Oral Communication Toolkit

Definition

Communication skills include the mix of verbal, interpersonal and physical strategies needed to interact confidently and effectively with a range of audiences. A skilful communicator draws on a number of different means (e.g., graphical, visual, statistical, audio-visual and technological) to get the point across.

Effective oral communication skills help students to:

• improve their own academic performance;
• increase their employment options;
• enhance their subsequent professional competence; and
• improve their own personal effectiveness.

Employers value good oral communication skills because:

• staff need to interact effectively and productively in, and on behalf of, the organisation;
• listening to and conveying information accurately are crucial;
• giving instructions and explanations clearly is essential; and
• engaging in constructive debate and contributing to meetings and committees are fundamental to the success of the organisation.

Australian research has found that the important elements of communication identified by small, medium and large enterprises are:

• listening and understanding;
• speaking clearly and directly;
• writing to the needs of the audience;
• negotiating responsively;
• reading independently;
• empathising;
• using numeracy effectively;
• understanding the needs of internal and external customers;
• persuading effectively;
• establishing and using networks;
• being assertive;
• sharing information; and
• speaking and writing in languages other than English.

AC Nielsen Research Services. (2000). Employer Satisfaction with Graduate Skills. Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. Canberra: AGPS.

• at the same time, this research found that graduates showed the greatest performance shortfall in:
• creativity and flair;
• oral business communications; and
• problem solving.

AC Neilsen Research Services.(2000). Employer Satisfaction with Graduate Skills. Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. Canberra: AGPS.

"Employers see communication skills as critical to customer service and workplace harmony, effective operations and productivity."

Business Council of Australia and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (2002). Employability Skills for the Future. Canberra: AGPS. Retrieved from the World Wide Web, 24 October, 2006
http://www.dest.gov.au/ty/publications/employability_skills/final_report.pdf

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