Unit 1: Communication Skills – Class 10 Employability Skills Notes

Unit 1: Communication Skills

Topics Covered

Session	Topic
Session 1	Methods of Communication
Session 2	Verbal Communication
Session 3	Non-verbal Communication
Session 4	Communication Cycle and Feedback
Session 5	Barriers to Effective Communication
Session 6	Writing Skills – Parts of Speech
Session 7	Writing Skills – Sentences

What is Communication?

Communication is derived from the Latin word commūnicāre, which means “to share”.

Communication is one of the most important life skills. It enables us to interact effectively with people, customers, colleagues and other stakeholders in personal and professional environments.

Session 1: Methods of Communication

Communication is a process consisting of three major activities: Transmitting, Listening and Feedback.

Activity	Meaning
Transmitting	The sender sends or communicates the message.
Listening	The receiver listens to and understands the message.
Feedback	The receiver conveys their understanding or response to the sender.

The Communication Cycle

Element	Meaning
Sender	The person who begins the communication.
Message	The information that the sender wants to convey.
Channel	The means through which the message is sent, such as speaking or writing.
Receiver	The person to whom the message is sent.
Feedback	The acknowledgement and response provided by the receiver.

Common Methods of Communication

Method	Use / Advantage
Face-to-face informal communication	Allows quick and clear understanding and also includes body language.
E-mail	Flexible, convenient and economical for reaching people in different locations.
Notices/Posters	Useful for communicating the same message to a large group.
Business Meetings	Used to address groups regarding organisational decisions.
Social Networks	Useful for communicating information to a large audience.
Phone Calls	Useful when immediate verbal communication is required.
Newsletters and Blogs	Useful for sharing information with a wider audience.

Choosing the Right Communication Method

The choice of communication method depends on several factors:

• Target audience
• Cost
• Type of information
• Urgency

Session 2: Verbal Communication

Verbal communication involves the use of sounds, words, language and speech. It is one of the most common ways to express emotions and build rapport.

Types of Verbal Communication

Type	Meaning	Example
Interpersonal	Communication between two people.	Manager talking to an employee; two friends talking.
Written	Communication through written words.	Letters, reports, SMS and social media posts.
Small Group	Communication involving more than two people.	Board meeting or team meeting.
Public	One individual addressing a large gathering.	Election campaign or public speech.

Tips for Improving Verbal Communication

1. Think Before You Speak: Note down the main points and decide the most effective way to explain them.
2. Be Concise and Clear: Speak clearly at a moderate speed and avoid unnecessary repetition.
3. Be Confident: Maintain eye contact, stand straight and maintain a friendly attitude.

Session 3: Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is the exchange of information without using words. It includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact and tone of voice.

The 93% Rule

Component	Percentage
Body movement / Face	55%
Voice tone / Pauses	38%
Actual Words	7%

Types of Non-verbal Communication

Type	Meaning / Effective Use
Facial Expressions	Show emotions such as happiness, sadness or anger. Expressions should match the words being spoken.
Posture	Standing straight can show confidence, while a slumped posture may indicate weakness.
Gestures	Movements such as raising a hand or nodding. Keep hands open and avoid pointing fingers.
Touch	A firm handshake can display confidence.
Space	The physical distance maintained between people depending on their relationship and intimacy.
Eye Contact	Looking directly at the speaker indicates attention.
Paralanguage	Includes tone, speed and volume of voice.

Paralanguage

Paralanguage refers to the non-verbal aspects of spoken communication, particularly the tone, speed and volume of the voice.

Voice Feature	Possible Meaning
Fast speaking	May show excitement.
Slow speaking	May indicate seriousness.
Change in tone	Can communicate different emotions or attitudes.

Visual Communication

Visual communication involves exchanging messages mainly through images or pictures.

It is effective because visual signs can communicate information universally without requiring knowledge of a particular language.

Example	Purpose
Danger Warning Sign	Warns people about danger.
No Parking Sign	Indicates that parking is not permitted.
Biohazard Sign	Indicates the presence of biological hazards.

