What kinds of things come to mind when you think of communication? Talking with friends? Giving a speech? Attending a meeting at work? The news media? Our little image at the top of the page shows one form of communicating, but it may be rather one sided! So how can we identify when real communication takes place?
Some folks claim certain foods
talk to them, calling out their names from the kitchen ...
Others are sure that their pets communicate with them. 
Still others aren't sure any real communication takes place even when everyone is talking (like in some meetings!)
Webster defines communication as "a process by which information is exchanged
between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.
"
We probably think of communication as a give and take experience between at least two people. And we'd probably all agree that effective communication means that people send and receive messages that are well understood, and responded to, by the other parties.
However, chances are we have all
experienced times where we felt like we were talking but noone really heard
what we were saying. Or times
when what we said, or what someone heard was not what we meant. If emotions
became involved, before you knew it, all kinds of words were being exchanged
but again, no real communication.
Here's another example of the struggles we sometimes face when trying to communicate effectively - if you have been a newcomer in another
cultural setting or tried to learn and speak another language, there may have
been times you thought you were communicating, but the response you received
from the other person indicated that you really didn't send the message you
intended! On a personal note, when I was teaching at a high school with a large population of Spanish speaking students I called home to talk about the wonderful effort and progress a student had made. It wasn't until after I hung up the phone that I realized I had told this students father how hard I had been working when I meant to let him know his son had been the one putting out a lot of effort!
Couple these things with an environment that may produce stress (such as sitting in a classroom trying to master new and difficult material...) it's easy to see how communication (and subsequent learning) may break down.
Communication is obviously a complex
process, one that may be influenced by many factors. Things such as
All of these things play a part in how we send, receive and process what is being communicated.
As tutors, the more you can become aware of these factors - how your own culture, communication style and learning style influence and shape how you communicate - the more you will be able to meet the students where they're at.
Becoming aware of your own assumptions and biases, and being willing to move beyond those biases, will enable you to be able to work with other people in any setting. You'll also be able to help others understand things better because you will have an understanding of their particular perspective and background. Part of great tutoring is establishing good communication between you and the student.
One final point, even though you're the tutor and may think of yourself as someone who gets asked a lot of questions, you also need to know how to ask questions as well. As a matter of fact, the better you are at asking questions the better you will be at delivering good support. Your questions to the student can help clarify or define the area inwhich they need assistance.
Please
visit Techniques
that Work.
Complete the Communication
Skills assessment, print and add to your portfolio (Please note: this assignment does not require you to pay for the extensive evaluation)
Follow these links to Questioning Techniques
and then read How
to Handle Right and Wrong Answers.
Please
respond to all of questions below, print and add to your portfolio.
1. How can you use questions in a tutoring session?
2. What types of suggestions did you receive from the Communications Skills test?
3. What advice would you give to a student who wants to improve their communication skills?