“It's the emptiest and yet the fullest of all human messages: 'Good-bye.' - Kurt Vonnegut "
The final post, there’s a sense of sadness as
I write this. Completing this marks the closure of this module. Throughout the
whole 12 weeks of being exposed to various communications skills I can confidently
say that I came out learning skills that are relevant and applicable to the
real world.
For this post I will focus on oral presentation in both
presentation and interview. Compared to the first presentation that I did,
which is the peer teaching, there is a difference in terms of my presentation
style. I used to rely on cue cards, a lot. That is because initially I felt
that there is a need for cue cards since presentation is just about delivering
the message exactly as how I want the reader to receive it. However after 12
weeks, I realize that presentation is not just about delivering the message. It
is about so much more, it includes the nonverbal means of communication
together with the emotional aspect related to the presentation topic.
I must admit, the thought of presenting without the cue card
was very daunting initially since I am afraid that I will end up staring
awkwardly at the audience. However, as I practiced my presentation for the
project presentation I realize that if I know the content at the back of my
hand, presenting without a cue card is possible. Presenting without a cue card
also gives me freedom to make use of my hand to have hand gestures and to have
better eye contact with the audience since I do not need to focus all of my
attention on the cue card. I can also be aware of my body language such as my
legs position. I used to criss-cross my legs as I give a speech because it
seems natural for me to do so. However this time, I manage to prevent myself
from doing so since I am able to be more aware of my body language. I
successfully uncrossed my legs as I crossed it.
Also, the common problem of stage fright continues to haunt
me as I speak to a room filled with people. I feel that by practising what I am
about to say around 100 times before I present helps. (okay maybe I exaggerated
a little..) In this case practise certainly makes almost perfect!
The interview is like the Q&A part of the oral
presentation. The reason why I said oral presentation includes interview as well because I feel that during an interview, you are
actually doing a mini presentation about yourself. The only different would be
that you present without any powerpoints or script to guide you before and
during the whole process. It is crucial to apply the skills taught for oral
presentation to the interview because the interviewer will observed your
nonverbal communications including your facial expression. This has indeed
helped me since throughout the semester I went for numerous interviews which
required me to put what I learn to the test.
Even though I am just a year one taking this module, I feel
that it benefited me a lot as the skills gained are applicable in every presentation
or interview that I am expected to go through. In a way, I am thankful that I
got this module because it taught me so many skills that are applicable from my
university life onwards (not like some
modules.. *cough cough*). I guess now I can say that I am a professional communicator!
I am thankful of the friendship I made in class especially
to my group mates whom I worked with both for peer teaching and the project. It
has been a fun and exciting 12 weeks with you all and I wish all of you the
best in your future endeavours.
And of course a huge thank you to Madam Fazilah, your
constant guidance and teaching is what mold us to be able to communicate
professionally. Every lesson never fail to be relaxing in a good way as we are
able to enjoy and understand what is being taught. It is going to be hard to
find another module that will enable me to enjoy myself as I attend every lesson.
Well, I have another three more years to find something similar but I doubt I
will be able to!
