I am a lecturer in a business school, and I would like to improve the communication skills of the students both verbally and non-verbally through games. I would greatly appreciate it if anybody could suggest a few games for this purpose.
Thank you,
Mary
From India, Madras
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Thank you,
Mary
From India, Madras
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Hi You can play games like "Taboo" or "Pictionary" they are fast and exciting. You can get this games in the market.
From Kuwait, Salmiya
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30From Kuwait, Salmiya
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thanq so much for the valuable ideas and i would appreciate if any more tricks are mentioned to improve my verbal skills
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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I would suggest looking up some of the daily newspapers and attempting simple crosswords, word-building games, word formation games, giving part of a proverb, and asking participants to fill in the blanks. Just let your imagination run riot, and I can guarantee you that you will be brimming with ideas.
Best wishes
From India, Mumbai
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Best wishes
From India, Mumbai
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As always, Jacob has given very fine ideas. I would like to add some more because I have been working with B Schools of all categories.
Ground Rules for Improving Communication Skills
- Always appreciate (it builds confidence).
- Have patience (no miracles happen).
- Give clear, specific individual feedback for improvement (it helps).
- Let it be fun-oriented so that they absorb quickly.
Suggested Activities
1. Thread a story (start a sentence like "A man was walking on the road...") and each person has to add one more line to continue the story.
2. Extempore speeches on random topics or current affairs.
3. Group discussions.
4. Short debates.
5. Short playlets/skits.
6. Short presentations (non-PowerPoint).
7. Short group presentations.
8. Selling items like pens or any stuff in the class.
9. Motivational poems - like "Think you Can".
10. Throw a word at them. Let them make sentences at high speed.
Hope it helps. All the best.
From India, Delhi
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Ground Rules for Improving Communication Skills
- Always appreciate (it builds confidence).
- Have patience (no miracles happen).
- Give clear, specific individual feedback for improvement (it helps).
- Let it be fun-oriented so that they absorb quickly.
Suggested Activities
1. Thread a story (start a sentence like "A man was walking on the road...") and each person has to add one more line to continue the story.
2. Extempore speeches on random topics or current affairs.
3. Group discussions.
4. Short debates.
5. Short playlets/skits.
6. Short presentations (non-PowerPoint).
7. Short group presentations.
8. Selling items like pens or any stuff in the class.
9. Motivational poems - like "Think you Can".
10. Throw a word at them. Let them make sentences at high speed.
Hope it helps. All the best.
From India, Delhi
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Hi, thanks, Riyaz, for your appreciation and also for adding to the ideas list. I am sure all those keen to make learning fun cannot say they do not have a list of ideas on how to enthuse and inspire the participants.
Regards
From India, Mumbai
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Regards
From India, Mumbai
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Communication Game Idea
One communication game clicked in my mind, which is as follows:
In a group of students, select two persons. One (1st person) will draw a drawing on the board as per the instructions of the other person (2nd person). The 2nd person will have a drawing consisting of a triangle, circle, square, etc., mixed. Both persons will stay at least 15 feet apart. The 2nd person, by seeing the drawing, instructs the 1st person to draw the image as per the sheet he is holding. However, a strict warning to both is that they will not look at each other. The 2nd person will only verbally instruct the 1st person, and based on the 2nd person's guidance, the 1st person (you can include the audience as well) will draw the image on the board. After completion, you can compare the actual drawing with the one drawn on the board by the 1st person. This exercise is a good example of communication and how we convey messages to others, and how they interpret them with their own perception.
I believe I have communicated this effectively. If you have any doubts, you can reach me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons].
Thanks,
Jayant Singarwadi
From India, Pune
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One communication game clicked in my mind, which is as follows:
In a group of students, select two persons. One (1st person) will draw a drawing on the board as per the instructions of the other person (2nd person). The 2nd person will have a drawing consisting of a triangle, circle, square, etc., mixed. Both persons will stay at least 15 feet apart. The 2nd person, by seeing the drawing, instructs the 1st person to draw the image as per the sheet he is holding. However, a strict warning to both is that they will not look at each other. The 2nd person will only verbally instruct the 1st person, and based on the 2nd person's guidance, the 1st person (you can include the audience as well) will draw the image on the board. After completion, you can compare the actual drawing with the one drawn on the board by the 1st person. This exercise is a good example of communication and how we convey messages to others, and how they interpret them with their own perception.
