SARJANA MUDA PENGAJARAN PENDIDIKAN SEKOLAH RENDAH

JANUARI / 2011

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ENGLISH FOR ORAL CUMMUNICATION

NO. MATRIKULASI NO. KAD PENGNEALAN NO. TELEFON E-MEL PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN

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COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH IN SELECTED SOCIAL CONTEXTS INTRODUCTION English is well known as a global language (Crystal, 2003). It is used widely around the world, in the hotel, menu in the restaurant, signs and advertisement and many more. In other words, English is an international means of communication. Nowadays, speaking in English is no more a trend. In certain situations, to speak in English is a must. In universities for example, English becomes the language of instructions. Lectures are conducted in English and most of the references used are written in English. If one does not know English, in other words, is not being able to communicate effectively in English, he or she will face difficulties to catch up with others in study. In addition, recently, in getting a good job, one must also know how to communicate on English since a big company usually not only do business locally but also internationally. Thus, by hook or by crook, if we wanted to get a good job, we must know English and we must know how to communicate in English effectively. How to communicate effectively? How speaking and listening interrelated to each other to make sure effective communication occur? Communication is a complex process that one must know. Effective communication occurs when there is similarity in the idea transmitted from the speaker and the idea received by the listener (Ogili, 2005). Thus, both speaker and listener must have a good speaking and listening skills. According to Ogili (2005), as a speaker, it is very important to choose and use the language that is understood by the listener. For example, simple vocabulary, suitable body movement and facial expression, and also symbols that are well known by the listener. On the other hand, the listener must know how to listen effectively. Among the strategies are to focus on what the speaker said. To get richer understanding, symbols or body language of the speaker sometimes convey more messages thus, the listener must try to interpret the symbols and the body language. There are various forms of oral communication in English. Among them are face to face and using mechanical devices. First and foremost, face to face communication is still the most effective way to communicate (Forms of Oral Communication, n.d.). Face to face MAA OUMH1303

means the process of exchanging information, thoughts and feeling with the participants who are in the same physical context. Seminar, conferences and interviews are some of the examples where face to face communications take place. Secondly, oral communications also take place by using mechanical devices such as intercom and telephones. There are also other forms of oral communication such as intra and interpersonal communication, small group communication, public communication, Thus, this paper, entitled Communicating Effectively in Spoken English in Selected Social Context will further discussed on how oral communication works in different social contexts. This paper will also discuss about three forms of oral communication which may occur in different social contexts such as interpersonal communication, small group communication and public communication (public speaking). Lastly, in conclusion, this paper will touch on barriers and strategies needed for effective speaking in different social contexts.

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INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEFINITIONS According to Foundation Coalition (2003), interpersonal communication is the process that we use to communicate our ideas, thoughts, and feelings to another person (Foundation Coalition, 2003). It includes sending and receiving messages between two or more individuals. All aspects of communication such as listening, persuading, verbal and nonverbal communication are to be used to maximise the effectiveness of interpersonal communication. In addition, these skills of interpersonal communication are learned behaviours and it can be improved through knowledge, practice, feedback, and reflection (Foundation Coalition, 2003). On the other hand, Bochers (1999) in his article mentions that researchers had suggested two ways to define interpersonal communication which are through contextual view and developmental view. According to contextual view (Gouran, Dennis,Wiethoff and Doelger, 1994), interpersonal communication differs from other forms of communication. It involves few participants that interact with each other in a close physical proximity. It also uses many sensory channels such as sight, sound and touch and the feedback is immediate. On the other hand, developmental view suggests that interpersonal communication occurs between people who known each other for quite some times (Gouran, Dennis,Wiethoff and Doelger, 1994). Thus, based on the definitions suggested above, one can conclude that interpersonal communication is the process where interaction occurs between at least two or more people that uses many sensory channels and communication skills (listening, speaking) to convey message, ideas and thought. It is also occurs between people who know each other for some time.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION There are many contexts that interpersonal communication occurs in our daily life for instance as a teacher in school. As a teacher, sometimes we face many kinds of situations that needed us to interact with the students effectively; either in handling their behaviours or in making sure that they learn in class effectively. Listed here two importance of interpersonal communication which are; to gain information and to build context of understanding (Schutz, 1985 as cited in Borchers, 1999). GARNING INFORMATION One reason we engage in interpersonal communication is so that we can gain knowledge about another individual. As a teacher, when there are students who did not performed well in class, a teacher must try to interrogate reasons why it happened. According to Social Penetration Theory, one can better predict how someone think, feel, and act if we know who they are. This information can be gained by observing them or interactively engaging them ourselves. This is called self-disclosure. Thus, a teacher can meet the student individually and communicate with the student to gain information about the students and collect reasons why he/she did not performed well in study. CONTEXT OF UNDERSTANDING Interpersonal communication helps us understand each other better. We also engage in interpersonal communication to help us better understand what someone says. In the same situation, a teacher may call the low performance student for individual learning where the teacher and the student can give more focus to the context of the subject taught. Thus, when the context is clear and understood by both, the communication will be more effective and the lesson will be conducted effectively.

