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how to improve communication skills in englishCommunication is the gateway to all relationships, expressions, and activities that we engage in during our everyday life.  Imagine trying to tell your best friend how your day went without being able to use any method of verbal communication.  Of course you could pick up sign language, but even with that, you would still be left with some loopholes.  On the contrary, just because you know a language does not mean you can communicate it well.  However, if you are trying to communicate with your second language, being able to communicate effectively can be an even tougher task to manage.  Let’s take the English language for example, as it is the most commonly used language among foreign language speakers.  Whether or not English is your first language, you are going to need to use it to communicate effectively.  Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to improve your communication skills in English.

Types of Communication

Before we go over the ways to improve your communication skills in English, let’s take a look at some forms of communication and why they are important.

Verbal:  We use it every day!  No matter what we are doing, or who we are with, practicing verbal communication is an ideal way to get your point across.  When you are verbal with someone, you also have the opportunity to use your words to convey emotion.

Nonverbal:  With technology, nonverbal communication is becoming much more common.  We are more apt to use email, reports, and other messaging techniques to get our points across.

Formal:  Knowing how to communicate formally is essential when you are with elders, in the workplace, or talking to superiors.  Being informal with certain people could cost you!

Informal:  On the other hand, informal communication helps to loosen people up in a group setting and engage and cultivate relationships freely.

Improving your English Communication

Now that we have the types of communication down, let’s get into the things you can do to improve your communication skills in English.

Speaking:  Communication relies heavily on speaking, and in English, you are going to need to know how to speak and relay your information properly to get your point across.  To improve your speaking skills in English, you can:

Listening:  Communication is not just about talking, it is about lending an ear as well!  The tricky thing with listening to English is that not everyone speaks English the way that people are taught it as a second language.  There is a lot of slang involved depending on where the person is from.  The help yourself become a better listener when listening to an English speaker, try these tips out:

Writing:  When looking to improve your English communication skills, you can look to other forms of communication outside of verbal speaking, such as writing.  To improve your communication in writing:

Take Your Time!

Communication is a tough skill to master.  As you are going through improving your English communication, remember to not get discouraged!  It can be tough to try to understand and get a message across, so take your time, be patient, and consult with Udemy’s online courses for any further assistance.  Soon you will be speaking and communicating with confidence!

Page Last Updated: February 2020

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