Communication skills are the skills needed to use as a kind of language, regardless of verbally, non verbally or written, to interact with one another. Language employs symbols - words, gestures, or spoken sounds to represent objects and ideas. Communication of language begins with spoken sounds combined with gestures. For example, the earliest form of communications we have is the first cry we made when we came into this world. And as we grow older as a child, we first get hold of the skills to receive communications, that is, the ability to listen and understand what we hear, and sometimes supported by accompanying gestures from the adults. Next, we will begin experimenting with expressing ourselves through speaking and gesturing. Speaking will begin as repetitive syllables, followed by words, phrases, and sentences. Gradually, we will acquire the skills of reading and writing - the written forms of communication.
Nowadays, communication becomes a requirement in life but how many of us actually practice effective communication skills and be more sensitive towards the other party’s feelings? In any communication, at least some of the "meaning” was lost in simple transmission of a message from the sender to the receiver. Moreover, in many situations a lot of the true message is lost and the message that is heard is often far different than the one intended. This is most obvious in cross-cultural situations where language is an issue. But it can be also common among people of the same culture. For example, in one family, if one appears to be in a bad mood of something (regardless is work matters or school stuffs), his/her family ought to know or else they will be worried for you and start to wonder what actually happened. On the other hand, this can also strengthen family ties and he/she will feel the love, care and concern from the family.
People tend to overlook the fact that communicating effectively actually needs the participation of both parties, or else it will lead to many conflicts or misunderstandings due to this very reason.
Hence, I believe that it's not sufficient, though, simply to communicate. The person you're communicating with has to understand what you're trying to say; in other words, you have to learn to communicate clearly and effectively. Developing effective communication skills takes effort, but they can be learned, and the results more than warrant the effort.
