LEARNING EXPERIENCE[1]: Interested in learning how you perceive yourself as a communicator? If so, respond to this form--
How Competently Do You Communicate?
Carefully consider the following list of communication skills. Your self-assessed communication competence is most accurate if you are able to think back over past situations in which you communicated with others and generalize from those situations to derive your answers. To further establish the validity of your self-analysis, it may be helpful to get feedback from people who know you well and with whom you communicate often. Then, based on the scales, indicate how often you use each skill and how satisfied you are with your ability.
Scale for How Often
5 = all or most of the time (91-100 percent of the time)
4 = often (71-90 percent)
3 = sometimes (31-70 percent)
2 = rarely (11-30 percent)
1 = never or almost never (0-10 percent)
Scale for How Satisfied
5 = very satisfied
4 = somewhat satisfied
3 = neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
2 = somewhat dissatisfied
1 = very dissatisfied
How How
Often Satisfied
1. I listen effectively. ______
2. I use appropriate words for the situation. ______
3. I use appropriate pronunciation for the situation. ______
4. I use appropriate grammar for the situation. ______
5. I use effective eye contact. ______
6. I speak at a rate that is neither too slow nor too fast. ______
7. I speak fluently (avoiding "uh," "like, uh," "you know,"
awkward pauses, and silences). ______
8. My movements, such as gestures, enhance what I say. ______
9. I give appropriate spoken and unspoken feedback. ______
10. I use vocal variety when I speak (rather than speaking
in a monotone voice). ______
11. I speak neither too loudly nor too softly. ______
12. I use appropriate facial expressions. ______
13. I understand my communication partner's
main ideas. ______
14. I understand my communication partner's feelings. ______
15. I distinguish facts from opinions. ______
16. I distinguish between speaking to give someone
information and speaking to persuade someone to think,
feel, or act a particular way. ______
17. I recognize when my communication partner does not
understand my message. ______
18. I express ideas clearly and concisely. ______
19. I express and defend my point of view. ______
20. I organize messages so others can understand them. ______
21. I use questions and other forms of feedback to obtain
and clarify messages. ______
22. I respond to questions and other forms of feedback to
provide clarification. ______
23. I give understandable directions and instructions. ______
24. I summarize messages in my own words. ______
25. I describe another's viewpoint. ______
26. I describe differences of opinion. ______
27. I express my feelings and opinions to others. ______
28. I initiate and maintain conversations. ______
29. I recognize and control my anxiety in communication
situations. ______
30. I involve the other person in what I am saying. ______
Total ______
Compare your totals with these ranges:
How Often:
135-150 = Communicate skillfully all or most of the time
105-134 = Often communicate skillfully
75-104 = Sometimes communicate skillfully
45-74 = Rarely communicate skillfully
30-44 = Never or almost never communicate skillfully
How Satisfied:
135-150 = Very satisfied with my communication skills
105-134 = Somewhat satisfied with my communication skills
75-104 = Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with my communication skills
45-74 = Somewhat dissatisfied with my communication skills
30-44 = Very dissatisfied with my communication skills
Each item in the self-analysis describes a skill that is a component of communication competence. Your effective performance of these behaviors increases your potential for being a competent communicator.
Finally, even if you scored close to 150 on both parts of the self-quiz, you will find that there is still much to learn and put into practice! And, don't be discouraged if you scored lower than you would have liked. The purpose of this text and of your communication course is to help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to improve your competency as a communicator.
Source: These communication skills were determined by a task force of the National
Communication Association and endorsed by the organization’s Educational Policies Board to be minimal competencies for communicators. They are stated as an NCA guidelines in the organization’s publication, “Speaking and Listening Competencies for High School Graduates.”
______
[1] Taken from
Berko, R., Aitken, J. and Wolven, A. (2010). ICOMM: Interpersonal Concepts and Competencies. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.