Who is the Communication Skills course suitable for?

The course is suitable for anyone who wants more grip on their own way of communicating. Think of professionals who come across differently from how they intend, who find it difficult to give or receive feedback, or who want to respond more firmly in conversations. No prior education is required. You work in a small group of no more than 8 participants, so there is room for personal learning objectives.

Which topics are covered during the Communication Skills course?

During the Communication Skills course you cover, among other things, the communication process, your personal communication style, primary and secondary reactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, giving and receiving feedback, and frames of reference. You work with models such as the qualities and pitfalls circle and the Shannon & Weaver communication model, always linked to practical situations from your own job.

Do I receive a certificate after the Communication Skills course?

Yes, after completing the Communication Skills course you will receive a Learnit certificate as proof of participation. This certificate shows that you attended the course in full and took an active part in the exercises, reflection and feedback sessions. You can use the certificate as a valuable addition to your CV or LinkedIn profile.

Is any prior knowledge required for the Communication Skills course?

No, no prior knowledge is required for the Communication Skills course. You can start straight away, whatever your education or work experience. A short intake interview takes place beforehand in which your learning objectives are discussed, so that the course matches your situation. The classroom course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn to communicate more effectively in work or private situations.

How is the Communication Skills course delivered and how large is the group?

You follow the Communication Skills course in a classroom setting, in a small group of no more than 8 participants. Beforehand there is an intake interview to make sure the course matches your learning needs. During the course you work with short theory sessions, active working methods, exercises and feedback. Because the group is small, you receive a great deal of personal attention and there is room for your own input in a safe atmosphere.

How do I know whether this course suits me, or whether I would be better off with a book on communication or an online course?

A book or e-learning course works perfectly well if you want to pick up theory about communication models, such as Shannon & Weaver or the circle of qualities and pitfalls. What that does not train is your own behaviour under pressure. This classroom course is experience-based: you practise in a group of no more than 8 participants using active working methods, receive direct feedback from the trainer and fellow participants, and see how you actually come across. Verbally, non-verbally and paralinguistically. Choose this course if you notice that you come across differently from how you intend, or if you find feedback and emotions in conversations difficult. Choose self-study if you are mainly looking for knowledge and already have a good insight into your own patterns of reaction.

What is the difference between this course and a course in conversation techniques or assertiveness?

Communication Skills is broader than a conversation techniques or assertiveness course. The focus is on self-insight and behaviour: how you come across, what your style is under pressure, and how you switch between primary and secondary responses. You work with models such as the core qualities and pitfalls quadrant and the Shannon & Weaver communication model. An assertiveness course focuses mainly on setting boundaries; a conversation techniques course on concrete skills such as probing or structuring. This course combines both angles and adds non-verbal and paralinguistic communication. The course is taught in a classroom setting in groups of no more than 8 participants. Choose this if you do not want to sharpen one sub-skill, but want to understand and adjust your entire communicative behaviour.

How quickly can I apply what I learn in this course in my conversations at work or in my private life?

You apply what you practise straight away. Often between day 1 and day 2. The course is built around active working methods: you practise with situations from your own working life, receive feedback from the trainer and the group (max. 8 participants) and reflect on what works. In between there is usually a period in which you try out what you have learned in your everyday conversations. On day 2 you discuss what you came up against. Skills such as active listening, giving feedback and consciously switching between reacting primarily and secondarily show results fairly quickly. Deeper patterns. Staying calm when something touches a nerve, for example. Questions take longer to practise. Compared with a one-off half-day workshop, this gives you more scope to genuinely change your behaviour rather than merely understand it.

Which communication models will I learn in this course, and are they genuinely usable in practice?

During the Communication Skills course you work with two main models: the core quadrant of qualities and pitfalls (by Daniel Ofman) and the communication model of Shannon & Weaver. You use the core quadrant to map out your own strengths, pitfalls, allergies and challenges. The Shannon & Weaver model helps you to recognise noise and misunderstandings in a conversation: sender, message, channel, receiver and feedback. In addition, verbal, non-verbal and paralinguistic communication are covered, as well as the distinction between reacting primarily and secondarily. The models serve as a framework. The emphasis is on practising with your own situations, not on memorising theory. In the classroom course (group of up to 8) you apply them directly to conversations from your own working or private context.

What happens if I notice during the course that I am affected or that emotions come up? Is there room for that?

Yes, room is deliberately made for that. The course is experience-based: you practise with situations that are relevant to you, and it is precisely the moments when you are affected that are instructive. One part of the programme covers the difference between primary and secondary reactions: learning to switch between an impulsive reaction and a conscious choice. The group is small (a maximum of 8 participants), which allows for a safe atmosphere in which to genuinely work on this. Beforehand, you have an intake interview in which you discuss your learning objectives, so the trainer knows what matters to you. This is not therapy; it remains a communication course focused on skills. You will, however, be given tools to stay calmer and clearer in conversations, even under pressure.

Does this course also work if I mainly communicate in English or in international teams?

