IGNOU MCS-015 Communication Skills

Communication Skills

Objectives This course is aimed to develop the communication skills at the work place. In this course, we concentrate on English at the workplace. You are probably wondering whether business English (as it is also called) is a separate language to general English. Certainly not, business English is not a separate language. It is English used at the workplace using specific vocabulary, and in certain situations having a different discourse. Every profession uses a certain 'jargon' and the business context in no different. While Business English is firmly rooted in general English, nevertheless there are certain distinguishing features which are evident. In this course, you will learn -some theoretical inputs into the process of communication, its different types, the difference between written and oral communication. We then concentrate on the structure of conversation - its characteristics and conventions, effectively speaking over the telephone, preparing Curriculum vitae for jobs and interviews, preparing and participating in the Group Discussions, presentation skills, making negotiations and many more. Syllabus BLOCK 1: Skills Needed at the Work Place - I Unit 1: The Process of Communication *Introduction: What is Communication? *The Process of Communication *Barriers to Communication *Different Types of Communication *Written vs. Oral Communication *Different Types of Face-to-Face Interactions *Characteristics and Conventions of Conversation *Conversational Problems of Second/Foreign Language Users * Difference between Conversation and Other Speech Events Unit 2: Telephone Techniques *Warm Up *Speaking and Listening: Commonly Used Phrases in Telephone Conversations *Reading: Conference Calls *Vocabulary *Writing and Listening: Leaving a Message *Grammar and Usage: The Perfect Tenses *Pronunciation: Contracted Forms Unit 3: Job Applications and Interviews *Warm up *Reading *Vocabulary: Apply for a Job *Curriculum Vitae *Language Focus: Some Useful Words *Study Skills: Preparing for an Interview *Listening * Speaking * Writing Unit 4: Group Discussions *Reading *Writing Skills *Listening: How to be Successful in a Group Discussion *Study Skills *Language Focus *Vocabulary *Speaking *Grammar: Connectives *Pronunciation Unit 5: Managing Organisational Structure *Warm Up: Ability to Influence and Lead *Reading: The Role of a Manager *Vocabulary: Leadership *Speaking and Listening . *Language Focus: Degree of Probability Grammar: Modals *Writing: Reports *Pronunciation Unit 6: Meetings *Reading: A Successful Meeting *Speaking: One to One Meetings *Language Focus: Opening, Middle and Close *Study Skills: Editing *Listening: Criteria for Successful Meetings *Vocabulary *Grammar: Reporting Verbs *Writing: Memos * Pronunciation: Stress According to Part of Speech Unit 7: Taking Notes and Preparing Minutes * Taking Notes 0 The Note-taking Skill: The Essential Components 0 The Note-taking Skill: An Example *Preparing Minutes 0 Format of Minutes 0 Language and Style of Minutes * Grammar: Using the Passive Voice Unit 8: Presentation Skills - I *Reading: Presentation Skills *Grammar: Verbs often Required in Presentations *Language Focus *Listening: Importance of Body Language in Presentations *Speaking: Preparing an Outline of a Presentation * Pronunciation Unit 9: Presentation Skills - II *Reading: Structure of Presentation *Study Skills: Visual Aids *Ending the Presentation *Language Focus: Talking about Increase and Decrease *Grammar: Prepositions *Listening: Podium Panic *Speaking *Pronunciation: Emphasizing the Important Words in Context Unit 10: Negotiation Skills *Language Focus: Idiomatic Expressions *Study Skills: Process of Negotiations *Grammar: Phrasal Verbs *Listening: Effective Negotiations *Speaking *Writing S. No. Counselling Sessions Number of Sessions Comments 1. Theory Sessions 2 One Session on Block -I One session on Block-2 Sessions Session Block to be Topics to be covered Number Covered Theory 1 Block-l Process of Communication, Telephonic Techniques, Job Counselling (Units 1 to 5) Applications and Interviews, Group Discussions & Managing Organizational Structure 2 Block-2 Meetings, Taking notes and preparing minutes, (Units 6 to Presentation Skills I & II and Negotiation skills. 10)