to a space where they interact, open up and learn.   

    Conversation partners – we elevate together!

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    Learning with a friend, who understands … challenges … motivates … helps … shares, is the definite path to excellence. Especially when it comes to communication skills training, if we have someone to work with, the sharing of ideas and constant deliberations help excel.

    Teamwork has proven to be a tool that leads to innovative ideas and effectively solve problems. When it comes to learning in the domain of communication skills, working with a study partner has similar benefits. Study partners ensure that the process of learning is stimulated in a happy zone. It lowers the risk of burnout and through the helpful clubbed sessions, students tend to observe from varied perspectives and thus learn effectively.

    Furthermore, knowledge when shared with a study partner, significantly enhances in terms of value. Combined efforts act a fuel and provide the desired momentum. Academic excellence is guaranteed if there is the option of working with an ideal learning mate.

    Why work with a study mate?

    One cannot improve upon his / her ability to communicate in isolation. Communication skills training is a domain that relies heavily upon an environment to connect & express. In fact learning can only prosper in an environment, which provides ample opportunities to freely open up. It is only when we speak that we are able to identify our mistakes and thus correct them. Connecting with a suitable learning partner or a study group has numerous addition benefits; few of them are as below:

    • The content is better understood post discussions with other learners. Analyzing a content from various viewpoints enables better assimilation.
    • When clubbed with a study group / mate, one is motivated to keep up with the learning schedule and thus there’s less inclination to delay.
    • Learning partners motivate each other by identifying frequent mistakes and learning barriers. They help correct each other and thus achieve the desired goals.
    • Working with a conversation partner, as part of communication skills training, makes sure that the process does not become monotonous.
    • Peer review and the option to improve reduces anxiety and thus encourages learning.
    • Social interaction is an integral component of the communication skills training program. The conversation partner program encourages interactions and thus stimulates growth. 

    Conversation partner @ conversation club!

    Verbal expression is a pertinent ingredient of the communication skills course. While communication course mentors can impart the required tools and guidance to comprehend the language basics and associated formats, practicing in a challenging environment is of integral relevance. The notion behind encouraging 1:1 discussions and communicating with conversation partners is to duplicate the nuances of practical environment. A close to realistic communication driven scenario is encouraged at Conversation Club, which extensively promotes learning.

    Conversation partners are carefully matched up to ensure optimum results. Age, background (education & profession) and language proficiency levels are considered critical influencers. Communication skills training at Conversation Club is not merely about brushing up the grammar concepts or learning new words. The sessions are designed around the objective of expression, sentence articulation and language usage & clarity. These communication skills objective are met through conversations.

    Story threads to weave the mind and enable learning!

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    Be it words or pictures, there lies a story, waiting to be told. Communication skills sessions and learning plan at Conversation Club revolves around the intuitive art of visualizing scenarios and weaving them into interesting narrations. Each of these narrations is an experience that the learner undergoes to explore possibilities, to ask questions, to absorb new words, to imagine distinct scenarios and to allow escape, thereby fostering creativity & learning.

    If lessons were weaved as stories, they would never be forgotten.

    How do stories aid learning in kids?

