Top 5 Communication Skills You Need

Top 5 Communication Skills You Need

by | Sep 12, 2024 | Better communicator

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

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Top 5 Communication Skills You Need
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THE BLUE TREE

Better
Communicator

CEF B1

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this image
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warm up

Answer the questions below. Listen to model answers and read the transcript to get some more practice in conversational English.

What skills are needed to do your job well?
TRANSCRIPT

To do my job well in the marketing team, I need to be creative and have strong people skills. It’s really important to be able to think of fresh ideas for campaigns and to communicate well with my colleagues and clients. I also need to stay organized and be able to focus, which is something I’m always working on.

Do you believe that people who graduate from universities are generally well prepared to face work challenges?
TRANSCRIPT

I think it depends. Universities give you a solid foundation, but the real preparation comes from hands-on experience. A lot of challenges at work, especially in HR, involve understanding people and handling unexpected situations. That’s something you really learn on the job, not just in a classroom.

If you could learn one thing that will help you do your job better, what would it be?
TRANSCRIPT

If I could learn one thing to help me in my job as an underwriter, it would be mastering more advanced data analysis tools. My work already involves a lot of numbers, but getting even better at analyzing large sets of data quickly would make my job more efficient and accurate.

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key language

Study the words below. Make sure you understand them well.

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part one

VIDEO

Watch the first part of the video.

Comprehension questions

Answer the questions below. Use the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 0:29 What is the number one skill?
  • ⌚ 0:40 What effect does good presenting skills have on people who listen to you?
  • ⌚0:45 What does it mean that public speaking is like an escalator?
  • ⌚0:54 Is public speaking a soft or hard skill?
  • ⌚ 1:32 What is informative speaking about?
  • ⌚ 2:03 What does persuasive speaking entail?
  • ⌚ 2:19 When does impromptu speaking happen?
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part two

VIDEO

Watch the second part of the video.

Comprehension questions

Answer the questions below. Use the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 3:08 What are verbal communications skills about?
  • ⌚ 3:28 What’s the first characteristic of good verbal skills?
  • ⌚ 3:55 What are signposts and why should we use them when we speak?
  • ⌚ 4:17 What does using plain language mean?
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part three

VIDEO

Watch the third part of the video.

Comprehension questions

Answer the questions below. Use the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 4:55 What do people with good interpersonal skills know how to do?
  • ⌚ 5:02 What does empathizing mean in this context?
  • ⌚ 5:09 What can people with with good interpersonal skills handle well?
  • ⌚ 5:36 How do researchers divide communication skills?
  • ⌚ 5:42 What does it mean to be a well-rounded communicator?
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part four

VIDEO

Watch the fourth part of the video.

Comprehension questions

Answer the questions below. Use the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 5:50 What does working well in groups and teams entail?
  • ⌚ 6:12 How important is collaborative spirit?
  • ⌚ 6:29 How do good communicators see other people in their team or group?
  • ⌚ 6:34 What is one way to stand out in a group?
  • ⌚ 7:03 What is the common issue with problem solving discussions?
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part five

VIDEO

Watch the fifth part of the video.

Comprehension questions

Answer the questions below. Use the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 7:27 What is the last top skill?
  • ⌚ 7:40 How much do good leaders listen in comparison to an average employee?
  • ⌚ 8:18 What do good listeners do?
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POLL

Cast your vote in the poll below.

Which of the the three types of public speaking would you like to be better at?
Which of the characteristics of good verbal communication skills do you find the most appealing?
Which of the interpersonal communication skills do you find the most difficult to implement?
Which of the elements related to working well in groups and teams are you good at already?
Which of the elements of the listening skill would you like to get better at? (you can select more than one)
1 vote

CAST YOUR VOTE
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DISCUSSION

ALITA AND PETE DISCUSS THESE SKILLS

Read (role-play) this dialogue between Alita and Pete. They are talking about their experience with these top skills for work.

Alita: You know, Pete, I’ve been thinking a lot about those communication skills we’ve been discussing. Public speaking, verbal communication, working well in teams… they all seem so important in our jobs.

Pete: Yeah, definitely. I’ve had a lot of practice with interpersonal communication in HR, but public speaking is still something I need to improve. What about you?

