Employability Skills II: Verbal, non-verbal and visual communication

Hello students, welcome to Kwickprep. Your friend says she is fine, but her face looks sad. Which message do you believe? Today we will learn the three methods of communication: verbal, non-verbal and visual. We will also see the advantages and limits of each one.

Communication means sharing ideas, facts or feelings so that another person understands them. Verbal communication uses words, either spoken or written. Non-verbal communication uses the body, the face and the tone of voice, without words. Visual communication uses pictures, signs, charts and colours. In real life, we usually use all three together.

Let us start with verbal communication. Oral communication means communication with spoken words. It can be face to face, like a teacher in class or a job interview. It can happen over a device, like a phone call or a video call. Voice notes, speeches and railway station announcements are also oral communication.

The second type of verbal communication is written communication. Here the words are written on paper or on a screen. Letters, school notices, emails and reports are written communication. Text messages and chat messages are also written. Its big strength is that a written message can be read again and kept as a record.

Let us compare oral and written communication. Oral communication is fast, while writing takes more time. In oral talk you get feedback at once, but a written reply may come later. Spoken words usually leave no record, while written words stay. So we talk for quick discussions, and we write for rules, orders and proof.

Here are five tips for good verbal communication. Speak clearly and not too fast. Use simple words that your listener already knows. Be polite, and use words like please, thank you and sorry. Keep your message short and to the point. Finally, check that the listener has understood, for example by asking, is that clear?

Now, non-verbal communication. It means sending a message without using words. It often shows our real feelings, even when we do not want it to. It can support our words, like a smile while saying welcome. It can also contradict our words, like the friend who says she is fine with a sad face. When words and body language do not match, people usually believe the body language.

Let us look at the main types of non-verbal signs. Facial expressions show our mood, like a smile or a frown. Gestures are movements of the hands, like a thumbs up or a wave. Posture is how we sit or stand, and a straight back shows confidence. Eye contact means looking at the person, and it shows honesty and interest. Touch and personal space matter too, like a firm handshake and standing at a polite distance.

One more non-verbal type is paralanguage. It means how we say words, not the words themselves. Tone shows feeling, like friendly, angry or bored. Pitch is how high or low the voice sounds. Volume is how loud or soft we speak. Speed and pauses also matter. The same words, well done, can sound like praise or like a taunt, depending on the tone.

Non-verbal signs need care. A gesture can mean different things in different regions and countries, so avoid gestures you are not sure about. Keep an open posture, because crossed arms can look rude or defensive. Keep a pleasant face and a calm voice. In an interview, sit straight, look at the panel and do not fidget with your pen or phone.

The third method is visual communication. It means sharing a message through images that people can see. Signs and symbols are visual, like a red traffic signal that means stop. Charts and graphs show numbers clearly, like a bar graph of class marks. Maps, posters, app icons, photos and videos are also visual communication.

Visual communication has clear advantages and some limits. Pictures are quick to understand, but a symbol can be misread by someone who has not seen it before. Signs work even across languages, but they must be designed well. Images are easy to remember, but they cannot carry every fine detail. So we often add a few words to a picture.

Pause and predict the method for each situation. An emergency exit sign with a running person is visual communication. Nodding your head in class to say yes is non-verbal communication. A leave application to your principal is verbal, written communication. A pie chart of monthly family expenses is visual communication. Did you get all four right?

The best communicators use all three methods together. A teacher explains a topic in words, which is verbal. She smiles and points at the board, which is non-verbal. She draws a diagram, which is visual. When all three agree, the message is clearest and easiest to remember.

Let us revise what we learned today. Verbal communication uses spoken or written words. Non-verbal communication uses the face, gestures, posture, eye contact and tone. Visual communication uses signs, charts, maps and pictures. Your words and body language must match, or people will trust the body language. Use all three together, and your message will be clear.