Aims

Communication skills are highly valued in the workplace but this module extends beyond exclusively vocational needs, recognising that the acquisition of these skills is a life-long process, and central to personal, social and professional development and fulfilment.

Areas of Study

Unit 1 Listening and Speaking

Learners should be able to:

• understand key terms used in communications theory such as sender, receiver, message, code, channel, communicate, noise, feedback, context, with particular reference to working life
• recognise the kinds of listening required in different contexts e.g. understanding, interpreting, receiving information
• demonstrate a range of listening behaviours appropriate to the context such as eye contact, facial expression, encouragement, control of own responses
• practise communications techniques relevant to different situations in work and leisure, such as conversations, interviews, formal presentations, message taking/giving and telephone dialogues
• participate effectively in group discussion and negotiated decision making
• co-operate and contribute effectively in formal meetings
• prepare and deliver an oral presentation and answer questions.

Unit 2 Reading and Writing

Learners should be able to:

• gather information from a range of written material including technical/vocational, personal, literary, business and media communication
• read critically, with objectivity and discrimination, a range of media texts including written, visual and broadcast texts
• apply a reading approach appropriate to purpose and the nature of the text e.g. skimming, obtaining an overview, identifying key points, extracting information, critical evaluation, in-depth analysis
• recognise some key issues currently facing media consumers such as freedom of information, tabloidisation, censorship, state regulation, ownership and control etc.
• write clearly, confidently and expressively in a variety of forms relating to personal, creative, vocational and social needs
• use with confidence the vocabulary and language conventions relevant to a specific area of work
• follow the conventions of writing for a specific purpose including reports, memoranda, minutes, applications, letters, faxes etc.
• observe the current conventions of written English usage (spelling, punctuation, syntax etc.) in accordance with purpose
• draft, edit and proof-read written documents
• plan and undertake research into a topic related to a vocational specialism, using a variety of sources, both primary (e.g. interviews and observations) and secondary (e.g. internet, media, libraries).

Unit 3 Non-Verbal and Visual Communication

Learners should be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of various non-verbal and visual codes such as signs, symbols, still and moving images, cartoons, body signals, music, numbers, dance, colour
• demonstrate an awareness of ways in which the body communicates non- verbally through gesture, posture, appearance, eye and physical contact, facial expression, proximity and orientation etc.
• demonstrate appropriate non-verbal communication in a range of settings including one-to-one, group, formal and informal
• recognise the role of perception in the communication process and factors that affect it such as sensory variation, stereotyping, prejudice
• recognise the ways physical environment communicates e.g. structure, shape, colour, texture, smell, sound
• construct and interpret visual aids and/or images.

Unit 4 Communications Technology

Learners should be able to:

• explain the impact of communication and information technology on personal, social and vocational life
• describe the various uses of technology to assist communication e.g. computers, telephones, fax, video recorders, the Internet, electronic fund transfer, data communications systems
• use a range of communications technologies to exchange information with another user e.g. e- mail, fax, mobile telephone
• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the use of technology in communications
• outline current relevant legislation (e.g. the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act) in terms of rights, responsibilities, grievances and penalties.