Communication Skills for Discussions, Interviews and Presentations

Posted on Feb 14, 2026 in Primary Education

Practical 1: Group Discussion

Practical – 1 (Group discussion)

Objective

The objective of this practical is to understand the use of various soft skills in regard to group discussion.

Definition

A Group Discussion (GD) is an interactive process in which individuals share their ideas and opinions on a common topic. All participants are connected by one central idea, and each person presents their own perspective based on their understanding. A group discussion helps in evaluating several important skills of a candidate, such as:

  • Leadership Skills: The ability of a candidate to guide, influence, and coordinate within a group of unfamiliar people.
  • Communication Skills: The ability to express ideas clearly, listen attentively, maintain proper behavior, and communicate politely and confidently with others.

Do’s and Don’ts

  • Work on improving communication skills.
  • Dress properly and professionally.
  • Be confident while expressing your ideas.
  • Be punctual and manage time effectively.
  • Research the background of the interviewers or organization.
  • Raise your hand to present your opinion and wait for acknowledgment before speaking.
  • Do not shout or show impatience to speak.
  • If you are not familiar with the topic, avoid initiating the discussion; instead, listen to others and form your opinion gradually.

Conclusion

The conclusion of a group discussion is like wrapping up a presentation. It summarizes all the important points discussed and ensures clarity for everyone involved. It reflects active listening, respect for different viewpoints, and a clear understanding of the topic. A strong conclusion brings the discussion together positively and helps the group move forward with a unified and clear perspective.

Practical 2: Interview

Practical – 2 (Interview)

Objective

The objective of this practical is to improve communication skills required for professional conversations and to understand the importance of body language and behavior during interviews.

Definition

Kinesics plays an important role in communication through body movements and expressions. It is one of the most essential forms of non-verbal communication. The main components of kinesics include:

  • Body posture
  • Gestures
  • Facial expressions

An interview is defined as a formal conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. Interviews help in gaining knowledge about an individual’s abilities, perspectives, personality, and communication skills.

Do’s

  • Be polite and confident.
  • Maintain proper eye contact.
  • Sit properly and maintain good posture.
  • Be punctual and dress appropriately.
  • Listen carefully and respond clearly.

Don’ts

  • Do not interrupt the interviewer.
  • Do not arrive late for the interview.
  • Do not use inappropriate or informal language.
  • Do not fidget, slouch, or show nervous body movements.
  • Do not avoid eye contact or stare excessively.
  • Do not give unclear or misleading answers.
  • Do not use mobile phones during the interview.
  • Do not appear overconfident or arrogant.

Conclusion

An interview helps in understanding an individual’s overall communication skills, confidence level, and body language. Effective communication and proper body posture reflect confidence, professionalism, and a positive attitude in candidates.

Practical 3: Seminar, Workshop, Conference

Practical – 3 (Seminar, workshop, conference)

Objective

The objective of this activity is to improve communication skills through seminars and workshops, with an emphasis on paralinguistics and verbal communication.

Definition

Paralinguistics refers to the aspects of spoken communication that do not involve words but support and enhance verbal messages. These elements add meaning, emotion, and clarity to speech. Paralinguistics mainly includes vocal features such as pitch, rhythm, tone, intonation, and volume. It also involves non-verbal components like facial expressions, body language, hand gestures, and eye contact, which play a crucial role in effective communication.

Seminar – A seminar is mainly organized to share knowledge on a particular topic and focuses on theoretical understanding and discussion. Interaction is moderate, and the speaker is usually a subject expert or academic professional.

Workshop – A workshop is more practical in nature. Its main aim is to provide hands-on training and help participants develop specific skills. The interaction level is high because participants are actively involved, and sessions are conducted by trainers or facilitators.

Conference – A conference is a larger event where research ideas and developments are presented and discussed. It focuses on the exchange of knowledge and networking among professionals. Interaction is usually moderate to low and mostly takes place during question-and-answer sessions.

Do’s

  • Be confident and calm while speaking.
  • Maintain good body posture and stand straight.
  • Keep proper eye contact with the audience.
  • Listen carefully to questions before responding.
  • Prepare and practice the topic thoroughly in advance.

Don’ts

  • Do not exceed the allotted time limit.
  • Do not turn away from the audience or look down while speaking.
  • Do not mumble or speak too quickly.
  • Do not interrupt others during their presentation or while they are speaking.
  • Do not read directly from notes or presentation slides.
  • Do not use informal or inappropriate language.