Session 4: Communication Cycle and Feedback

Feedback is the final component of the communication cycle. It occurs when the receiver responds to the sender.

Importance of Feedback

• Validates listening.
• Motivates the recipient.
• Boosts learning.
• Improves performance.

Types of Feedback

Type	Meaning	Example
Positive	Appreciates or acknowledges good performance.	“I noticed you finished the work perfectly.”
Negative	Points out an area that needs improvement.	“You take really long to reply to e-mails.”
No Feedback	Absence of a response can itself communicate a message.	It may indicate disagreement.

Characteristics of Good Feedback

Characteristic	Meaning
Specific	Should include clear examples.
Timely	Should be provided promptly.
Polite	Should be communicated respectfully.
Supportive	Should help the receiver improve.

Session 5: Barriers to Effective Communication

A barrier is an obstacle that prevents a message from being understood correctly.

The 7 Cs of Effective Communication

No.	7 Cs	Meaning
1	Clear	The message should be easy to understand.
2	Concise	The message should be brief and to the point.
3	Concrete	The message should be specific and definite.
4	Correct	The information should be accurate.
5	Coherent	The ideas should be logically connected.
6	Complete	The message should contain all necessary information.
7	Courteous	The message should be respectful and polite.

Common Barriers to Communication

Barrier	Meaning / Example
Physical	Environmental conditions such as noise or distance.
Linguistic	Use of slang, jargon or different languages.
Interpersonal	Stage fear or lack of willingness to communicate.
Organisational	Strict hierarchical rules or superior-subordinate relationships.
Cultural	Misunderstanding customs or making stereotypical assumptions.

How to Overcome Communication Barriers

• Use simple and understandable language.
• Use visuals wherever appropriate.
• Use translators when language differences create difficulty.
• Respect the opinions of others.
• Avoid assumptions based on culture.

Session 6: Writing Skills – Parts of Speech

Writing is a verbal communication method that uses sentences to express complete thoughts.

Capitalisation – TINS Rule

Letter	Rule	Example
T	Titles before names should be capitalised.	Dr. Malik
I	The word “I” is always capitalised.	I am ready.
N	Names of people, places, days and months are capitalised.	Suresh, London, June
S	The first letter of every sentence is capitalised.	This is my school.

Basic Parts of Speech

Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Noun	Naming words for people, places, things or ideas.	school, student, Jaipur
Pronoun	Words used in place of nouns.	He, She, They
Adjective	Words that describe nouns or pronouns.	Large, Red
Verb	Words that show an action or state.	Run, Eat, Sit
Adverb	Words that add meaning to verbs, often answering “How?”.	Quickly

Supporting Parts of Speech

Part	Examples
Articles	a, an, the
Conjunctions	and, but, because
Prepositions	on, over, in
Interjections	Wow!, Help!

Session 7: Writing Skills – Sentences

A sentence typically contains a Subject, a Verb and an Object.

Component	Meaning
Subject	The performer or doer of the action.
Verb	The action or state.
Object	The receiver of the action.

Types of Objects

Type	Meaning	Example
Direct Object	The person or thing directly acted upon by the verb.	She bought a bicycle.
Indirect Object	Answers “to whom?” or “for whom?”.	She bought a bicycle for her son.

Active and Passive Voice

Voice	Meaning	Example
Active Voice	The subject performs the action.	Ali changed the flat tire.
Passive Voice	The subject receives the action.	The flat tire was changed by Ali.

Types of Sentences According to Purpose

Type	Purpose	Ending	Example
Declarative	States a fact or statement.	Full stop (.)	She is a good student.
Interrogative	Asks a question.	Question mark (?)	Where do you live?
Exclamatory	Expresses strong emotion.	Exclamation mark (!)	What a beautiful day!
Imperative	Shows a command or request.	Full stop or exclamation mark	Please open the door.

Paragraph

A paragraph is a group of sentences that share a common idea or theme.