Online Class: Effective Communication Skills

From daily interactions with strangers on the street to the way you present yourself in the board room, the way you communicate is a reflection of who you are and the way you establish relationships with those around you.
Self-Paced, Online Class
Virginia Beach Public Library
 
  • 12
    Lessons
  • 14
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 6,351
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 7
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.7
    CEUs
  •  
    Video Audit
    Available
 
 
 

Course Description

Mastering the Art of Communication: A Pathway to Personal and Professional Efficacy

In every corner of human interaction, communication holds the reins. The casual banter with a café barista, the engaging pitch in a conference room, or the heartfelt conversation with a loved one - each of these encounters underscore the pivotal role of communication. It not only mirrors your personality but also carves the depth and quality of relationships you build with the world around you.

In an age of globalization and digital connectivity, communication has expanded beyond the simple exchange of words. While verbal interactions remain integral, non-verbal cues, written correspondences, and technology-mediated communication hold equal gravitas. Despite this vastness, certain foundational principles of effective communication remain universal. A mastery of these, combined with skills like conflict resolution and negotiation, paves the way for enriched personal and professional connections.

For professionals navigating the corporate world, individuals yearning to enhance personal bonds, or anyone striving for clarity and confidence in their interactions, mastering communication is the key. It's the bridge that not only prevents misunderstandings but also propels you towards unparalleled success.

Course Outline:

  • Lesson 1: Recognizing and Understanding Communication Styles

    • Explore the diverse styles of communication and introspect to identify your own. Recognize the strengths and limitations of each style and how to adapt for effective interactions.

  • Lesson 2: Verbal Communication

    • Dive into the nuances of spoken words. Learn the power of tone, pitch, and clarity, and how they can influence perceptions and outcomes.

  • Lesson 3: Nonverbal Communication

    • Decode the silent language of body posture, facial expressions, and gestures. Understand their profound impact on complementing or contradicting verbal cues.

  • Lesson 4: Communicating in Writing

    • Harness the potency of the written word, from crafting compelling emails to persuasive proposals. Explore the role of clarity, coherence, and conciseness in written communication.

  • Lesson 5: Cultivating Conversational Skills

    • Strengthen your conversational prowess. Learn to initiate, sustain, and conclude interactions in a manner that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

  • Lesson 6: Group Communication

    • Navigate the dynamics of group interactions, from small team meetings to large panel discussions. Understand group roles, consensus building, and effective facilitation techniques.

  • Lesson 7: Communications Technology

    • Delve into the digital realm of communication. From video conferencing tools to social media platforms, explore how technology has transformed the way we connect.

  • Lesson 8: Barriers to Communication

    • Identify obstacles that impede effective communication, such as biases, distractions, or environmental factors. Learn strategies to overcome these barriers for fluid conversations.

  • Lesson 9: Cultural Aspects of Communication

    • Appreciate the rich tapestry of cultural nuances and etiquettes. Discover how cultural sensitivity can enhance cross-cultural interactions and foster inclusivity.

  • Lesson 10: Disagreements and Conflicts

    • Equip yourself with tools to navigate disagreements. Understand the roots of conflicts and strategies to address and resolve them constructively.

  • Lesson 11: Negotiation

    • Unravel the art of negotiation. Learn techniques to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes without compromising on core values or objectives.

  • Lesson 12: Constructive Criticism

    • Embrace feedback as a growth tool. Discover how to give and receive criticism in a manner that fosters improvement and maintains dignity.

This transformative course promises not just a theoretical understanding but a practical toolkit to elevate your communication acumen. By the end, you'll be equipped to articulate with clarity, empathize genuinely, and interact confidently in diverse settings. Join us in this enlightening journey to become an adept communicator.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:
Areas of Study
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.3 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(5,247 votes)

  • Lesson 1: Recognizing and Understanding Communication Styles

    This lesson will help recognize four of the major communication styles. Each style serves a different purpose, and you will be able to identify those and understand which is the most effective.