    1. Knitting together boosts imagination – Working with a story mate, building upon those abstract phrases and pictures together, fosters creativity and learning in kids. Young, unrestricted minds, when given the opportunity to engage and converse freely, open up towards new intellectual avenues and together explore the widened creative horizons. Learning becomes a collaborative mission and it is on this path that the adolescent mind blossoms.
    2. From theoretical to practical visualizations – Education shouldn’t have to revolve around tedious facts and formulas. True learning only happens when the mind and heart are intertwined and receptive to information. Stories help engage young audiences and build the apt communication skills training grounds. The flow of thoughts, linked narratives and the ability to venture in multiple directions, opens up new thinking avenues.
    3. Exploring the indefinite possibilities – Exploring abstract avenues and learning in an environment that fosters the idea of freely venturing into all avenues, nurtures creative minds. A close interaction with the fictional scenarios and mysterious characters prompts experimentation, which is turn educates kids and helps with personality development & enrichment.   
    4. Stories boost memory and cultivate retention – The exercise opens up new worlds and conversations. It stimulates thinking and enables comprehension of details, which would otherwise be difficult to retain. Through colorful depictions and word play, stories leave an imprint, thereby boosting the memory. Asking relevant questions, explaining new concepts through stories and engaging in rich discussions together stimulate retention.
    5. Nurtures social skills and empathy – The colorful world of pictures and braided words are an interesting way to introduce new emotions and social scenarios. Outside world is complex and while we dream to preserve and shield the young ones forever, it is only a matter of time that they’ll have to deal with the unknown intricacies. Stories act as windows to such alien scenarios. They help visualize situations and arouse feelings for characters, thereby promoting empathy in readers.
    6. Word play enhances vocabulary – There is a direct correlation between the world of stories and vocabulary. Learning new words through various story activities ensures understanding and retention. Story creators are able to effectively grasp the meanings of new words. The understanding helps them apply the learned knowledge. Enriched vocabulary play an imminent role in both professional and personal domains and the world of stories helps attain the objective.

    Stories have a reach, they sink in. Articulate sentences and pictures get embedded in the mind. These captivating narrations are an effective learning tool and can be suitably harnessed to improve communication skills, educate kids and ensure personality development and overall learning.

    Learning enablers @ Conversation Club!

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    Words and our ability to verbally communicate is one of the most crucial tool available to humankind. While on personal front, we yearn to express and connect with like-minded people; on professional front, ability to get across a message, holds significant value. Be it seamless work execution or conflict resolution or performance measurement parameters, communication skills are a pertinent measurement criterion. We humans deploy words to enable, to heal and to emote.

    However, it is not just any random combination of words that leads to communication. Effective communication skills rely upon the basic rule of coherent composition of the message and absolute transmission to the desired receiver, in a desired format. This is where the need for communication skills training arises. Communication is a skill which needs to be regularly sharpened and one where there’s always room for improvement. Communication skills training enables clarity of expression, imparts the eloquent style and lends a hand with empathetic articulation, which are all together critical at any given instance in life.

    The relevance of communication skills training is underlined, but how can the objectives be achieved? Platforms like Conversation Club provide the solution.

    Conversation Club is a platform that enables the opportunity to practice and improve. Communication skills learning & growth happens here through the loop of practice – feedback – correction – practice! 

    Student teacher rapport

    Trainers at Conversation Club are skilled at the art of communication and teaching. Backed by years of practical experience in communication domains, mentors and curriculum designers categorically focus upon establishing a rapport. Effective learning in communication skills or any domain can only happen if the trainer is equipped to understand and modulate the program as per learner’s intake. While one ought to be slow enough to ensure assimilation of information & interest, the momentum portion of the classes too needs to be cautiously managed. Trainers at Conversation Club encourage thinking and application, provide regular feedbacks, correct and thus ensure improvement in communication skills.

    Assessment of the gaps and steps towards fulfillment lead towards improvement of communication skills!!!

    Effective curriculum

    We all have our own ecosystems. A student’s life has its own variables and these are quite different from the parameters of a working professional’s life. Depending upon our age, profession and interests, we all have different communication needs. If the needs are different, how can the solution possibly be generic?

    At Conversation Club, the curriculum is designed to meet the specific requirements and is further customized to meet individual targets. Thus, there are individual sessions, where the trainer works with the student to fill in specific communication related gaps and clubbed sessions with other conversation partners, which provide the needed exposure.

    Information Exchange or Communication??

    There is a tricky difference between sharing information and actual communication. The former relies upon sending out the message to an individual or a group of people. Latter is about actually reaching out and getting through to the desired audience by way of effective communication. Communication skills training @ Conversation Club helps bridge this gap from information relay to actual communication.