I believe I have communicated this effectively. If you have any doubts, you can reach me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons].
Thanks,
Jayant Singarwadi
From India, Pune
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Crazy Comic
Creating a good concept can take a really long time, and lots of thought must be put into it. When there is a large group of people working on the idea, the task may suddenly become easier because there is more brainpower working on the project. However, if people can't communicate their ideas with each other and make group decisions, many problems may arise. This activity is a simple task, but a great deal of communication is needed if a group is to be successful when attempting to work together to create an original idea.
Objective
To communicate ideas with others and make group decisions based upon discussion.
Who
People who need to work on communicating ideas with other people and who need to learn how to make a group decision by compromising on the ideas given.
Group Size
3 or more
Materials
- Paper
- Pens or pencils
- Colored markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Description
Divide the group into smaller groups of three to six members each. Supply each person in each group with a piece of paper and a writing utensil. Instruct the groups that they are to create an original comic strip and each person in the group must draw one frame of the strip (if there are four people in a group, the comic strip will contain four frames). The group must decide what to draw, the storyline, and who will draw what (there is a lot of communication involved in this one)!
Once the discussion has taken place about the comic strip and the decisions have been made, each person draws the frame they are responsible for on their own piece of paper. Everyone should be drawing at the same time and not taking turns with their group members. If you want to make it really challenging, don't allow group members to see each other's papers when they are drawing.
After the comic strips are completed, allow time for sharing and give each group a chance to show their comic strip to the other groups.
Discussion Prompts
1. What different communication skills were needed for this activity?
2. How important was communication during this activity?
3. What was the most difficult part of this activity for you?
4. Did your comic strip flow? Why or why not?
5. When involved in part of a group process, do you want things to always go your way, or do you allow others to contribute ideas?
6. Why is it important to be able to make decisions with other people?
7. What things do you need to do when making decisions with others?
8. In your life, when is it important to be able to communicate clearly with others?
Variation
Give them some ideas about what characters or settings to use in the comic strips.
From India, Madurai
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Creating a good concept can take a really long time, and lots of thought must be put into it. When there is a large group of people working on the idea, the task may suddenly become easier because there is more brainpower working on the project. However, if people can't communicate their ideas with each other and make group decisions, many problems may arise. This activity is a simple task, but a great deal of communication is needed if a group is to be successful when attempting to work together to create an original idea.
Objective
To communicate ideas with others and make group decisions based upon discussion.
Who
People who need to work on communicating ideas with other people and who need to learn how to make a group decision by compromising on the ideas given.
Group Size
3 or more
Materials
- Paper
- Pens or pencils
- Colored markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Description
Divide the group into smaller groups of three to six members each. Supply each person in each group with a piece of paper and a writing utensil. Instruct the groups that they are to create an original comic strip and each person in the group must draw one frame of the strip (if there are four people in a group, the comic strip will contain four frames). The group must decide what to draw, the storyline, and who will draw what (there is a lot of communication involved in this one)!
Once the discussion has taken place about the comic strip and the decisions have been made, each person draws the frame they are responsible for on their own piece of paper. Everyone should be drawing at the same time and not taking turns with their group members. If you want to make it really challenging, don't allow group members to see each other's papers when they are drawing.
After the comic strips are completed, allow time for sharing and give each group a chance to show their comic strip to the other groups.
Discussion Prompts
1. What different communication skills were needed for this activity?
2. How important was communication during this activity?
3. What was the most difficult part of this activity for you?
4. Did your comic strip flow? Why or why not?
5. When involved in part of a group process, do you want things to always go your way, or do you allow others to contribute ideas?
6. Why is it important to be able to make decisions with other people?
7. What things do you need to do when making decisions with others?
8. In your life, when is it important to be able to communicate clearly with others?
Variation
Give them some ideas about what characters or settings to use in the comic strips.
