Blog Post #7

This module has added more dimensions to my initial perception of appealing communication.

Active listening used to be my main concern. However, active listening doesn’t simply refer to lending a listening ear. There are more factors. One of which is social-cultural barrier. Being in this module, especially this class, is the best I could have hoped for. The mixture of classmates of different nationalities and backgrounds has aided the progress of my conversation skills. Through the interactions with my peers during lessons as well as outside of class, I was able to appreciate the meaning of intercultural communication.

There is more than one type of communication. I’ve split them into 2 main categories for ease of understanding: formal and informal. Informal refers to our daily interactions with our family, friends or even acquaintances. It’s like wearing different masks when faced with different people. This falls under awareness of the target audience. I’m sure everyone is doing that subconsciously, just that this term isn’t coined officially. On the other hand, how one presents oneself during an interview, a meeting or a presentation is then the formal part of communication. Here, the masks I put on diverge much more from my personality. Circumstances of such formal interactions dictates this need, we don’t have a choice. The lesson I’ve picked up from this module is that for any formal interaction (even for informal ones), everyone needs confidence regardless of the role one plays. It would be best if one is already assured of one’s worth. If not, we can rely on false bravado. Practise in the mirror daily if you have to, confidence has to ooze out from you.

There are much more which I have learnt, but the above are the more interesting messages that I want to share. Au revoir, ES 2007S! Bye to the fun and laughter we shared. Bye to the friends I’ve made (Miss Kim, I meant you too!). Bye...