WCI

Communication in Co-op

It is important to use effective communication techniques with your teacher, your employer, and the people you work with at your placement.

Teacher

The primary way that you will communicate with your teacher about your placement experience is through the log sheets and journals that you submit. It is important to include vivid detail when describing the tasks you complete each day. The reflection is your opportunity to analyze what you are learning at your placement and to share any concerns that you may have with your teacher.

Your teacher will act as a mediator when necessary to help you work through any issues that may arise at your placement. The only way your teacher can help you is if you clearly communicate the problem to him or her.

Employer

You will spend the majority of your time at your co-op placement. It is important that you clearly express your thoughts and ideas to your supervisor. If you would like to try something new at your placement, you need to tell your supervisor. If you do not communicate openly with your supervisor, he or she will assume that you are satisfied with your experience and may not realize that you would like to be further challenged.

Co-Workers

Not only will you work with your supervisor, but you will also interact with many other people who work at your placement. It is important to take the time to get to know your co-workers and accept the fact that each person may have a distinct personality. It is important for you to learn how to get along with a variety of personalities.

Types of Communication

The most obvious way to communicate is through speech, but we also communicate through body language and emotions. We are able to send many different messages using both verbal and nonverbal means of communication.

The following is a breakdown of how often we use each of these methods in a given day.

Verbal communication - 7%
Tone of voice - 23%
Body language - 70%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communication Styles

There are three different communication styles that a person may use: passive, aggressive, or assertive. Ask yourself the following questions to see which communication style you use most often. What communication style do you think is the most effective?

 

Passive

• Do you put other people's feelings before your own to avoid conflict?
• Do you hesitate before addressing an issue? 
• Are you shy?
• Do you have difficulty making a decision?
• Do you say nothing instead of letting the person know what is bothering you?

 

Aggressive

• Do you put your needs first and ignore other people's feelings in the process? 
• Do you yell at people to get your point across?
• Do you blame others for your own mistakes?
• Are you sarcastic?
• Do you interrupt people?

Assertive

• Do you express your own rights but take into consideration other people’s feelings? 
• Do you express your feelings and your rights clearly?
• Do you act in your own best interest but consider the needs and rights of others?
• Do you develop trust and equality in your relationships?
• Do you ask for help when you need it?

 

Good Communication Skills

The following is a list of tips to help you communicate effectively:

 

1. Start all of your statements with the word “I.”
2. Tell what happened and how you feel.
3. Try not to use the word “you.”
4. Tell the other person how your concern involves him/her.
5. Tell what you would like to have happen.

 

Good Listening Skills

The following is a list of tips to help you be a good listener:

1.Give your full attention to the person speaking.
2. Focus on the speaker’s message by looking for the main idea.
3. Indicate your interest.
4. Remember what the speaker has said and, to be sure you heard it correctly, repeat the point so the person can correct you, if necessary.

 

How to be an Active Listener

1. Make time to stop and listen. Set aside other activities and give the speaker your full attention. Make eye contact and don't look at your watch. Allow the speaker to finish. If you ask questions, allow time for an adequate response.

2. Focus on what the speaker is saying without interrupting or judging. It's hard to take in someone's full message when your mind is wandering off in other directions, e.g., "She's wrong; I never said that," "I can't believe he really feels this way," "That's total nonsense," "That's just like what once happened to me ..."

3. Use body language that reflects attentiveness, sincerity, and warmth. Relax your facial muscles; smile. Incline your body slightly towards the speaker to indicate your interest. Nodding occasionally assures the speaker that you are following the story and wish to hear more.

4. Prompt the speaker to continue. Verbally signify your interest, e.g., "Really? ... Mmhmm ... I see ... Tell me more." Ask questions that require more than just a yes or no, and listen to the answers.

5. Restate the speaker's message in your own words. Say, "If I understand you correctly ..." and give the speaker back your understanding of what has been said. Paraphrasing shows that you have listened and have grasped the speaker's message.

6. Do a "listening check." After restating the message you heard, give the speaker the opportunity to confirm that your understanding is correct, e.g., "Is that right? Did I miss anything?" This provides an opportunity for further clarification, if necessary.

Very often people hear, but they do not listen to what is being said. Not listening attentively can lead to problems.

Tips to Help with Communication Barriers

Inattentive listening 

• If you have difficulty paying attention to other people, try to make a connection between your own life and the topic.

Interrupting other speakers 

• You need to make a conscious effort to listen to the other person before you begin to speak, add to, or interpret what others are saying.

Defensiveness

• You need to ask yourself whether it's a big deal to admit you're wrong.
• Consider the fact that others have the right to voice their opinion,

just as you do.
• You need to ensure that you do not take differences personally.

Not hearing the speaker out

• Make the effort to slow down and get the full story before you

reach any conclusions.

Offensive criticism

• Effective criticism should involve commenting on the behaviour, not the person. Try using "I" statements that define how you feel instead of attacking the individual. For example, "I feel frustrated when you say you will call, but then you don't call."

Lack of emotional control

• You need to stop yourself from venting your negative emotions.
• You might even ask the other person if you could talk about the issue later, so that you can collect your thoughts first.

Lack of awareness of your own emotions

• Pay attention to your voice, gestures, the way you feel. 
• You need to stand up for yourself and practise discussing sensitive subjects.