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EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION For effective interpersonal communication takes place, there are several strategies that one can follow. Among them are: FOCUS ON WHAT YOU KNOW When communicating, one should not evaluate others especially about something that one does not know. It is better to talk about ourselves or matters that familiar to us for example information that we had read and observed. One also should avoid making assumptions about other people or situations. Due to this, it can help to avoid misunderstanding and bad feeling from the other person. FOCUS ON THE ISSUE, NOT THE PERSON When attempting a conversation, try to focus on the issue that we decided to talk even if we talk with someone who had problems with us. In this situation, it is good for someone to not to take everything personally but express our own needs and opinions in terms of the issues we are discussing. Leave everything personal behind and communicate professionally so that the conversation achieved its aims and the entire message that are to be sent received by the listener. SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION DEFINITION Small group can be defined according to size, interaction and goals.

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SIZE Most researchers define a small group as having at least three and no more than twelve or fifteen members. A group needs to have at least three members, otherwise it would simply be a pair. With three members, coalitions can be formed and some kind of organization is present. Too large of a group which is more than twelve or fifteen members reduce the group members' ability to communicate with everyone else in the group. INTERACTION A group's members must be able to communicate freely and openly with all of the other members of the group. Groups will develop norms about discussion and group members will develop roles which will affect the group's interaction. GOALS A group must have a common purpose or goal and they must work together to achieve that goal. The goal brings the group together and holds it together through conflict and tension. FUNCTIONS OF A SMALL GROUP People join groups for a variety of reasons. Some group members are motivated by task concerns and others are motivated by interpersonal attraction to other group members. Thus, listed below are two functions of small group that I think is the most common.

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GROUP SYNERGY According to Sarah (1995), group synergy has close relation to the idea that two heads (or more) are better than one. The phrase, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," is also refers to group synergy. In other word, group work has high capability in producing a high quality product and a better decision making compared to individual work. For example, in a company, a group of workers are working together on a big project. Each of the group members may contribute their best opinions and suggestions that can be use to complete their project successfully. However, this statement can be the other way round if the group communication is failed. SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT As defined before, a group usually consist of at least three people. Thus, with three people, they may be more willing to take on a big project compare to when they working alone. Moreover, when working in group, each group member can provide supports and encouragement to each other while working hard on the project that they do (Benne, Kenneth and Paul, 1948). For instance, one of the project members was almost give up on the project due to their failure in proposal. There are still other group members who still can give supports and encouragement. Due to this, it can help to increase the ability of the group to perform their best in work. EFFECTIVE SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION Communication is about expressing and conveying thoughts, feelings, opinions and ideas to another person or persons. There are various social contexts where small group communication occurs. For example, in academic context, students often form small groups for study, discussions or to work on projects. Whereas, at the workplace, small groups are usually formed to discuss issues related to work, companys project and problem-solving or team-building purposes. Thus, an effective communication in small group is very important.

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GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILL In order to have an effective communication, one must have good communication skills. This is because it can help us to confidently take charge of unfamiliar situations. Moreover, people will be more likely to listen to us or whatever we have to say if we can express ourselves well. As in small group communication, this is particularly useful in influencing and negotiating other group members. It also comes in handy in resolving conflict and dealing with difficult and problematic group members. GOOD MANNER We can also foster effective team communication in our small group by a mixing oldfashioned good manners, good attention and open-mindedness. For examples, listen to other when they are talking and do not interrupt until they finish talking. It sounds like a small matter but if we do not has this manner, the person who talk may feel uneasy and the massage that is to be imparted will not received by other group members effectively. BE CONCISE As for the speaker, one must talk slowly and clearly. This is to make sure the other group members can focus and grab the important points that we want to deliver. Other than that, we also should focus on the important points that we want to convey. Be concise and do not rumble. This will help the other group members to understand what we are saying.

