(토요모임) [Aug. 16, 2014]Saturday meeting topic

[susanna]

Method 1 of 4: Understanding the Basics of Communication Skills

1. Know what communication really is. Communication is the process of transferring signals/messages between a sender and a receiver through various methods (written words, nonverbal cues, spoken words). It is also the mechanism we use to establish and modify relationships.

2. Have courage to say what you think . Be confident in knowing that you can make worthwhile contributions to conversation. Take time each day to be aware of your opinions and feelings so you can adequately convey them to others. Individuals who are hesitant to speak because they do not feel their input would be worthwhile need not fear. What is important or worthwhile to one person may not be to another and may be more so to someone else.

3. Practice. Developing advanced communication skills begins with simple interactions. Communication skills can be practiced every day in settings that range from the social to the professional. New skills take time to refine, but each time you use your communication skills, you open yourself to opportunities and future partnerships.
Method 2 of 4: Engage Your Audience

1. Make eye contact. Whether you are speaking or listening, looking into the eyes of the person with whom you are conversing can make the interaction more successful. Eye contact conveys interest and encourages your partner to be interested in you in return.
• One technique to help with this is to consciously look into one of the listener’s eyes and then move to the other eye. Going back and forth between the two makes your eyes appear to sparkle. Another trick is to imagine a letter “T” on the listener’s face ,with the cross bar being an imaginary line across the eye brows and the vertical line coming down the center of the nose. Keep your eyes scanning that “T” zone.

2. Use gestures. These include gestures with your hands and face. Make your whole body talk. Use smaller gestures for individuals and small groups. The gestures should get larger as the group that one is addressing increases in size.
3. Don’t send mixed messages. Make your words, gestures, facial expressions and tone match. Disciplining someone while smiling sends a mixed message and is therefore ineffective. If you have to deliver a negative message, make your words, facial expressions, and tone match the message.

4. Be aware of what your body is saying. Body language can say so much more than a mouthful of words. An open stance with arms relaxed at your sides tells anyone around you that you are approachable and open to hearing what they have to say.
• Arms crossed and shoulders hunched, on the other hand, suggest disinterest in conversation or unwillingness to communicate. Often, communication can be stopped before it starts by body language that tells people you don't want to talk.
• Appropriate posture and an approachable stance can make even difficult conversations flow more smoothly.
5. Manifest constructive attitudes and beliefs. The attitudes you bring to communication will have a huge impact on the way you compose yourself and interact with others. Choose to be honest, patient, optimistic, sincere, respectful, and accepting of others. Be sensitive to other people's feelings, and believe in others' competence.

6. Develop effective listening skills: Not only should one be able to speak effectively, one must listen to the other person's words and engage in communication on what the other person is speaking about. Avoid the impulse to listen only for the end of their sentence so that you can blurt out the ideas or memories your mind while the other person is speaking.

Method 3 of 4: Use Your Words

1. Enunciate your words. Speak clearly and don’t mumble. If people are always asking you to repeat yourself, try to do a better job of articulating yourself in a better manner.
2. Pronounce your words correctly. People will judge your competency through your vocabulary. If you aren’t sure of how to say a word, don’t use it.

3. Use the right words. If you’re not sure of the meaning of a word, don’t use it. Grab a dictionary and start a daily habit of learning one new word per day. Use it sometime in your conversations during the day.
4. Slow your speech down. People will perceive you as nervous and unsure of yourself if you talk fast. However, be careful not to slow down to the point where people begin to finish your sentences just to help you finish.

Method 4 of 4: Use Your Voice
1. Develop your voice _ A high or whiny voice is not perceived to be one of authority. In fact, a high and soft voice can make you sound like prey to an aggressive co-worker or make others not take you seriously. Begin doing exercises to lower the pitch of your voice. Try singing, but do it an octave lower on all your favorite songs. Practice this and, after a period of time, your voice will begin to lower.

2. Animate your voice. Avoid a monotone and use dynamics. Your pitch should raise and lower periodically. Radio DJ's are usually a good example of this.
3. Use appropriate volume. Use a volume that is appropriate for the setting. Speak more softly when you are alone and close. Speak louder when you are speaking to larger groups or across larger spaces.

Question!
1. What kind of coummunication skills do you have? and what do you want to have or improve?
2. How is communication changing between people?
3. It used to be common to talk to strangers. Do you think it’s okay to talk to people you don’t know?
4. How often do you start up a conversation with people you don’t know?
5. Are you a person who try to talk to a stranger first in order to break a ice or wait till they talk to you?
6. Think about how your Grandmother talks with people. Is it the same as how you talk to people?
7. Use your imagination. How will people communicate in the future?
8. How have smart phones changed communication?
9. Name at least 10 forms of communication.
10. Do you think people can communicate with ghosts and spirits?
11. How has communication changed through human history?
12. What is the most basic form of communication?

There are no reasons or excuses for racism. It's just wrong.

Racism is the belief that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race and that some racial groups are superior to others. Racism and discrimination have been used as powerful weapons encouraging fear or hatred of others in times of conflict and war, and even during economic downturns.

Racism is ugly. It divides people into “us” and “them”, based on where we come from or the colour of our skin. And it happens when people feel that it’s okay to treat others badly as they go about their daily lives.

Racism is more than just words or actions. It also includes the invisible barriers, big and small, that can prevent pe ople from doing as well in life as others simply because of their cultural background.

Words are powerful. When we use them well, they can bring people together. When we use them carelessly, they can tear people apart.

We’ve all been there. You see or hear something racist and you want to say or do something but you’re not sure how to go about it.

It takes guts to stand up to racism _ but you should never put your physical safety at risk. There are plenty of things you can do to make a difference that don’t involve confrontation.

If you’re on the receiving end of racism, you could…

Say something if it feels okay to do so. It doesn’t have to be aggressive or abusive. In fact, it’s often more effective if it’s not. Here are some ideas suggested by young people.

“What you just said is really offensive and rude.”

“Please, have some respect for yourself and for others.”

Say nothing. Sometimes people just want to provoke you and get a reaction. Walking away may defuse the situation.

Report it. Call the police if you feel threatened or unsafe at any time.
Online: Most social media sites have policies for dealing with offensive material. For example Facebook allows you to report content that breaches its terms of use. You can get more information about cybersafety here.
At school: Talk to a teacher, counsellor or student welfare officer.
On public transport: Let the bus driver or station guard know what’s going on.

​Talk to someone. Get advice and support from friends, teachers or parents.

“I spoke to my teacher about what happened to me. He couldn’t help me too much, but I felt much better when someone was willing to hear and believe what I had experienced”.
- Rob, 15


Question!
1 .Do you think racism exists in Korea?
2. There is common belief that Koreans are a "pure blood" that have been homogenous throughout history. Do you still agree with that?
3. Have you experienced racism before? How did you react to the racism?
4. What kind of prejudgements did/do you have to the other nations or the other people?
If it is changed, what makes you think differently?

[Scarlet]

Thanx for uploading the Sat. topic material ! plz change the title of the article as indicated below !
[Aug. 16, 2014]Saturday meeting topic

[susanna]

Thanks I didn't knowㅋ.ㅋmodified it

[김연철]

수고가 많음 . ^^

Thanks for it.

[susanna]

My pleasure :)

[junga^^]

토요일 오후 7시 맞나요??!!

[susanna]

네~ 토욜 7시 맞아요~너무 늦게 답했네요ㅠㅠ오늘 모임 가셨어요?