1ST Quarter_Week 8_Discussion Q1 & Q2

 Q1. Differentiate VERBAL and NON-VERBAL communication.

Verbal communication is conveyed by using words and is easier to understand when compared to non-verbal. It can either use writing or speaking as a medium (since the two of them use words to share messages). Some of the aspects to consider in performing this type of communication include appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and vividness. These aspects are necessary to prevent communication breakdown from happening between the sender and the receiver. These will help the sender to prevent themselves from offending, boring, or confusing the receiver. 

Non-verbal communication, on the other hand, is the use of body cues that don't involve words. Examples of this include hand gestures, body language, facial expressions, stance, appearance, etc. Unlike verbal communication, this type of communication makes the message of the sender more meaningful, which makes them create a greater connection to the receiver. One of its disadvantages is that not all body cues are easily noticeable by the reader. In turn, it can create a communication breakdown. Not only that, non-verbal communication is not that effective if it is not done face to face. 

Q2. How can you improve your communication with your classmates, family members, teachers, etc. using verbal and non-verbal communication?

Communication is the key to having a healthy relationship. By using verbal communication, expressing my thoughts and opinions will be much easier. This also applies to the other people around me. I will have the ability to advise them when they face trouble, and I will have the ability to ask them for advice too. Not only that, I can ask them the things I want to know about them, and vice versa. From this, our relationship's foundation becomes stronger as we get to know each other.

Of course, simply hearing but not listening is a recipe for miscommunication, while listening only to the things I want to hear is a recipe for disaster. I have to take into account that I shouldn't just listen to the things that I want to hear from what they're trying to say. I should face their criticism and opinions with an open mind and a grain of salt so that I can find more ways to better myself. 

I can show that I am listening by using non-verbal communication. The tone of my voice, the posture of my body, and even the expression on my face can tell them whether I am attentively listening to them on not. Not only that, paying close attention to other people's body cues has helped me notice their moods and feelings. Not all people share their feelings verbally, so this has helped me in comforting them (by giving hugs and patting their backs) whenever they feel troubled but can't say their problems out loud. In the end, with the use of non-verbal communication, I have been able to form deeper connections and empathy with my friends and family.