Worksheet 3 - Verbal Communication

WORKSHEET 3

1. In your own words, define the following terms:
(a) writing
(b) reading
(c) speaking
(d) listening

2. Which of the four verbal communication skills are needed for each of the following scenarios? Say how the skills are used in each scenario.

(a) A an oral exam
(b) A listening comprehension exercise
(c) Reading a Bible passage in church
(d) Participating in an online chat room discussion
(e) Helping your uncle construct a table that came in a pre-packaged box

3. List and explain each of the four contexts for listening.

4. Based on your reading, which is more important: reading and writing or speaking and listening?

A Closer look at Verbal Communication

A CLOSER LOOK AT VERBAL COMMUNICATION

As we saw earlier, there are two main ways in which human beings communicate verbally, that is, through speech and writing. Reading, writing, speaking and listening are the four ways in which we use this verbal communication. Each of these is a skill, and effective use of each is necessary for communication to take place.

This handbook is presented in a written format. However until it is read and interpreted by an audience (you, the student) no communication has taken place. Further to this, the entire process is incomplete unless some feedback, in the form of the weekly worksheets, is provided. Thus, the process of communication in this instance may look something like this:

Essentially, for communication to take place, both writing and reading skills must be employed. Similarly, speech communication does not end with speaking. For communication to effectively take place, the receiver/audience must employ listening skills.

It is important, then, for us to be able to not only write and speak effectively, but also to read and listen effectively.


REQUIRED READING

Zeuschner, Raymond. Communicating Today, Chapters 3, 5 & 6, Pearson Education, Inc., 2003.

Simmons-McDonald, Hazel et al. Writing in English: A Course Book For Caribbean Students, Section 1, Ian Randle Publishers, 1997.

For completion of Worksheet 3

A summary of the CAPE Communication Studies Syllabus (from the Communications Studies Rules and Regulations handbook)

CAPE Communication Studies Syllabus -A Summary


The qualification will give students a chance to demonstrate their ability to communicate thoughts, emotions, ideas and attitudes effectively. A good grade in this subject will show that a student also understands how people communicate, theories of communication and the relationship of language and communication particularly within the Caribbean context.



A central expectation of the syllabus is that students will be able to “use the structures of English correctly and appropriately, as well as with a degree of elegance” (CAPE Communication Studies syllabus). Developing high levels of competence in English, both in speaking and writing, is at the heart of this the course.


Module 1: Gathering and Processing Information
The main areas covered are
(a) General study skills.
(b) Listening skills.
(b) Comprehension skills for wide range of oral and written material.
(c) Oral summary presentations and summary writing
(d) Critical thinking skills - evaluating arguments and assessing concepts
(e) Using sources and research including data collection methods


Module 2: Language and Community


The main areas covered are
(a) The concept of language
(b) Creole and Creole-influenced languages in the Caribbean
(c) Language and the Caribbean identity and attitudes towards language.
(d) Language in society – development, social, psychological and political
models for language analysis
(e) Communication and technology


Module 3: Speaking and writing


The main areas covered are
(a) Communication theories
(b) Contexts of communication and using the appropriate methods
(c) Organising speaking and writing
(d) Producing a variety of forms of speech and written communication



A full copy of the syllabus can be purchased at Gaymes Book Store. You can get a copy of an extract from the syllabus which gives details of the content of the modules from the Business Copy Centre at College.



We recommend that you have and read the syllabus.