COMMUNICATION TYPES AND MODES

MEANING OF COMMUNCATION

Communication can best be summarized as the transmission of a message from a sender to a receiver in an understandable manner. The importance of effective communication is immeasurable in the world of business and in personal life. From a business perspective, effective communication is an absolute must, because it commonly accounts for the difference between success and failure or profit and loss. It has become clear that effective business communication is critical to the successful operation of modern enterprise. Every business person needs to understand the fundamentals of effective communication.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

When communication occurs, it typically happens in one of three ways: verbal, nonverbal and visual. People very often take communication for granted. Communicators constantly exchange information, meaning people always seem to be either receiving or giving information. Understanding the different methods of exchanging information is important especially in business and professional settings. Many adults have chosen to go back to school and pursue a communication degree online to ensure they have strong communication skills for a competitive job market.

1. VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Verbal communication seems like the most obvious of the different types of communication. It utilizes the spoken word, either face-to-face or remotely. Verbal communication is essential to most interactions, but there are other nonverbal cues that help provide additional context to the words themselves. Pairing nonverbal communication with the spoken word provides a more nuanced message.

2. NONVERBAL CUES SPEAK VOLUMES

Nonverbal communication provides some insight into a speaker’s word choice. Sarcasm, complacency, deception or genuineness occur within nonverbal communication. These things are often communicated through facial expressions, hand gestures, posture and even appearance, all of which can convey something about the speaker. For instance, a disheveled speaker with wrinkled clothes and poor posture would communicate a lack of confidence or expertise. A speaker with a nice suit, who stood up straight and spoke clearly, may appear more serious or knowledgeable.

3. VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Visual types of communication include signs, maps or drawings as well as color or graphic design. These typically reinforce verbal communication, and they help to make a point. Visual aids can help a speaker remember important topics, give the audience something to look at, and generally help convey the message being presented.

MODES OF COMMUNICATION

Modes of Communication Learning a language involves communicating via reading, writing, listening and speaking. The modes of communication explain how the individual skills are used. Each mode is described briefly below.

INTERPERSONAL (SPEAKING READING)

Students use the interpersonal mode of communication when speaking to others. Information is exchanged; facial expressions and gestures are natural and important. Interpersonal communication is spontaneous and unrehearsed, and partner selection is random. This is the mode that measures how well students speak the language and is the mode that prepares them to interact with native speakers in natural ways.

INTERPRETIVE (READING OR LISTENING)

The interpretive mode refers to the ability to understand the target language in both written and spoken form. Students may not understand every word, but are expected to understand main ideas and key words. This is one-way communication, so students must be able to understand the spoken or written text on their own. Students will use English to demonstrate what they understand.

PRESENTATIONAL (WRITING OR SPEAKING)

The presentational mode allows students to plan and rehearse what they will write or say. In writing, students have time to draft and revise before producing a final product. In speaking, students may be able to rehearse and/or to record multiple times until they are satisfied with the final product. Students create presentations that will be shared with the class and beyond, when possible