Good communication is not simply about talking. It is a two-way process in which people share ideas and feelings, listen to one another and respond. The way we communicate can strengthen a relationship, but it can also create distance when people feel that they are not being heard.
Some messages are communicated without words at all. Our body language can show whether we feel relaxed, nervous, interested or uncomfortable. A facial expression, the way we sit or even whether we look at the other person can affect how a message is understood. This is one reason why face-to-face conversations can sometimes make communication easier: people can hear the words and see the other person’s reactions at the same time.
Being able to express your feelings is another important part of healthy communication. This does not mean saying everything immediately or without thinking. Sometimes people need time before they are ready to speak up. When they do, it helps if the other person is prepared to take someone seriously rather than laugh at their concerns or ignore someone who is trying to explain how they feel.
Good communication also depends on honesty and respect. To be honest with someone means sharing the truth, even when the conversation may be uncomfortable. At the same time, being honest does not mean being rude. People can disagree and still respect someone’s opinion. If there is a misunderstanding, it is important to make yourself clear and listen carefully to the other person’s explanation.
Communication can also affect how confident and supported people feel. A few positive words can encourage someone who is worried about an exam, a competition or an important decision. We can support someone by listening, offering help or simply showing that they are not alone. We can also appreciate someone by recognising their effort and the positive things they bring to our lives.
However, communication can also be used in less positive ways. People sometimes try to put pressure on someone to make a particular choice. They may also try to convince someone even when that person is unsure or uncomfortable. In other situations, it may be necessary to warn someone about a possible problem or danger. The difference often depends on the intention behind the message and whether the other person’s freedom to decide is respected.
Finally, every message can produce a reaction. A person may agree, disagree, feel encouraged, become upset or decide to ask more questions. Successful communication therefore involves more than choosing the right words. It also means noticing how other people respond and being willing to adjust the conversation when necessary.
Some messages are communicated without words at all. Our body language can show whether we feel relaxed, nervous, interested or uncomfortable. A facial expression, the way we sit or even whether we look at the other person can affect how a message is understood. This is one reason why face-to-face conversations can sometimes make communication easier: people can hear the words and see the other person’s reactions at the same time.
Being able to express your feelings is another important part of healthy communication. This does not mean saying everything immediately or without thinking. Sometimes people need time before they are ready to speak up. When they do, it helps if the other person is prepared to take someone seriously rather than laugh at their concerns or ignore someone who is trying to explain how they feel.
Good communication also depends on honesty and respect. To be honest with someone means sharing the truth, even when the conversation may be uncomfortable. At the same time, being honest does not mean being rude. People can disagree and still respect someone’s opinion. If there is a misunderstanding, it is important to make yourself clear and listen carefully to the other person’s explanation.
Communication can also affect how confident and supported people feel. A few positive words can encourage someone who is worried about an exam, a competition or an important decision. We can support someone by listening, offering help or simply showing that they are not alone. We can also appreciate someone by recognising their effort and the positive things they bring to our lives.
However, communication can also be used in less positive ways. People sometimes try to put pressure on someone to make a particular choice. They may also try to convince someone even when that person is unsure or uncomfortable. In other situations, it may be necessary to warn someone about a possible problem or danger. The difference often depends on the intention behind the message and whether the other person’s freedom to decide is respected.
Finally, every message can produce a reaction. A person may agree, disagree, feel encouraged, become upset or decide to ask more questions. Successful communication therefore involves more than choosing the right words. It also means noticing how other people respond and being willing to adjust the conversation when necessary.
Learn: in this unit, you will explore how people communicate ideas and feelings, respond to others, offer support and influence the way relationships develop.
