What would the world be like if we couldn’t communicate with each other? That means no talking, no emailing, and dare I say it, no texting! What a different world we would live in. As social beings, communication is one of our most important tools. Whether it is verbal communication, hand gestures or written communication, all of these types of communication are used as forms of expression. These forms of expression can help us share our ideas and feelings and also help us to understand the ideas and feelings of others.

Throughout school and even beyond, communication skills are very important. When trying to express yourself to your teachers and your peers it is your ability to communicate that will make or break you. There is a lot to be said for people who are able to use their written communication skills to write clear, concise essays and your grades will reflect this. Being able to communicate on a small scale, like discussing ideas with a peer or even publicly by doing a presentation in front of the class, are times when having good communication skills will make you stand out.

Even in the work force, communication skills are one of the first skills employers look for in candidates. Your interview with them indicates how well you can communicate and what kind of skills you can bring to the table. Employers want to know that you can communicate effectively with co-workers and clients. Whether it’s a presentation in school or a business presentation for your career, developing these skills is very beneficial.

Here are some tips to help you improve your communication skills:

1)      Be a good listener – in order to successfully communicate with others you need to really listen to what they are saying so that you can respond effectively.

2)      Be aware of your body language – sometimes your body is telling people one thing while your mouth is telling them another. Being aware of your body language will send people the right message.

3)      Be engaging – raise your pitch so that you don’t sound monotone.  In addition to this, enhance your communication by maintaining eye contact. Also, use an appropriate volume so that your audience can hear you.

4)      Slow down – talking too fast is a tell-tale sign that you’re nervous. Slow down your speech in order to sound more confident in what you are saying.