The Communication Skills course is taught in Dutch and you carry out the exercises in Dutch. The underlying models. Such as the qualities and pitfalls circle, the communication model of Shannon & Weaver, active listening and the distinction between verbal, non-verbal and paralinguistic communication. Are language-independent and directly applicable in English-language or international conversations. What you learn about your own style, your response patterns under pressure and your frames of reference, you take with you into every language and culture. If you specifically want to practise in English or put cultural differences centre stage, a separate course in English business communication or intercultural communication makes more sense. This course (classroom, max. 8 participants) focuses on your communication behaviour, not on language proficiency.

What does the Communication Skills course cost and how long does it take?

You will find the current price at the top right of this course page, together with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.

Communication Skills course

Name: Communication skills
Price: 1250.0 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 8.5 (50 reviews)

You communicate all day long, but does your message really get across? In this course you gain insight into your style, pitfalls and response patterns. You work on communicating clearly, calmly and convincingly, without losing yourself.

Description

Communication plays a part in almost every contact, but by no means always goes the way you would like. In this course you gain insight into your own way of communicating and the effect it has on others.

You will work on your verbal, non-verbal and paralinguistic expression and discover how your frame of reference and automatic response patterns colour your conversations. You will explore the difference between primary and secondary responses, so that you can switch more consciously at the moments that matter.

The course combines short bursts of theory with plenty of practice, reflection and feedback. Accessible models, such as the qualities and pitfalls circle and the Shannon & Weaver communication model, help you recognise patterns and apply them directly to situations from your own working or private life.

An intake interview takes place beforehand in which your learning needs are discussed. You work in a small group of no more than eight participants, which allows for personal attention and a safe atmosphere in which to experiment.

Topics

During the course, topics covered include:

How does communication work? Insight into the communication process, noise, misunderstandings and the effect on the other person.
Your communication style: your core qualities, pitfalls and how you react under pressure.
Primary or secondary reactions: switching between impulsive and conscious reactions.
Verbal, non-verbal and paralinguistic communication: what you say, what you radiate and how your voice sounds.
Active listening: showing attention and understanding, even without words.
Giving and receiving feedback: clearly indicating your boundaries and being open to the other person.
Frames of reference and miscommunication: how differences in background and conviction colour a conversation.
Practical models: including the circle of qualities and pitfalls and the Shannon & Weaver communication model, always applied to your day-to-day practice.

Result

After this course you know how you come across and what you radiate, both verbally and non-verbally. You recognise your automatic response patterns and can consciously switch between them. You express yourself clearly and with confidence, and you give and receive feedback in a constructive way.

You understand how miscommunication arises and how to prevent it. You keep more control in conversations without losing your own character. Models such as the qualities and pitfalls circle and the Shannon & Weaver communication model give you practical support in doing so.

Target audience

This course is intended for anyone who wants to get a better grip on the way they communicate. You will probably recognise yourself in one or more of these points:

You come across differently from how you intend, you sometimes come on too strong or, conversely, hold back too much, you find it difficult to give or receive feedback, you want to deal better with emotions in conversations, you want to express yourself more firmly in work or private situations, you want more self-insight into how you communicate. And why.

Every participant brings their own learning objectives. You decide where you want to grow.

Teaching method

You work in a small group of no more than eight participants, so there is plenty of room for personal attention and your own input. Beforehand you have an intake interview, in which we clarify your learning needs.

During the course we alternate short pieces of theory with plenty of practice, reflection and feedback. You learn above all by doing: you experience situations, receive immediate feedback and discover what works for you. Models such as the qualities and pitfalls circle and the Shannon & Weaver communication model serve as a practical framework, always linked to your own practice.

Prior knowledge

You do not need any specific prior knowledge for this course. You do not need any experience with communication models or courses in this field. It does help if you are open to self-reflection and willing to practise with your own communication style.

Comments

No specific comments.

In-company

Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.

Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.

Request a quote

Language

The training is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer has a good command of English. English-language course material can be used. With a minimum enrolment of 3 participants, the training can also be given entirely in English.

Number of days:

2 days

Course times:

from 10 am to 5 pm

Study load:

14 hours

Education level:

This training is suitable for all levels.

Exemptions:

Exemptions do not apply to this course.

Preparation time:

No preparation time applies to this course.

Certificate:

At the end of the course, a certificate is issued as proof of participation.

The best training for you

At Learnit you will always find a course that takes you further. From (technical) IT skills to communication or personal leadership. You can also choose the training format that suits you best: a classroom course, a tailor-made course at your own office, an online course or an e-learning. We have the right course and the right format for everyone. Because learning in the way that suits you best delivers the best results.

Moving forward together

Taking a training course at Learnit means learning together. Together with your experienced trainer, together with your course group or together with your colleagues. And whether you take the training at home, at your office or at one of our training locations, we are always available to help you. To share our knowledge with you in a way that is genuinely useful to you. Getting further together through personal attention and understanding each other well; that is what we believe in.

Apply it directly in your work

Learning theory from a book that you can then hardly use in your work? Not at Learnit! Whichever training you take with us, you can put it to use at your workplace straight away. Because of the unique learning objectives you set together with the trainer at the start of the training. Because of the alternation between theory and (interactive) practical assignments. And by bringing the challenges you face in your daily work along to the training.