Why teach oral communication skills?

The benefit of learning to speak confidently at the youngest possible age has been drilled into me regularly over my lifetime. Recent events over the past few years have reignited for me the vital importance of teaching these skills to younger generations. With a greater movement towards discussion-based lessons in classrooms it is surprising the lack of willingness many students still have to lead discussion with peers or ask the teacher questions. Despite life being a continuous conversation, most people still dread giving presentations, refuse to ask questions in front of others, and don’t like the sound of their voice.

Unfortunately, verbal communication in both primary and secondary education appears undertaught in New Zealand. Many students continue to leave school or university with impressive qualifications, yet still struggle to verbally express themselves clearly and confidently. Many students are never taught how to use their voice, gestures and the language to use when speaking. Verbal communication seems a particularly vital skill for the current generation who can have many followers on Instagram but have difficulty finding the time to get to know others on a deeper level.

Communication is not a skill that we should stop learning once we’ve learnt how to talk. There is so much more that should be explored, from telling a compelling story to confidently presenting an idea in front of an audience. These are skills that do not just appear, they need to be taught and shaped. Communication is a complex skill and one that sets us up for success in so many other areas of life. The sooner it is mastered the easier it becomes. Learning how to relate to an audience, adapt to situations, appear trustworthy and convincing, make a point clear and memorable, gain influence, and defend oneself against accusation may just be some of the most important lessons they could learn. The problem is not so much that students are incapable of doing these tasks, but that they are not used to and afraid of doing them in more formal and demanding situations, especially with limited preparation. So, the complexity of mastering the art of communication is much more than simply being able to talk.

Being encouraged to develop good communication skills at an early age has no doubt been of great benefit throughout my life. I have needed to coach people, give verbal feedback, interview, build connections with people from different backgrounds, present information in an understandable way, and convey the feeling I know what I am doing in new and strange situations. These are some of the most crucial skills I have strengthened over the past several years. A background in public speaking and performance certainly gave me the inspiration to find my voice, and it is my hope it can do the same for you.