Purpose: to practise looking at people while you speak and experience people really listening to you.
Choose a partner to work with.
Think of a topic you know a lot about (for example, your family or friends, your pets, a sport or sportsperson, your favourite place).
Speak for half a minute about your topic while your partner models 'really listening'- no interrupting, comments or eye rolling.
Swap roles.
Discuss how it felt to be really listened to and how it felt to look at someone while talking for a long period of time. Discuss the listener's experience: Did they actually listen? How did they show they were listening? How did the speaker know they were listening?
Cultural note
Culture
The way we communicate with others is influenced by our culture. For example, some cultures may regard maintaining 'eye contact' as disrespectful.
Can you think of any ways that your cultural background influences the way you communicate with others?
Remember, when relating to people from other cultures it may be important to modify your speech, tone of voice, body language or even what you wear.
Purpose: to learn skills by modelling yourself on others.
Observe people as they make speeches in public (for example, at school, at sporting and social events or on TV). What do the effective public speakers do? Practise doing those things as well.
Think of someone you consider is a 'good communicator'. It could be a friend, family member, teacher or member of your community or someone you've seen on TV. What qualities help to make that person a 'good communicator'?