Am I Speaking Clearly?

  I remember learning in an education class during my bachelors program that we use different kinds of speak depending on the atmosphere and the people that we are around.  Thus to answer the question of whether or not I find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures, I would have to say yes.  I have found that when I am with my colleagues at school, I speak in  a professional manner.  When I am with my students, depending on the grade because I teach 4-8th graders, I speak differently.  With the upper grade children, I have to treat them as an equal and show that I am a real person just like they are.  The more that they see of me in a real role, the better relationships I can build and communicate better.  Often children who do not do well with other teachers flourish in my group because I treat them as an equal and with respect.  However, I can still joke with them and they feel comfortable joking with me.  These children are from a various of backgrounds, but mostly Hispanic.  When I speak with my friends from various backgrounds, Hispanic, African American, and Asian I get along with all of them, but again, in different ways.  Lastly, whenever I speak to parents or guardians regarding their children, I am professional, but also friendly to build a relationship with them.
   I typically get along with everyone, so communication is not an issue that I feel that I have to develop.  I would like to become more confident when speaking with or in front of my peers and with other adults.  I do enjoy the relationships that I have because they are all unique. 

Three strategies that will help me to communicate more effectively with all of these groups are to be aware of my non-verbal cues (not multi tasking, eye contact), making sure I maintain an open relationship with all groups, and to change my listening habits to become a more active listener.  

Communication, Communication

For this weeks' post I decided to watch a Disney show called Pair of Kings.  I would not normally watch this, but my niece loves Disney and many of its programs.  The premise of this show is twin brothers inherit a small isolated island, Kin Kow.  The boys grew up in Chicago with their aunt and uncle as their parents died when they were babies.  

     From what I observed in the first ten minutes I can tell that the boys have a strong relationship with each other.  They exhibit constant eye contact, their bodies are facing each other, and their facial expression seem to react to what the other has said, or events happening.  Even the "guards" have a good relationship with the kings as the constantly are interacting and guarding the boys.  The boys do venture off into the island and get into mischief.  However, the girl guard does show some anger or frustration in her face.  

  When I watched the show with the sound on I learned that the frustration the girl was exhibiting is because the kings are portrayed as less than average in intelligence.  The boys are similar to the character Amelia Bedilia in that they take everything literally.  The boys do love each other, but often argue within the show.  They genuinely listen to each other, but when it comes time to take responsibility for their actions, the boys quickly blame each other.

This was an interesting show and I am not sure what benefits it holds for children.  The body language, eye contact and active listening are all good models of what to do during a discussion, but the show itself was bizarre. 

Communication

For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?

When it comes to communication the first person that comes to my mind is my friend Christopher.  Christopher was a teacher and holds a degree in English and Journalism.  He has an extensive vocabulary and can talk to anyone about any topic.  He is well spoken and very intelligent.  Some people may find Christopher offensive as he is very honest and blunt about anything (he is autistic as well, thus he has had to learn emotions as he was growing up).  However as this is Christopher's greatest attribute, he can be abrasive at times.  I personally never get offended, but I have had several co-workers question how I can be friends with him.  I am also bluntly honest and appreciate that I have Christopher as a friend.  I know that if I need an honest opinion I can ask him.  

  Christopher is an effective communicator because he can express himself well to everyone.  In conversations with Christopher, I know how he feels and what he expects depending on the conversation.  I do aspire to have an extended vocabulary like Christopher, and be able to express myself clearly as he does.  I often wonder if people do not understand what I am saying because I do express my ideas clearly.  

  The one behavior that I would not like to have that Christopher does possess is his inability to sense emotion in others when he speaks.  Sometimes Christopher is offensive and he does not understand while others get upset.  Also, he cannot read emotions of others.  Perhaps him not being able is what has made him such an effective communicator.