Communication Skills Pre-Assessment

What are three benefits to improving communication skills?

• Helps us connect to others, allows us to share our voice, allows us to understand social cues, helps us get what we need

• Allows us to fly, lets us read minds, makes us invisible

• Helps us sleep more, eat better, and run faster

Give an example of body language and what it tells us.

• Smiling always means you are sad.

• Tapping your foot might mean you’re waiting.

• Looking away means you are paying close attention.

What does it mean to use self-control when we speak?

• To say whatever comes to your mind without thinking.

• To speak louder so everyone can hear you.

• To stop and think about what is in your mind before it comes out of your mouth.

What is an assertive communication style?

• Speaking openly and clearly with others.

• Speaking aggressively and not considering others' feelings.

• Letting others always decide for you.

Give three ways to show you are actively listening.

• Interrupting frequently, looking away, changing the subject

• Ignoring the speaker, checking your phone, daydreaming

• Staying focused, asking questions, nodding and using body language

What is small talk?

• Short and brief conversation with others

• A formal business meeting

• A written essay

Give an example of how you might start a conversation.

• “I don’t want to talk to you.”

• “Hey, how did your game go?” “What’s going on?” “How are you doing?”

• “I forgot your name.”

How can you show interest in others in a conversation?

• Talk only about yourself and your experiences

• Ask them follow-up questions, smile, nod, reflect emotions, stay on that topic

• Look away and avoid eye contact

How can we learn new ideas in a conversation?

• Different people have different ideas and perspectives so we can learn from them

• By ignoring what others say

• By repeating our own ideas

Give 3 examples of cell phone manners.

• Always use your phone at the dinner table, speak loudly in public, ignore people around you

• Being mindful of what you text, don’t take photos without permission, avoiding over-texting, putting phone away sometimes

• Text while driving, record conversations without telling, interrupt others to answer your phone