Communication and Its Forms

COMMUNICATION AND ITS FORMS

TASK 1

Describe the pictures.

(You are supposed to talk about the pictures for approximately 5 miutes.)

1
 Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3
In the third picture, we can see 2 people in an Italian restaurant. There is a young woman sitting at
a table and a waiter standing next to it. It is a garden restaurant. There is a glass of red wine in front of
the woman. It must be a hot autumn day. There are some grapes hanging above their heads. The
woman must be a tourist. She is wearing a sleeveless top, sunglasses and jeans. There is her rucksack
on the floor next to her. In her right hand she is holding a pencil, in her left hand there is a picture of
a mushrooom. I think she has painted it herself because she can´t speak Italian, and the waiter doesn´t
understand her. She wants the waiter to bring her some mushrooms or a dish with mushrooms. That
is why she has painted the picture. The waiter is a typical Italian with wavy black hair and
a moustache. He is wearing an untidy old jacket and a white shirt. He has a broad smile on his face. In
his left hand, he is holding an umbrella. In my opinion, the waiter didn´t understand the woman and
her picture. Instead of mushrooms, he has brought her the umbrella.

TASK 2
What forms of communication do people use in their everyday life?

People use their language to communicate thoughts and feelings.

Verbal communication is spoken language. People talk to each other every day. We may repeat our
sentences, explain them in a simpler way, or ask questions. Many of us prefer talking to others face to
face. There are different kinds of conversation: formal, informal, chatting, gossiping (klebetenie).
Others like silence and do not use a lot of words. Silence can sometimes communicate ideas more
powerfully than speech. Another form of communication is writing. It´s a better form of
communication for recording facts and ideas. Written words can be read several times, texts can be
usually longer and more complicated.
Non-verbal communication means using symbols, signs, body language = gestures, postures
(postoje) and facial expressions. Our bodies are constantly talking. We smile, frown (mračiť sa) or
make different gestures and shapes (tvary) with our hands. Sometimes we join words with gestures,
other times our bodies show our feelings or thoughts. When we yawn (zívame), we are tired or bored.
Sitting with eyes and mouth wide open means that we are fascinated. Banging your fist on the table or
stamping (dupanie) your feet expresses anger, shaking hands or hugging shows pleasure or
satisfaction. We produce thousands of signs every day. We are able to understand non-verbal
performers like mime artists or dancers who “speak” body language fluently. We also know the
language of music – it can be the universal language.
Sign language is a type of communication used by deaf people.
When in danger, we send a mayday. A system of sending messages, using dots and dashes or short
and long sounds or flashes of light, is called Morse code. When travelling, we usually read
pictograms or drivers find their way from traffic signs.

What is your favourite way of communicating? Why?

What modern forms of communication do people use in everyday life?

Other possible types of communication are mobile phones, the Internet, especially e-mails, Skype,
chat rooms, popular social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
One of the most popular is cell phone communication.

CELL PHONE
 The most important advantage of cell phones is that you can use them almost everywhere.
 You can reach people easily. Also, when somebody wants to reach you, he can get in
touch with you by touching a few buttons.
  You can communicate with everyone whenever you want to and wherever you are.
Beside this, if there is an urgent situation, such as an accident or a meeting with someone,
you certainly need a mobile phone.
 You can access the internet by using a cell phone.
 The most common way of communication has been text messaging. Cell phones include
this system; in this way, you can communicate with someone cheaper than a common
call.
 You can carry a cell phone easily.
 Cell phones are not only used for communication, but they can also be used for taking
pictures, listening to music, playing games, or getting onto the internet, to name just
a few.

SKYPE
 You can speak to other users in almost any country in the world for free.
 Skype is freely available to download, so anybody can install the software.
 You can use webcams so that you can see and be seen by the person you are speaking to.
 If you use a microphone and speakers, then anyone in the room can hear and take part in
the conversation. This allows the whole family to take part in the conversation. If,
however, you prefer your conversations to be more private, you can use a headset.
 You can save money if you use Skype to call other people.

