Part of Lesson Plan: Communication: Listening in the Workplace

Activity Overview / Details

Tell the students that today's class will discuss the role of the listener in the communication process and that they will learn behaviors of a good listener.

Review the three forms of communication with the students by using handout 1 (this may be placed  on the projector or make copies for students)

• When you speak, you communicate in three different ways; verbally, vocally and nonverbally.
• Verbal communication is what you say;  the words you use
• Vocal communication is the sound of your voice;  its  tone, volume, pitch and rate of speech (ask students to demonstrate these sounds)
• Nonverbal communication includes your facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and body posture

Although all three forms of communication are important,  over half of what you communicate is expressed through nonverbal behaviors.   

It is also important for students for students to understand that nonverbal communcation may vary from one culture to another, for example eye contact is critical in western culture, buy may be viewed as disrespectful in other cultures.

Place handout #2 on the projector, or you may choose to make copies for students.  Review all behaviors with students, checking for understanding after each one.