Alita: I’m the same with public speaking. I get nervous every time I have to present something in front of a large group. But I think I’m pretty good at verbal communication—being concise and clear. It helps in marketing when you need to get the message across quickly.

Pete: That’s a good point. Being concise is something I’m working on. Sometimes I can get a bit long-winded when explaining policies to staff. Kat’s really mastered that, though. She’s so precise in the way she communicates.

Alita: Oh yeah, Kat’s amazing at that! She’s always so to the point. I could learn a lot from her. I think I’m also pretty strong at working in teams, though. I love collaborating with people, and I feel like I contribute well when we’re brainstorming ideas.

Pete: You’re definitely great at teamwork. It’s clear you’ve got that collaborative spirit. And Sven’s got listening skills down. He’s always so calm and collected in meetings, really paying attention to everyone’s input.

Alita: Sven’s definitely a great listener. I should probably follow his example. I get a little distracted sometimes when I’m multitasking and could improve on that. Listening is a big part of good communication, isn’t it?

Pete: For sure. I think mastering these skills is crucial if we want to keep growing professionally. The more we can refine them, the better we’ll be at leading and making an impact.

Alita: Absolutely. It’s not just about doing the job; it’s about evolving in how we communicate and connect with others. We’ve got some work ahead of us, but I’m looking forward to it.

Pete: Same here. And we’ve got good examples around us—Kat and Sven show us that it’s possible to master these skills. We’ll get there.

Alita: Definitely. Let’s keep learning and improving!

OVER TO YOU

Discuss these questions. Refer to the lesson and your own experience. 

  • Which communication skill do you think is the most challenging to develop, and why?
  • How have strong communication skills helped you in your workplace? Can you share a specific example?
  • In what ways can improving listening skills enhance teamwork and collaboration?
  • What role does non-verbal communication play in the workplace, and how can we become more aware of it?
  • How do you think mastering public speaking can influence your professional growth, even if it’s not a big part of your current role?
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COMMENTS

Share your views and experience here.

Magic Words by Jonah Berger

Magic Words by Jonah Berger

by | Oct 10, 2023 | Better communicator

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

back to HOME > Personal Development > Better Communicator >

Magic Words by Jonah Berger
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Better
Communicator

CEF B1

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this image
et|icon_chat|

warm up

In this lesson we will review the book “Magic Words” by Jonah Berger. Have a look at some discussion questions below. Answer them using your own experience. Listen to some model answers and relate back what you have heard.

The Power of Words: Can you recall a time when someone’s words had a significant impact on your feelings or decisions, either positively or negatively? How did that make you feel, and why do you think those particular words had such an effect on you?
Self-Persuasion: Have you ever used specific words or phrases to motivate or discourage yourself from doing something? For instance, telling yourself ‘I can’t’ versus ‘I don’t’ when faced with a temptation or challenge?
Influence on Others: Have you noticed how different words or approaches can change people’s reactions or decisions? For example, how asking someone ‘Could you help me?’ might have a different response compared to ‘Would you mind helping me?’ Why do you think that is?
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part one

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key language

Study the words below. Make sure you understand them well.

Listen to the recording to learn how to pronounce them.

to double the chancespodwajać szanseWinning the lottery would double the chances of him going on a world tour.
enormousogromnyThe elephant has an enormous size compared to the mouse.
banishwypędzanie, usuwanieShe is banishing the negative thoughts from her mind.
nervesnerwyI always get nerves before speaking in public.
performancewystęp, wykonanieHer performance in the play was outstanding.
dramaticallydramatycznieHis health improved dramatically after changing his diet.
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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 0:19 How powerful are words?
  • ⌚ 0:21 What will the first word help you with?
  • ⌚ 0:22 What will the second word help you with?
  • ⌚ 0:23 What’s the power of this category of words we will learn later in this lesson?
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part two

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key language

Study the words below. Make sure you understand them well. 