FACEBOOK
 Facebook is a great way to meet friends.
 When you add a friend to your Facebook friend list, you will always know when they are
adding things to their blogs or updating their profiles.
 You can join Facebook groups to meet people like you, or browse the profiles to find new
friends.
 Facebook tells you when your friends are updating their profiles, adding to their blogs or have
some other news on their website.
 Photo Album: you can add photos and photo albums to your Facebook profile.
 You can create your own simple blog.
 You can search and browse for people on Facebook easily.
 Music: You can add music to your Facebook profile.
 Video: You can also add video to your Facebook profile.
 Chatrooms: You can talk with people using Messenger, you can send and receive text
messages, use emoticons to show your mood and feelings, send documets, pictures, photos or
videos.
Are you good at understanding non-verbal communication? Give examples of feelings or
messages you can express with your face or hands only.

Why do people learn foreign languages?

 Using a foreign language helps us communicate with people abroad, make new friends or
meet businesss partners.
 We learn about other countries and their cultures.
 We can read texts in a foreign language. We are happy when we read texts in a foreign
language, understand songs and watch films without subtitles.
 You can get a better / well-paid job if you speak a foreign language. That´s no problem
working abroad if you speak a foreign language fluently.

TASK 3 Simulation / Roleplay

Your friend has a lot of difficulties when speaking English. He/she is not confident enough.
What advice would you give him/her to overcome his/her communication barriers?
The best thing would be......
You certainly/definitely should......
Firstly,/Secondly,/Thirdly, you should try to......

 Don´t give up. Cheer up (Nevzdávaj sa. Hlavu hore).

 If you can´t find the words, use simple words and try to express the meaning.
 If you can´t find the right words, say it without words: use hands, arms, legs, gestures, facial
expressions. Use mime and gestures. Your body language can help you.
 Be inventive - take risk creating new words.
 Try out words - sometimes we share common words and we do not know it. Try saying the
word slowly or with a different pronunciation.
Draw it - for example, if you really cannot explain 'milk', draw a cow, the udders (vemeno)
and the milk. Pictures speak louder than words.
 Don´t worry about your accent or pronunciation.
 Don´t translate everything in your head.
 If you don´t understand, ask.
 Take extra classes at a language school.
 Listen to English songs, watch films in English, read books in English.
 Repeat the words after native speakers.
 Chat with somebody on the Internet, go to an Enlish-speaking country.

Friend: Oh, Mary, I have a terrible problem. I´ve been studying English for about 10 years, and when
I have to speak, I can´t say a word. I understand a lot, I can write an essay, I´m good at grammar,
I even know a lot of words. The worst thing is when I have to speak to a native speaker. There is an
English teacher at our school (he´s from London), but I´m so afraid to speak in front of him. I think he
might laugh at my English accent.
You: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Friend: What should I do to improve my English?
You: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Friend: Thanks. You´ve helped me a lot. I´ll try it.

Friend: Oh, Mary, I have a terrible problem. I´ve been studying English for about 10 years, and when
I have to speak, I can´t say a word. I understand a lot, I can write an essay, I´m good at grammar,
I even know a lot of words. The worst thing is when I have to speak to a native speaker. There is an
English teacher at our school (he´s from London),but I´m so afraid to speak in front of him. I think he
might laugh at my English accent.
You: Don´t give up! Cheer up! I think you should use simple words and try to express the meaning.
If you can´t find the right word, say it without words. I mean use your hands, arms, legs, gestures,
facial expressions. Your body language can help you. Or you can draw a picture. Sometimes you
might create a new word or use a Slovak word (we have some common words). And don´t worry
about your accent or pronunciation.
Friend: What should I do to improve my English?
You: If I were you , I would take extra classes at our school. You should listen to English songs,
watch films in English and repeat the words after native speakers. You may chat with somebody on
the internet or go to an English-speaking country.
Friend: Thanks. You´ve helped me a lot. I´ll try it.