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PUBLIC COMMUNICATION OR PUBLIC SPEAKING DEFINITION Public speaking is the process of speaking in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners (Lewis, 2010). Public Speaking can also be defined according to the aim and audience. AIM The aim of the speaker is usually to inform or to persuade the audience to act, buy, or think in a certain way. In school, a teacher may address an assembly of students on how to pass exam with flying colours. A head master may make speeches on how to handle students with difficult behaviours. A discipline teacher may talk to the students about codes of behaviour and the effects of breaking the codes of behaviour. It is important to understand some of the basic principles of effective public speaking so that you are able to influence, persuade as well as entertain your audience when you communicate with them. AUDIENCE Public speaking or public communication involves communication between a speaker and an audience. The audience may range from just a few people to thousands or even millions of people. It may happen between a teacher and students, a manager and the workers, or a politician and the voters. THE IMPORTANT OF PUBLIC SPEAKING According to Greg (2011) there are many reasons why public speaking is important. Listed below are some of the importances of public speaking suggested by Greg (2011).

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INCREASE SELF-CONFIDENCE By learning how to effectively speak in public, we will be able to increase our own self-confidence. Since public speaking is one of the most prevalent fears, by enabling ourselves to master this difficult skill, we will have the confidence that we need to meet future challenges. Public speaking regularly helps to make us more comfortable around other people, including strangers. Once we are capable of greeting and instructing an entire room full of strangers or at least most of them strangers, it will be nothing to smile and shake hands and meet new individuals in more personal and less threatening circumstances. TO PERSUADE We can better persuade people when we are able to appeal to them as human beings that have emotions, desires and thoughts just like we do. Public speaking is by nature important because it is a primary and powerful avenue to give of youself and to share with others in a profitable way. Whether you're truly offering free advice, or trying to convince your audience that you do really know what they're talking about, public speaking is a perfect avenue for compelling give and take. This is what politicians always do. Public speaking is the method that they use to convince the crowd that they are capable in doing their job and to persuade the voters to vote for them. Without the ability to speak to the crowd effectively, the politicians may not get high vote from the voters. GREAT OPPURTUNITY AHEAD Learning to master public speaking early is a great way especially for students to perform better in school or college, as well as offer them greater opportunities to be accepted into their top choice schools. The skills we will glean by learning the art of public speaking can boost our performance and value in just about any arena. It is also important because at some point in life, everyone will be required to involve themselves in one type of public speaking or another. Thus, by accepting this fact quickly and preparing for it accordingly will help us wind up a step ahead in our life compared to others.

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EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING There are 3 steps suggested by Zeoli (2009) towards an effective public speaking. The steps are through perception, perfection and discipline. PERCEPTION This step reminded us to stop trying to be a great public speaker. This is because people want to listen to someone who is interesting, relaxed, and comfortable. In the routine conversations we have every day, we have no problem being ourselves. To become an effective public speaker, we must do just the opposite: focus on the speaking and let go of the public. Think of it as a conversation between us and the audience. If we can carry on a relaxed conversation with one or two people, we can give a great speech. Whether our audience consists of two people or two thousand and whether we are talking about the latest international issues or only about what we did today in school, be ourselves, talk directly to people and make a connection with them. PERFECTION In public speaking, one thing we must hold is when we make mistakes, no one will cares but us. Even the most accomplished public speaker will make a mistake at some point. So, when we make mistakes, just keep in mind that we notice the mistakes more than anyone in our audience. The most important thing a speaker can do after making a mistake is to keep going. Do not stop unless the mistake can change what the whole world thinking. Sometimes, a mistake can actually work for us because it allows us to connect with our audience. People do not want to hear from someone who is perfect, they will relate much more easily to someone who is real.

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DISCIPLINE Practice makes perfectly good. We must remember that our goal is not to be a perfect public speaker but an effective public speaker. Like anything else in life, communication also needs practice. We often take communication for granted because we speak to people every day. But when our prosperity is directly linked to how well we perform in front a group, we need to give the task the same attention as if we were a professional athlete. Remember, even world champion athletes practice every day. Thus, be able to conduct an effective public speaking, practice is a must.

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REFERENCES MALAYSIA, Open University . OUMM1303 English for Oral Communication. Kuala Lumpur Dodd, J. (Ed.). (1997)The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors (2nd ed.)Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. Wilder, L. (1999) 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking New York: John Wiley & Sons

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