Top 3 Communication Strategies

Use these strategies in your own native language, and abuse or exagerate them when you are communicating in English.

The idea with these strategies is that they give you a simple structure to follow for good, clear communication. The result is more sharing of ideas, more enjoyable conversations and ultimately, more FLUENCY.

1. LISTEN

Listening is not a passive activity. In fact, the term “Active Listening” is the form of listening I´m talking about.

When I really listen to people, I exclaim, “really!” or “Wow!” or just a “hmmmm”.

And sometimes I rephrase what they are saying in a natural way, such as, “So you´re saying…” or “To sum up your last ideas, you think…”

2. ASK QUESTIONS

The next stage in effective communication is asking questions.

What are you questions? Make a list of questions you could ask in almost any conversation: …

Take a look at Scott’s list if you would like: click here

Make your own list. Be ready to ask questions.

3. SHAPE YOUR IDEAS

Expressing ideas is an art.

• Think of your idea as a painting: Where are the “hot spots” – the bright colors – and where are the dark shades?
  
• Is there one main object in the painting or are there many? Let me suggest between 1 and 3, especially in a foreign language.
• What´s the texture of the painting? What´s the feeling? Is it funny, serious, informative..? What feeling do you want to communicate?
• Keep it simple. Paint like a child. Enjoy simplicity!

These are ‘la creme de la creme’ of communication strategies for me. But let me ask you this: Do they work for you?

Feel free to comment and add to any of these ideas on this blog, or send me an email at:

info@barcelona-ingles.com