Conclusion

Paralinguistics is essential for effective and impactful communication. It adds emotion, clarity, and depth to spoken messages, helping speakers connect better with their audience. Therefore, developing paralinguistic skills is an important step toward becoming a confident and effective communicator in both academic and professional environments.

Practical 4: Stress and Intonation

Practical – 4 (Stress and Intonation)

Objective

The objective of this activity is to help students learn how to plan and deliver effective presentations based on their purpose, whether the aim is to inform, persuade, or explain technical information.

Definition

Presentation

A presentation is a structured method of sharing information or ideas with an audience. Its purpose may be to inform, persuade, educate, or entertain, depending on the situation. Presentations can be delivered in various formats, such as face-to-face speeches, webinars, video conferences, or recorded sessions.

Stress

Stress refers to the extra emphasis placed on certain words or syllables during speech. This emphasis makes words sound louder, longer, or slightly higher in pitch. Proper use of stress helps highlight important points, guide the listener’s attention, and improve clarity, thereby preventing confusion and ensuring effective communication.

Intonation

Intonation is the pattern of rising and falling pitch in speech. It plays a vital role in expressing meaning, intention, and emotion. Intonation helps convey questions, statements, doubt, or enthusiasm. Using appropriate intonation makes speech sound natural, engaging, and easier for the audience to understand.

Do’s

  • Plan and organize the structure of the presentation carefully.
  • Keep the message clear, focused, and easy to understand.
  • Use suitable visual aids such as charts, diagrams, or images to support key points.
  • Maintain eye contact with the audience to build confidence and connection.
  • Speak at a steady pace and use pauses to emphasize important ideas.

Don’ts

  • Do not go off-topic or include unnecessary details that may confuse the audience.
  • Do not speak too quickly or rush through the presentation.
  • Do not read directly from slides or notes throughout the presentation.
  • Do not ignore audience reactions; adjust explanations if required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an effective presentation depends on clear planning, confident delivery, and proper use of stress and intonation. When ideas are well-organized and supported with appropriate visuals, the message becomes easier to understand. With regular practice, anyone can develop strong presentation skills and deliver impactful presentations.

Practical 5: Public Speaking

Practical – 5 (Public Speaking)

Objective

The objective of this activity is to enhance public speaking skills by using effective pauses, appropriate pacing, and rhythmic speech patterns to improve clarity, audience engagement, and overall understanding.

Definition

Public speaking is the organized process of addressing an audience with the aim of informing, persuading, entertaining, or inspiring them. It is an important communication skill that supports personal growth, professional success, and leadership development. Effective public speaking enables individuals to express ideas confidently, influence decision-making, and build credibility.

Types of Public Speaking

1. Informative Speaking: This type of speaking focuses on presenting facts, data, and explanations to increase the audience’s knowledge and understanding.

2. Persuasive Speaking: Persuasive speaking aims to convince the audience to accept a particular viewpoint, change their attitude, or take a specific action through logical reasoning.

3. Entertaining Speaking: This form of speaking engages the audience emotionally using humor, storytelling, or expressive delivery to create enjoyment.

4. Ceremonial Speaking: Ceremonial speaking is used during special occasions or formal events to express respect, appreciation, gratitude, or celebration.

Do’s

  • Prepare the speech thoroughly while keeping the audience’s needs in mind.
  • Practice tone, volume, and pauses to improve rhythm and emphasis.
  • Maintain eye contact to establish connection and trust.
  • Use gestures appropriately to support the message.
  • Adjust pace and tone according to audience response.

Don’ts

  • Do not speak too fast or too slowly.
  • Do not depend heavily on reading from notes or scripts.
  • Avoid monotone delivery; vary tone to maintain interest.
  • Do not ignore audience reactions.

Conclusion

Public speaking is an essential skill that improves with the proper use of rhythm, pauses, and pacing. These techniques help speakers communicate clearly, engage audiences effectively, and deliver messages in a meaningful and powerful manner.

Practical 6: Theme and Keynote Presentations

Practical – 6 (Theme / Keynote Presentation Based on Methodologies of Argumentation)

Objective

The objective of this activity is to develop effective argumentation skills by applying structured reasoning, logical presentation techniques, and supporting evidence to deliver persuasive and professional theme or keynote presentations.

