Please help me improve my communication skills.?
Answer:
i came to the US when i was 11 and couldn't speak a word of english. i spent the 6th grade in ESL english and a year later, i was taking accelerated english. then, i was a columnist for year for a city newspaper. i also ran a college newspaper and the letters i write for my dad are read by senior officials all over the world. so listen to what i tell you:
1. start with basics. do NOT say words like "yeah" or "nahh" or 'Uh huh". replace them with "yes it is" or "yes i do" or "no that isn't.." or "no i did not". in other words, complete sentences. do this when a cashier says something to you, or when you take a cab, or other small social interactions.
2. the best way to keep a conversation going is REHEARSAL. if you're expecting a conversation, make sure you rehearse all the possible questions that you will ask, will be asked, and will have to answer. if the conversation is spontaneous, do NOT under any circumstances ask about the weather, or lose eye contact. i used to prepare scripts for every day conversations. sit down and think of all the possible questions you can ask during any possible scenario you foresee in your near future. if you're a student, think about questions that you can as in a cafeteria, just socializing. think of a general scenario, then think of all relevant topics that go with that scenario. obviously, the more specific you the scenario, the better your questions are.
3. memorize vocabulary words. set your homepage to merriam-webster's dictionary word of the day. just google it.
4. talk to yourself, a lot. have conversations with yourself about any and all topics. and do this in front of a mirror. practice your gestures.
all this is tedious but i guarantee you, in a few months, you will have made substantial improvements.
communication skills is not something you can develop independently its part of the total personality. spend sometime to understand yourself. try to identify some of your weaknesses,strengths,likes and dislikes.know the mode of your thinking etc etc. what are the kind of feelings you experience in situations like anger, anxiety, fear etc. handle those first.there are various ways you can handle it. books are there,bunch of info is available on the web. Practise them consciously. do think about it. this self exercise/introspection is necessary before you take up a course on communication skills. you can attend a short term course. you can also try public speaking etc. then try to change your perceptions. perceptions play an important role in our thinking.try to understand from where the others are coming from.unless we know our self we cannot guess estimate others.remember every human is different and we have to use appropriate languages verbal or non verbal to communicate in a group and reach your message across. otherwise we will be caught up in our type of thinking and communication.it may sound a long drawn process. but make a beginning that's important.we are adults we can pick up fast in these areas.
Well if you want to improve your communication skills you have to speak alot, talk alot, try to be so nice, respect them, kind to them, help them. Dont be scared be strong you can do it. Nothing you cant do it.
My suggestion to you is to read a lot of good books. For example if you would like to improve you vocabulary or use educated words while having a conversation, read books that have those kind of words or if you just like to talk fluently just keep reading and dont give up hope even if you dont make any progress. Just keep reading.
The more you read, the more you know
The more you know, the smarter you grow
The smarte you grow, the stronger you voice
When speaking your mind or just making a choice.
Do not get panic, start practising, take active part in group discussing. Success comes to those who dare and act. So start right now.
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