From India, Madurai
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Direction Direction
In our society, there is a constant transfer of information from one person to another. You must be careful when you pass information on if you want it to stay accurate. One great example shows up in rules for a game. If you check with people in different parts of the country, you will find out that many of the games have different rules. Someone or something changed the rules a little bit.
In this activity, someone gets a set of rules, and the group gets to see how easy it can be to make mistakes in passing them on. This can be a fun way to see what can happen when information is not passed on correctly.
Objective
For people to recognize the importance of using good communication skills when giving directions and when receiving directions. To recognize the difficulties encountered when interpreting what someone else said.
Who
- People who believe everything they hear.
- People who could benefit from listening carefully to directions and passing them along correctly.
Group Size
2 or more
Materials
- Varies
Description
Choose a game that has a few specific rules that must be followed to play the game (and enough rules to make it hard to remember them all). Prior to the activity, select one person and give him/her the directions for the game without telling the rest of the group. Verbally explain the game and clearly state all of the rules.
At the time of the game, the person who has heard the rules will give the directions to the rest of the group without any help from you. Allow the group to play the game once through before having a group discussion or making any corrections or clarifications in the rules of the game.
Discussion Topics
1. Was there any confusion about the rules of the game?
2. Why do you think the game was explained correctly (or incorrectly)?
3. What is important to remember when listening to others and when giving directions?
Variations
- Select a game that requires two teams. Separate the two teams and select one member from each team to receive the directions for the game. Each person explains the rules to his/her team.
- Give each team a different set of directions, on purpose.
From India, Madurai
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In our society, there is a constant transfer of information from one person to another. You must be careful when you pass information on if you want it to stay accurate. One great example shows up in rules for a game. If you check with people in different parts of the country, you will find out that many of the games have different rules. Someone or something changed the rules a little bit.
In this activity, someone gets a set of rules, and the group gets to see how easy it can be to make mistakes in passing them on. This can be a fun way to see what can happen when information is not passed on correctly.
Objective
For people to recognize the importance of using good communication skills when giving directions and when receiving directions. To recognize the difficulties encountered when interpreting what someone else said.
Who
- People who believe everything they hear.
- People who could benefit from listening carefully to directions and passing them along correctly.
Group Size
2 or more
Materials
- Varies
Description
Choose a game that has a few specific rules that must be followed to play the game (and enough rules to make it hard to remember them all). Prior to the activity, select one person and give him/her the directions for the game without telling the rest of the group. Verbally explain the game and clearly state all of the rules.
At the time of the game, the person who has heard the rules will give the directions to the rest of the group without any help from you. Allow the group to play the game once through before having a group discussion or making any corrections or clarifications in the rules of the game.
Discussion Topics
1. Was there any confusion about the rules of the game?
2. Why do you think the game was explained correctly (or incorrectly)?
3. What is important to remember when listening to others and when giving directions?
Variations
- Select a game that requires two teams. Separate the two teams and select one member from each team to receive the directions for the game. Each person explains the rules to his/her team.
- Give each team a different set of directions, on purpose.
From India, Madurai
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I am a Soft Skills Trainer and would like to have your suggestions on some activity-based training content on confidence building, positive attitude building, and how to overcome the fear of public speaking. It would be great if you could assist me.
Regards, Amit Mathur
From India, Thana
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Regards, Amit Mathur
From India, Thana
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Dear Mary, One communication game came to my mind, which is as follows:
Communication Game: Drawing Instructions
In a group of students, select two persons. The 1st person will draw a picture on the board according to the instructions of the other person (2nd person). The 2nd person will have a drawing consisting of a triangle, circle, square, etc., mixed.
Both persons will stay at least 15 feet apart. The 2nd person, by looking at the drawing, instructs the 1st person to draw the picture as per the sheet he has. However, there is a strict rule that they will not look at each other. The 2nd person will only verbally instruct the 1st person, and based on the 2nd person's guidance, the 1st person (you can add the audience as well) draws the picture on the board.
