With our English Communication Programme, we explain, demonstrate, and practice how to improve communication in several areas. The cultural and language differences are the main areas, including verbal and non-verbal communication.
Even if one person can express themselves clearly and understands what is being said, others may not. A recent experience of someone I know has demonstrated poor communication causes a bigger problem out of a smaller one. This is their experience.
Mutual agreement
My friend arranged to have a 30-minute weekly catch-up with their friend. With their busy lifestyles, they agreed on a fixed time that suited them both. Nice and simple, you would think.
Uncertain agreement
First cancellation – My friend called at the agreed time but his friend cancelled as he was unsure if they had arranged it. Solutions: When unsure, ask to know. When making appointments repeat back the agreement and ask if this is correct.
Not the agreement
Second cancellation – My friend’s arrangement was cancelled again two days before their catch-up. His friend booked time off work to do something else. Solutions: Choose words carefully. Do not use absolutes when you are not absolute. Again, confirm there is a mutual understanding when deciding something.
Forgotten agreement
Third cancellation – The agreed time was cancelled again the day before a catch-up because his friend forgot he had made other arrangements before theirs. Solution: Accidents and mistakes will happen, a sincere apology shows you are aware of your actions. In all of his cancellations, he has apologised which is best practice.
What agreement?
Fourth cancellation – His catch-up was cancelled again with no explanation 20 minutes before it would happen. Solution: When you cannot do something which has been agreed upon, an explanation of any type will help the other person understand.
Agreement unfulfilled
With the fourth cancellation, my friend expressed his disappointment with three cancellations out of six (it was four but he dismissed the first time). His friend replied he was ill and assumed my friend would know he wouldn’t cancel without a good reason. Solution: Never assume what another person thinks. Assuming is a guessing game where the wrong assumption can cause problems.
Disagreement
I would agree with my friend that “A 30-minute weekly catch-up at a fixed time” is a clear arrangement; for my friend’s friend, it was more flexible than that. Because of this misunderstanding, it has led to an argument and now they are not communicating at all! There have been consequences to this miscommunication.
ー オンライン英語コミュニケーションプログラム ー
【あなたの心が伝わるあなただけの英語】
英語でのコミュニケーションをあなたらしい英語で。一人一人のレベル、能力、
興味に合った教材や方法を用いたテイラーメイドの英語コミュニケーションプログラムです。
”あなたの英語”でコミュニケートしたい方は、まずは無料カウンセリングをご予約ください。
