Talking and listening skills

Expressing yourself effectively

When you are talking and listening (e.g. in a talk or a discussion) you should follow these guidelines:

• Know what you want to say
  Prepare in advance, and do some research.
• Speak at a speed which is not too fast and not too slow
  If you speak too fast, people might miss something. If you speak too slowly, people might get bored!
  
• Speak so that everyone can hear you and speak clearly
  Speak at the volume needed for the person furthest away.
  
• Make eye contact with listeners
  Look at people when you talk, and look at people when they speak.
• Use the correct words for the occasion
  Formal words for formal occasions. Informal words for informal occasions.
• Prepare your talk so that it's got a beginning, a middle and an end
  Talks need a good structure. Discussions must follow a logical structure too.
• Explain any points by offering examples or more information
  Examples make things easier to understand.
• Think about what questions you might get asked, so that you will know what to say
  If you don't know the answer to a question, say so and offer to get the information later.
• Take time to listen and think about what the other person said before you 'dive in'
  Listen and think before you react and respond.