Teaching communication skills

Communication difficulties and difficulties managing conflict with friends, family or teachers can be important factors in contributing to a young person’s drug or alcohol use. 

It goes without saying then that learning effective ways of communicating can go a long way in helping a young person to utilise strengths and resources available to them.  

Effective communication comes from practice. As a well-being coordinator or teacher you are in an ideal position to role-play, to practice and to rehearse effective methods of communication with a young person. 

One communication technique you can practice with a young person is suited for when trying to find a solution or compromise to problems or disagreements. It involves applying a particular structure to communication. When disgreements or potential conflict arise it suggests students learn to use: 

• An understanding statement – This means they understand the needs of the other person 

• A partial responsibility statement – This indicates they are willing to accept at least part of the responsibility for creating and/or solving the problem. 

• An offer of help – which is a direct offer of something that they can do to help solve the problem. 

Here is an example of how a student might use this technique in situations that normally end in conflict. 

 ”I understand you needed me to complete my homework. I probably could have told you earlier that I didn’t know how to do it. Can I get some help from you and do some of it tonight?” 

Effective ways of communicating can go a long way in helping a young person utilising strengths and resources available to them. 

As well as practicing communication techniques remind a student to: 

NOT BE TOO HARD ON THEMSELVES 

Communication skills often go out the window in conflict situations. When strong emotions are involved anyone can struggle to stay calm and communicate well.   

CHOOSE A GOOD TIME TO TALK 

Trying to talk to someone when you or they are already upset is probably not a great idea. We don’t really communicate that well if we are experiencing really strong emotions. Choose a time when both parties are calm and when there is time to listen to each other properly. 

BE AWARE OF THEIR BODY LANGUAGE 

Not all communication is verbal or about the words used. Gentle tone, soft eye contact and a relaxed body posture promote a relaxed interaction. 

PLAN WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY 

Rehearse what they want to say and how they will say it. 

BE PREPARED FOR DISAGREEMENT 

Disagreement doesn’t need to mean conflict or that communication was poor. Even disagreement can strengthen a relationship if both points of view are heard.