Upon completion, you can observe the disparity between the actual drawing and the one drawn on the board by the 1st person. This is a good example and exercise in communication, illustrating how we communicate with others and how others interpret it based on their own perception.
I believe I have communicated in the right manner. If you have any doubts, you can reach me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]. Mail ID: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Thanks,
Jayant Singarwadi
From India, Pune
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Communication Game: Drawing Instructions
In a group of students, select two persons. The 1st person will draw a picture on the board according to the instructions of the other person (2nd person). The 2nd person will have a drawing consisting of a triangle, circle, square, etc., mixed.
Both persons will stay at least 15 feet apart. The 2nd person, by looking at the drawing, instructs the 1st person to draw the picture as per the sheet he has. However, there is a strict rule that they will not look at each other. The 2nd person will only verbally instruct the 1st person, and based on the 2nd person's guidance, the 1st person (you can add the audience as well) draws the picture on the board.
Upon completion, you can observe the disparity between the actual drawing and the one drawn on the board by the 1st person. This is a good example and exercise in communication, illustrating how we communicate with others and how others interpret it based on their own perception.
I believe I have communicated in the right manner. If you have any doubts, you can reach me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]. Mail ID: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Thanks,
Jayant Singarwadi
From India, Pune
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Please let me know the result/response after incorporating the game. I would also like to know about other games that you are using during training sessions. You can email me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].
Thanks,
Regards,
Jayant Singarwadi
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
From India, Pune
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Thanks,
Regards,
Jayant Singarwadi
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
From India, Pune
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Hi Hermi and Pooja, Taboo is a game of word cards. There is a particular word mentioned on the card, and the person playing the card has to describe the word to their team within one minute. The fun part is, below the mentioned word, there is a list of words that the player cannot use while describing the mentioned word. The team has to guess the mentioned word described by the player within one minute. The more cards you finish in a minute, the more points the team scores.
Pictionary
Pictionary is a game in which a word is mentioned on the card, and you have to draw the word to describe it to your team. The player is not allowed to speak, only draw.
You can get these games in any toy store, especially those that sell games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or other board games.
From Kuwait, Salmiya
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Pictionary
Pictionary is a game in which a word is mentioned on the card, and you have to draw the word to describe it to your team. The player is not allowed to speak, only draw.
You can get these games in any toy store, especially those that sell games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or other board games.
From Kuwait, Salmiya
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Hi all, thank you very much for all these valuable suggestions; it's wonderful and feels great to be part of such a fantastic group. Thanks to Jayant for that game, to Kriyaz for those suggestions, and to Jacob for those games and ideas.
With much appreciation,
Mary
From India, Madras
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With much appreciation,
Mary
From India, Madras
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You may also try using some good placards relating to situations that require more of an analytical view of thought rather than a subjective one. This approach will not only help the students boost their interest in learning but also aid in developing their intelligence quotient.
If you are interested, I can certainly share a few sample placards with you.
From India, New Delhi
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If you are interested, I can certainly share a few sample placards with you.
From India, New Delhi
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I am also working in a B school and am involved in certain sessions of PD and English improvement too. In fact, I also implement the ways suggested by Mr. Riyaz Khan in my classes. They really work. Along with these, the Story Coining technique works well to develop the thinking process, vocabulary, and grammar of students.
In addition, you can incorporate a discussion session where a topic is given to the class, and students are paired up. After about 15 minutes, each team can present what they discussed regarding the topic. Meanwhile, you can provide input on the vocabulary used if the students are interested. This exercise will enhance their English, presentation skills, and thought process simultaneously.
Regards,
Ratika Chawla
From India, Moradabad
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In addition, you can incorporate a discussion session where a topic is given to the class, and students are paired up. After about 15 minutes, each team can present what they discussed regarding the topic. Meanwhile, you can provide input on the vocabulary used if the students are interested. This exercise will enhance their English, presentation skills, and thought process simultaneously.
Regards,
Ratika Chawla
From India, Moradabad
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Games to improve Communication Skills.doc
Communication skills for software engineers V.1.pdf