Week 4 blog assignment

For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.


As thinking of this assignment, I have different thoughts about being an effective communicator. I evaluated myself as a "okay" communicator, being able to listen and comment on the conversation. When I asked my colleagues about my communication styles and abilities, they all thought I had good communication skills when talking to parents. They liked the way I restated their points and then added my new thoughts to it. When I asked my boyfriend about my communication skills, he mentioned that I didn't know how to start and stop a conversation, so my conversation with others were always longer than it should be. After listening to this comment, I reflected on myself and did find out this issue, probably because I'm a listener and seldom stop people's talking. I will keep in mind of this point and try to improve on it.

Week 3 blog post

When I think of communicating with people from different groups and cultures, I do find myself communicating differently, for example, when talking to western parents and Asian parents at my workplace. I have some stereotypical thoughts about these two groups, like most western parents want their children to be happy in the classroom while most Asian parents would want their children to learn something in the classroom. After learning communication skills, I think I should always to listen carefully before making any assumptions, because everyone has the right to express themselves and they want to be respected, like we want to be respected by others, so the Platinum Rule would help significantly during communication. Moreover, showing appropriate body language such as gestures and eye contact would be helpful during communication.

week 2 blog assignment

When I watched the TV show with the sound turned off, it seemed that the characters discussed hilarious and relaxing topics. They seemed to have good relationships because their body languages seemed relax and natural, and it seemed that they discussed an interesting topic that everyone was eager to participate in.

When I turned on the sound, I was correct that they were discussing a relaxing topic and everyone was comfortable about the topic. The topic itself was not hilarious. It made me feel hilarious because of the ways the characters laughed after sharing some of their thoughts. I believe my assumptions would have been more correct if I had been watching a show I know well because I would be more familiar with the characters, the ways they talk and the topics they concentrate on.

week 1 blog assignment

I have a colleague who demonstrates competent communication skills in the work place. She is an early childhood teacher and works with 4 years old class. When she speaks to parents, she always demonstrates good listening skills and make sure she listens to all the comments that person wants to make before speaking. She waits patiently and listens carefully for all the points people make and never jumps to conclusion without support or evidences. She also makes frequent eye contacts with people to make sure other people know that she listens. She communicates with parents in a positive way, even if she needs to comment on negative behavioural issues, she tries to make positive comments before delivering negative message. I think all of these are very effective communication skills and I would want to keep in mind some of these communication skills when I talk to my parents.