Receptive communicative skills are the ability to clearly understand and interpret verbal and nonverbal communication from others They are important for being able to collaborate and interact with colleagues, peers, and instructors effectively. Receptive communicative skills are essential in an academic setting, such as university, as they enable students to more effectively absorb and act upon information.
When it comes to the when, how, and why of receptive communicative skills, students must practice them in order to be successful at university. There are many opportunities and situations on campus where students can put their receptive communicative skills to use, and here are five examples.
1. During Class Discussions: One of the most important places to practice receptive communicative skills is in class discussions. It is vital to be able to clearly understand what others are saying and respond in an appropriate and meaningful way. Students must be attentive and actively participate in discussions, demonstrating their ability to listen, analyze, and contribute in a meaningful manner.
2. In Group Projects: Collaboration is a key component of any successful group project in university. All members must be able to clearly understand and interpret one another’s ideas, thoughts, and opinions in order to create a cohesive product. Being able to actively listen and understand what others are saying is vital for successful collaboration.
3. During Lectures: Lectures are an important part of university, and in order to absorb the material, students must have the ability to understand and process the instructor's words. This requires students to pay attention, ask questions where appropriate, and focus on the speaker in order to truly understand the lecture.
4. During Office Hours: Office hours are a great opportunity for students to ask questions, receive help, and build relationships with their instructor. Here, students must be able to listen to their instructor’s directions, understand what their instructor is saying, and respond appropriately.
5. During Presentations: Presentations are a common part of university assignments, and the ability to effectively present a topic to an audience is an important skill. Part of delivering a successful presentation requires the speaker to be able to accurately interpret the audience’s nonverbal communication and adjust the presentation accordingly.
Receptive communicative skills are essential in university settings as they enable students to effectively interact and collaborate with their peers and instructors. Students must practice these skills during class discussions, group projects, during lectures, office hours, and during presentations. By doing so, they will be able to better understand, process, and act upon the information they are presented with.