Week 8: Discussion#7

Q1: Differentiate VERBAL and NON-VERBAL communication

Verbal communication refers to the use of sounds and words to convey a message. Some aspects that you need to consider in this type of communication are appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and vividness. Some example of this are formal speeches and casual conversations. On the other hand, non-verbal communication refers to a collaboration of movements that does not require any spoken words in order to convey a message. This incorporates actions such as hand gestures, body language, facial expressions, stance, appearance, and others in order to convey a message. Some examples are bodily kinesthetic, attitude or behavior, manner of dressing, and tone of voice.

Q2: How can you improve your communication with your classmates, family members, teachers, etc. using verbal and non-verbal communication? 

First of all, you need to remember that communicating is a skill. So in order to improve, all you need to do is keep practicing until you become better.

Using verbal communication, remember the aspects that you need to consider which are appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and vividness. Work on each of them specially on those where it needs more improvement. For example, you usually talk fluently when having casual conversations with your family and classmates but whenever you talk to someone formally such as your teachers, you start to stutter. With this, you should work on your clarity by first thinking and constructing the idea and verbatim of what you want to say before actually speaking. You could also try to use shorter, more exact, and simpler words to have a short yet clearer message to also avoid the chance of stuttering.

Using non-verbal communication, awareness and observation are keys. You need to be observant of the things you need to consider in this type of communication. For example, you always have a hard time reading the room with your friends and classmates and you want to improve in it. You can observe and judge from the gestures, facial expressions, attitude and behavior, and tone of voice of anyone that you are communicating with.

Remember that communication takes time and practices. Also, just be open to them. As you keep communicating, you notice mistakes and as you correct them, it will continue to improve the quality of your communication with everyone.