enhancedwzmocniony, podkreślonyThe spices enhanced the flavor of the dish.
temptedkuszonyShe was tempted to eat the last piece of cake.
substitutionsubstytucjaAlmond milk is a common substitution for dairy milk in vegan recipes.
autonomyautonomiaAchieving autonomy in decision-making is crucial for personal growth.
locus of controlośrodek kontroliBelieving in fate means having an external locus of control.
heightenspodnosi, wzmacniaThe suspense heightens as the story progresses.
extinguishesgasi, tłumiThe rain extinguishes the campfire.
non-negotiableniepodlegający negocjacjomThe terms of the contract were non-negotiable.
leveragewykorzystaćShe wants to leverage her skills in the new job.
prioritizepriorytetyzowaćIt’s essential to prioritize your tasks to be productive.
directivedyrektywa, polecenieThe manager gave a clear directive to the team.
persuasiveprzekonywującyHis argument was so persuasive that everyone agreed.
pronepodatnySome plants are prone to certain pests.
resistanceopórThere was a lot of resistance to the new policy.
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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 0:45 What were the first group of participants told to do?
  • ⌚ 0:50 What were the second group supposed to say to themselves?
  • ⌚ 1:07 What effect did this have in the end?
  • ⌚ 1:27 How does saying “I can’t” make us feel?
  • ⌚ 1:34 What happens when we say “I don’t”?
  • ⌚ 1:51 What are other benefits of using “I don’t”?
  • ⌚ 2:05 How can we leverage the power of “I don’t”?
  • ⌚ 2:25 Which of the three examples resonates with you the most?
  • ⌚ 2:38 Why is it important to use “because” and “choose to”?
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part three

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key language

Study the words below. Make sure you understand them well. 

nerve-wrackingdenerwującyPreparing for the exam was a nerve-wracking experience.
self-talkrozmowa z sobąSelf-talk can be a useful tool for motivation and reflection.
intensifieswzmacnia, potęgujeThe music intensifies as the movie reaches its climax.
qualificationskwalifikacjeHis qualifications make him suitable for the job.
cortisolkortyzolStress can increase the levels of cortisol in the body.
promptspobudza, skłaniaThe bright colors prompted her to buy the dress.
supportivewspierającyHe has always been a supportive friend.
declarationsdeklaracjeShe made several bold declarations during the meeting.
procrastinatingzwlekanieStop procrastinating and start working on your project.
dissatisfyingniesatysfakcjonującyThe food at that restaurant was quite dissatisfying.
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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 3:09 How do many people self-talk? Which pronouns do they use?
  • ⌚ 3:32 What should we replace the “I” pronoun with?
  • ⌚ 3:49 How did the presenters who used the second person self-talk perform on a presentation?
  • ⌚ 4:02 What is the benefit of seeing the situation from a supportive coach perspective?
  • ⌚ 4:13 What words can boost your confidence even further?
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part four

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key language

Study the words below. Make sure you understand them well. 

strivingdążenieShe is striving to achieve excellence in her studies.
boostzwiększyć, podnieśćThe advert gave a significant boost to sales.
lecturingwykładanie, pouczanieHe’s been lecturing at the university for years.
eliteelitaShe belongs to the elite group of athletes in the country.
upholdpodtrzymywać, przestrzegaćIt’s important to uphold the traditions of our ancestors.
turnoutfrekwencjaThe turnout for the event was much higher than expected.
cheateroszustNobody likes a cheater in a game.
concisezwięzłyHer writing style is clear and concise.
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watch the video

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COMPREHENSION

  • ⌚ 4:39 How can you help a person who got stuck?
  • ⌚ 5:07 What do “could” questions help people to focus on?
  • ⌚ 5:23 What do good coaches know and what do they say to their clients as a result?
  • ⌚ 5:42 When people don’t do what we expect them to do, what shouldn’t we do?
  • ⌚ 5:42 What should we do instead?
  • ⌚ 6:06 What examples illustrate the power of building identity?
  • ⌚ 6:20 Why is turning actions into identities effective?
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POLL

Cast your vote in the poll below.

Which of the lessons from the book "Magic Words" by Jonah Berger appeals to you the most

CAST YOUR VOTE
×
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PRACTICE

Let’s revise the vocabulary from this lesson.

Play this Multidecker flashcard game.

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COMMENTS

Share your views and experience here.