2. Why Are Communication Skills Important?
Communication skills:
The key to develop(keep) friendship and to build a strong social
support network.
Help us take care of our own needs, while being respectful of the
needs of others
Build up confidence in interacting with others
3. • Assertiveness
3 areas of communication that you may want to
practice are:
• Non-verbal communication
• Conversation skills
4. A large part of what we communicate to each other.
Your body language and tone of voice do communicate powerful
messages to others about your:
Emotional state(e.g. impatience, fear)
Knowledge of the topic
Honesty(do you have a secret agenda?)
5. Step 1: Identifying your Trouble Spots
To get started, ask yourself a few questions:
• Do I have trouble maintaining eye contact when talking with others?
• Do I smile too much because of nervousness? Too little?
Some of the nonverbal behaviors you may want to pay attention to are:
• Posture
• Movements and gestures
6. Step 2: Experiment with and practice non-verbal skills
• Try to practice one skill at a time, so you can make sure you have mastered
it before moving on to the next skill.
• You may want to ask a trusted friend or relative to give you some feedback
on your non-verbal behavior.
• You can also practice your new non-verbal skills in front of a mirror.
7. One of the biggest challenges for someone with social anxiety is
starting conversations and keeping them going.
Below are some questions that you may want to ask yourself to identify the
areas you want to work on.
• Do I have trouble starting conversations?
• Do I quickly run out of things to say?
Step 1: Identifying your Trouble Spots
8. Watch the short conversation between two friends, afterwards make
some tips for a good conversation.
9. Step 2: Experiment and practice your conversation
skills
Below are a few suggestions for some practice situations:
• Speak to a stranger
• Staffroom at lunch
• Have friends over for a get-together
• Try giving a compliment: resolve to give
at least compliments each day
10. Assertive communication is the honest expression of one’s own
needs, wants and feelings, while respecting those of other person.
Step 1: Identifying your trouble spots
Tips for Communicating Assertively
• Describe the positive things that you would like to happen.
• If your request is granted, you may want to give him something in
change of your favor.
• Being assertive also means willing to consider new information.
11. Tips for saying “NO”
• Remember to use assertive body language when saying “No”.
• Always stand up for your decision before you speak.
Step 2: practice your new assertiveness skill
• First, think of a couple past scenarios when you avoided giving opinion
• Practice saying your assertive statement out loud to yourself, to get used
to it for.
• Next, think of a situation that is coming up in the next week
• Try it out
12. Barriers To Behaving Assertively- Myths About Assertiveness
Myth #1: assertiveness means getting your own way all the time
Myth #2: Being assertive means being selfish
Myth #3: passivity is the way to be loved
Myth #4: It’s impolite to disagree
Myth #5: I have to do everything I am asked to do
13. EXERCISE 1.
Directions: Compose your own conversation out of the given comics strips
EXERCISE 2.
The class will be divided into five groups and present an on the spot role play
about the future of earth upon facing a futuristic world involving rapid
advancement of technology.