Basic Terms
body language — [ˈbɒd.i ˌlæŋ.ɡwɪdʒ] — the way people communicate their feelings or thoughts through the position and movement of their body rather than through words; ķermeņa valoda
communication — [kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the process of sharing information, ideas or feelings with other people; saziņa, komunikācija
expression — [ɪkˈspreʃ.ən] — something that a person says, writes or does to show their feelings, opinions or ideas; izpausme, jūtu vai domu paušana
face-to-face — [ˌfeɪs tə ˈfeɪs] — involving people who are together in the same place and communicating directly with each other; klātienes, "aci pret aci"
two-way — [ˌtuː ˈweɪ] — involving communication in which both people or groups take part and respond to each other; divvirzienu, abpusējs
reaction — [riˈæk.ʃən] — what someone does, says or thinks as a result of something that has happened or been said; reakcija
communication — [kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the process of sharing information, ideas or feelings with other people; saziņa, komunikācija
expression — [ɪkˈspreʃ.ən] — something that a person says, writes or does to show their feelings, opinions or ideas; izpausme, jūtu vai domu paušana
face-to-face — [ˌfeɪs tə ˈfeɪs] — involving people who are together in the same place and communicating directly with each other; klātienes, "aci pret aci"
two-way — [ˌtuː ˈweɪ] — involving communication in which both people or groups take part and respond to each other; divvirzienu, abpusējs
reaction — [riˈæk.ʃən] — what someone does, says or thinks as a result of something that has happened or been said; reakcija
Phrases
encourage someone — [ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to give someone support, confidence or hope so that they feel able to do something; iedrošināt kādu
be honest with someone — [bi ˈɒn.ɪst wɪð ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to tell someone the truth and speak openly about what you think or feel; būt godīgam un atklātam pret kādu
respect someone’s opinion — [rɪˌspekt ˌsʌm.wʌnz əˈpɪn.jən] — to accept that another person’s opinion is important even when you do not agree with it; cienīt kāda viedokli
put pressure on someone — [ˌpʊt ˈpreʃ.ər ɒn ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to try strongly to persuade someone to do something, especially when they may not want to do it; izdarīt spiedienu uz kādu
ignore someone — [ɪɡˈnɔː ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to deliberately pay no attention to someone or what they are saying; ignorēt kādu, apzināti nepievērst kādam uzmanību
support someone — [səˈpɔːt ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to help or encourage someone, especially when they are having difficulties; atbalstīt kādu
warn someone — [ˈwɔːn ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to tell someone about a possible problem or danger so that they can avoid it; brīdināt kādu
speak up — [ˌspiːk ˈʌp] — to say clearly what you think or feel, especially when it may be difficult to do so; atklāti izteikties, paust savu viedokli
take someone seriously — [ˌteɪk ˌsʌm.wʌn ˈsɪə.ri.əs.li] — to believe that someone’s ideas, feelings or concerns are important and deserve attention; uztvert kādu un viņa teikto nopietni
make yourself clear — [ˌmeɪk jɔːˌself ˈklɪə] — to explain what you mean in a way that other people can understand; izteikties skaidri, paskaidrot savu domu
appreciate someone — [əˈpriː.ʃi.eɪt ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to recognise someone’s good qualities or value what they do for you; novērtēt kādu
convince someone — [kənˈvɪns ˌsʌm.wʌn] — to make someone believe that something is true or that an idea is right; pārliecināt kādu
Practice: communication is not always about the exact words people use. Read each quotation carefully and think about the deeper idea behind it. Make an inference about what the speaker means, support your interpretation with evidence from the quotation, and use the target vocabulary to explain your ideas clearly.
Quote 1
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” (Stephen R. Covey, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People")
Question: What criticism of everyday communication is Covey making? What can you infer about what people need to do for communication to become truly two-way?
Model response:
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” (Stephen R. Covey, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People")
Question: What criticism of everyday communication is Covey making? What can you infer about what people need to do for communication to become truly two-way?
Model response:
"Covey suggests that people often appear to be listening while they are actually thinking about their own reaction or preparing what they want to say next. This means that the conversation may not be truly two-way, even if both people are speaking.
We can infer that successful communication requires more than waiting for our turn to talk. People need to take each other seriously and try to understand the other person’s ideas before responding. They do not have to agree, but they should respect each other’s opinion. If someone regularly feels that their ideas are being ignored, they may eventually stop sharing them. The quotation therefore suggests that listening is an active part of communication, not simply being silent while another person speaks."
Quote 2
“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” (Brené Brown, "Dare to Lead")
Question: What can you infer about Brown’s view of honesty in communication? Why might avoiding a difficult message sometimes be less kind than saying it clearly?
Model response:
“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” (Brené Brown, "Dare to Lead")
Question: What can you infer about Brown’s view of honesty in communication? Why might avoiding a difficult message sometimes be less kind than saying it clearly?
Model response:
"Brown suggests that good communication sometimes requires us to say things clearly even when the conversation is uncomfortable. People may avoid being direct because they are worried about the other person’s reaction, but unclear messages can create confusion or false expectations.
We can infer that to be honest with someone does not mean speaking without care. It means trying to make yourself clear while still showing respect. If we take someone seriously, we should trust them to deal with honest information rather than hide it from them. We can also respect someone’s opinion even when we need to say something they may not want to hear. The quotation therefore suggests that clarity and kindness can work together rather than being opposites."
We can infer that to be honest with someone does not mean speaking without care. It means trying to make yourself clear while still showing respect. If we take someone seriously, we should trust them to deal with honest information rather than hide it from them. We can also respect someone’s opinion even when we need to say something they may not want to hear. The quotation therefore suggests that clarity and kindness can work together rather than being opposites."
Quote 3
“We realise the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” (Malala Yousafzai, "I Am Malala")
Question: What can you infer about what Malala means by having a “voice”? Why might people understand its value more clearly when they are prevented from using it?
Model response:
“We realise the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” (Malala Yousafzai, "I Am Malala")
Question: What can you infer about what Malala means by having a “voice”? Why might people understand its value more clearly when they are prevented from using it?
Model response:
"Malala is not referring only to the physical ability to speak. Her “voice” represents the freedom to speak up, express ideas and take part in communication about issues that matter. We can infer that people may not always recognise how important this freedom is until others try to stop them from expressing themselves.
The quotation also suggests that being heard is as important as being able to speak. If people regularly ignore someone or refuse to take them seriously, that person may feel that their voice has little value. By contrast, when we support and encourage people to express their views, we show that their ideas deserve attention. Malala’s words therefore suggest that having a voice involves both the freedom to speak and the opportunity to be heard."