  • Lesson 2: Verbal Communication

    When people think of communication, they often default to verbal exchanges—the words we speak, the sentences we craft. However, verbal communication is far more complex than it appears.

  • Lesson 3: Nonverbal Communication

    This lesson will help you learn to use nonverbal cues to better understand others. Likewise, you can hone these skills to be sure you are effectively communicating your ideas.

  • Lesson 4: Communicating in Writing

    Written communication is a crucial aspect of human interaction, just as diverse and complex as verbal and nonverbal communication. It transcends spoken words, offering the ability to document, record, and share ideas across time and space.

  • Lesson 5: Cultivating Conversational Skills

    This lesson teaches the most important skills required to use conversation as an effective form of communication. Mastering conversational skills makes you more interesting, and more likely to truly experience two-sided communication.

  • Lesson 6: Group Communication

    Whether it’s working with a small team or presenting to a larger audience, group communication introduces new dynamics such as collaboration, conflict resolution, and decision-making processes. Understanding how groups operate and how to navigate these dynamics is crucial to fostering clear, productive communication.

  • Lesson 7: Communications Technology

    In this lesson, you will learn more about the technology currently available to make communication faster and easier. You will also learn what kinds of repercussions this access to instant communication has on business and personal relationships.

  • Lesson 8: Barriers to Communication

    The goal of this lesson is to learn to recognize where there might be breakdowns in communication. By knowing what problems you are facing, you are more prepared to avoid them altogether.

  • Lesson 9: Cultural Aspects of Communication

    In this lesson, you will learn about the field of cross-cultural communication. You will discover what types of barriers to expect, and what you can do to overcome them.

  • Lesson 10: Disagreements and Conflicts

    In this lesson, you will learn how to handle disagreements before and after they occur.

  • Lesson 11: Negotiation

    In this lesson, you will learn the basics of negotiation. It will also pull together some of the skills you have learned throughout this course and show you how to utilize them to reach a specific goal.

  • Lesson 12: Constructive Criticism

    In this lesson, you will learn how to offer and receive constructive criticism. You will also learn the dynamics of the critical relationship.
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Recognize and describe various communication styles.
  • Define verbal communication.
  • Define nonverbal communication.
  • Demonstrate proper techniques when communicating in writing.
  • Demonstrate techniques for improving conversational skills.
  • Demonstrate techniques for improving group communication.
  • Describe techniques for improving communications with technology.
  • Define barriers to communication.
  • Compare and contrast cultural aspects of communication.
  • Describe communication strategies to resolve disagreements and conflicts.
  • Describe negotiation strategies.
  • Describe how to receive and deliver constructive criticism.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Effective Communication Skills
Course Number: 7550121
Lessons Rating: 4.3 / 5 Stars (5,247 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Accessible from any state in the U.S., this course covers key areas such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also offered in English-speaking nations like Australia, Canada, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: December 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.7 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus

Student Testimonials

  • "It was very informative. I learned what type of communicator I was. This will help me improve my communication with the employees here at work. This was a great resource for my self improvement." -- Marlene W.
  • "I really enjoyed this class and liked how it intertwined with both personal and career environments. I practice every chance I get. Thank you!" -- Jennifer J.
  • "I enjoyed this course and have taken away some very good comments and suggestions to help me in my work." -- Pam C.
  • "Thank you for this course! It was fun and helpful. I really enjoyed this. This was very enlightening. Thank you for your help. I will be doing more." -- Dennis C.
  • "The course has helped me in the area of conflict resolution and made me reflect in my communication with others. The course instructor was very supportive and available ." -- Clodagh B.
  • "I felt this class was a great learning tool for using effective communication as a key in your personal and professional relationships. It is the process of sharing information, thoughts and feelings between people through speaking, writing or body language. You were able to see how the transmittal of your content is important in the way it is received and understood during your interactions in your personal and professional life." -- Vicki C.
  • "Everything was beautiful!" -- Lakiahia C.

Related Courses