British College of Applied Studies (BCAS) BTEC HND in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics

Unit Unit No. Level Learning Hours

: Communication Skills : 21566B : H1 : 60

DESCRIPTION OF UNIT This unit intends to develop the ability to communicate effectively and to be competent, to build self confidence and to be fluent in the spoken language. The objective behind this is to provide students with the logical system of sending and receiving messages clearly either in writing or in spoken language. This will equip students to comprehend and transmit their thoughts on a one-to-one basis so that they will be able to generate responses as they become more effective; enabling them to be effective listeners during lectures and prompt them to be more interactive in the learning process through out their course of study. It will also prepare them to be expressive and be receptive to others ideas and expressions. Further, the unit aims to develop self reliance and self confidence in students that will help them to become successful professionals. This unit also intends to lay the foundation for preparation of reports and presentations in an effective manner that are essential ingredients of the whole study programme, adopting the academic standards.

SUMMARY OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. 2. 3.

Develop the oral communication and language competency for Demonstrate ability to communicate information in an effective and Demonstrate ability to make effective presentations and learn the art of

effective communication. summative written form. personality development.

All rights are reserved by BCAS Page 1 / 6

British College of Applied Studies (BCAS) BTEC HND in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics

CONTENTS

1. Oral communication and language competency.

Introduction to forms of effective communication; spoken, write or non verbal transmission, importance of a language and communication fluency for successful career performance , importance of listening competency and comprehension, conversations; reception and transmission in an effective manner, public speaking, ethics and standards in communications.

2. Communicate information in an effective and summative written form.

Importance documents of writing skills, introduction to modes and forms of written communications; correspondence, reports, news letters, magazines and other forms of

Letter writing; key elements, formats, types; official communications, job

applications

Report writing; identifying the purpose and objectives; why, what and to whom,
structuring a report; contents and their objectives, distinguishing the acknowledgement, introduction and conclusion, how to formulate the body/text part of the report, need and purpose of annexure/appendices, appropriate referencing within the text and under the section of References, introduction to Harvard referencing method, use of learning centres and data bases (manual/electronic) for reception of information, processing necessary information for the purpose with logical thinking, synthesizing ideas in to a clear form, summery writing, importance of tabulated and diagrammatic information.

Other forms of writings; new letters and articles, advertisements CV preparation; objective, formats, important inclusions

All rights are reserved by BCAS

Page 2 / 6

British College of Applied Studies (BCAS) BTEC HND in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics

3. Presentations and Personality development

Presentations of visual/oral form, presentation skills; extracting and planning the material vs time management, oral presentation (vocal variety in pitch & intensity, action, eye contact and body language), use of audio/visual aids, how to face an interview, business meetings, building up self confidence and self value, learning the art of social/professional communication.

All rights are reserved by BCAS

Page 3 / 6

British College of Applied Studies (BCAS) BTEC HND in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Outcomes Assessment criteria: To achieve each outcome the student must demonstrate the ability to Discuss topics with ability to communicate with confidence Show ability to listen and comprehend Deliver a speech for a given context Explain the importance of adopting ethics and standards in communication

1. Develop the oral

communication and language competency for effective communication.

2. Demonstrate ability to
process and communicate information in an effective and summative written form.

Explain and discuss the need and importance of written communication in professional practice Prepare a business letter for a given context Prepare a report for a given topic/subject or as specified Make justification of how you managed the above task in writing and in a viva voce, in all stages of preparing this report Compile an article for a Magazine or Newsletter

3. Demonstrate ability to make Deliver a Presentation for a given/chosen topic in power point
effective presentations and with other necessary audio/visual aids learn the art of personality Display how you will face an interview development. Conduct a meeting in the form of a role play as groups Write agendas/ minutes of meetings /Memos Explain the need and importance of self confidence for successful performance in any sphere of life or career Achieve a high level of self control and discipline of character with a well planed agenda to suit time and not convenience

All rights are reserved by BCAS

Page 4 / 6

British College of Applied Studies (BCAS) BTEC HND in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics

DELIVERY The delivery of this module will be more on an interactive basis with the optimum two way communication. Students are encouraged to make an active participation so as to develop their communication skills and the personality given the opportunity of building up self confidence. All teaching materials must be checked and approved by the Quality management team before they are issued to the students. Students will receive relevant notes from the lecturer when the topic is introduced. During the theory sessions students will receive sets of project work and tutorials related to the topics discussed by the lecturer. The lecturer will guide the students for the discussions and group work during their self study sessions. Self study includes reading materials in the book list and attempting exercises in preparation for the tutorials. Usually the unit is delivered using lectures and projects. Lectures will comprise 2 hours per day stretched to 2 days per week (2x2hr) and 2 hours of discussion/ tutorials per week.

ASSESSMENT This unit will be assessed through continuous assignments. As the primary objective of this module is to improve the communication skills, the assignments will focus on developing the oral, written and presentation skills. All learning outcomes of the unit cannot be effectively assessed by written form. Therefore, usage of a standard log book for individual students to mark the continuous assessment is strongly recommended in addition to written submissions. The log book should be duly updated by the students and signed by the assessor on a weekly basis, if necessary on a daily basis. To pass this unit, the learners evidence for assessment needs to demonstrate that all the learning outcomes for the unit have been met. These criteria for grading describe the level of achievement required to earn Merit and Distinction.
All rights are reserved by BCAS Page 5 / 6

British College of Applied Studies (BCAS) BTEC HND in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics

To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to

To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that the learner

is able to M1. Identify and apply strategies to find D1. Use critical reflection to evaluate own appropriate solutions work and justify valid conclusions M2. Select/ design and apply appropriate D2. Take responsibility for managing and methods/ techniques organizing activities M3. Present and communicate appropriate D3. Demonstrate convergent/ findings creative thinking lateral/

LINKS The unit aims to develop the communication skills of the students that will contribute towards successful performance throughout the study programme. Specifically the unit envisages improving the report writing skills that is essential in assignment submissions in all other units. By encouraging personality development, the unit also aims to increase participation during lectures of the study programme and promote career development.

RESOURCES Learners should have access to a wide range of library resources, including text books, News papers, internet and other associated documents.

READING LIST Rawlins, K. (1996) Study Skills for Adult Learners. Macmillan Magazines Ltd. Stanton, N. (1996) Mastering Communications. 3rd ed., Basingstoke:Macmillan Scott, B. Communication for professional engineers Thomas Telford

All rights are reserved by BCAS

Page 6 / 6