Definition

Theme / Keynote Presentation

A theme or keynote presentation is a formal approach to communicating ideas with the purpose of informing, persuading, or inspiring an audience. It provides a structured platform to deliver key messages, influence perspectives, and guide listeners toward a clear understanding of a topic or vision. Such presentations enhance audience engagement and ensure that the central message leaves a lasting impact.

Argumentation

Argumentation involves presenting a clear claim supported by logical reasoning, credible evidence, and thoughtful analysis. Effective argumentation enhances clarity, credibility, and audience trust by demonstrating that ideas are well-researched and fact-based. It helps maintain a balanced tone, supports emotional appeal with logic, and prepares the speaker to address potential questions or objections confidently.

Instructions

Do’s:

  • Conduct thorough research before developing your arguments.
  • Organize points in a clear, logical, and structured manner.
  • Use credible, accurate, and up-to-date sources of information.

Don’ts:

  • Do not present emotional, biased, or unsupported statements.
  • Avoid interrupting or disrespecting opposing viewpoints.
  • Do not overload the presentation with unnecessary or irrelevant information.

Conclusion

Developing strong argumentation skills enables theme and keynote presenters to communicate ideas clearly, logically, and professionally. When arguments are well-organized, supported by valid evidence, and mindful of counterarguments, presentations become more persuasive, credible, and impactful.

Practical 7: Individual Speech Delivery and Conferencing

Practical – 7 (Individual Speech Delivery / Conferencing with Skills to Respond to Interjection Questions)

Objective

The objective of this activity is to train students to begin a speech confidently, handle interjection questions effectively, and conclude the speech in a clear and impactful manner.

Definition

Interjection: An interjection is a short and sudden expression or word used to convey emotions such as excitement, surprise, joy, or frustration. It is not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence but adds emotional emphasis.

Interruption: An interruption occurs when the flow of speech or conversation is broken intentionally or unintentionally. Interruptions can disrupt communication and require effective handling to maintain clarity and control during a discussion or presentation.

Instructions

Do’s:

  • Be respectful and attentive while communicating.
  • Listen actively and allow others to finish speaking.
  • Use polite and clear language to express your ideas.
  • Stay focused on the topic during discussions and responses.

Don’ts:

  • Do not interrupt or speak over others while they are talking.
  • Avoid using offensive, aggressive, or disrespectful language.
  • Do not go off-topic or dominate the conversation unnecessarily.

Conclusion

Through this practical, students learn that effective speech delivery and conferencing require the ability to manage interjections and interruptions confidently. Clear responses supported by logic and evidence, along with a respectful tone, promote positive interaction. Strong communication skills and self-confidence enable individuals to speak effectively and handle challenges with ease.

Practical 8: Comprehension Skills (Reading and Listening)

Practical – 8 (Comprehension Skills Based on Reading and Listening Practicals Using a Model Audio)

Objective

The objective of this activity is to improve students’ listening skills and provide opportunities to practice authentic vocabulary and commonly used expressions.

Definition

Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand written text and connect its meaning with prior knowledge. It is a complex process that involves skills such as word recognition, language understanding, fluency, and decoding. Strong reading comprehension is essential for success in academics, professional life, and everyday communication. These skills can be improved by reading material that matches the reader’s level of understanding and by practicing active reading strategies.

Listening Comprehension

Listening comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret spoken language. It involves recognizing speech sounds, understanding word meanings, sentence structure, and using linguistic knowledge effectively. Listening skills are used in various situations, such as understanding stories, following instructions, or forming mental images while listening to audio or watching animated content.

Do’s and Don’ts for Reading Comprehension

Do’s:

  • Preview the text before reading.
  • Read actively with focus and attention.
  • Break the text into smaller sections for better understanding.
  • Take sufficient time to comprehend the content.

Don’ts:

  • Do not skip the introduction or conclusion.
  • Do not multitask while reading.
  • Do not ignore unfamiliar words.
  • Do not read passively.

Do’s and Don’ts for Listening Comprehension

Do’s:

  • Take notes while listening.
  • Practice active listening.
  • Ask questions when clarification is needed.
  • Listen carefully for key ideas and details.

Don’ts:

  • Do not interrupt the speaker.
  • Do not lose focus or zone out.
  • Do not multitask while listening.
  • Do not ignore non-verbal cues.

Conclusion

This activity helped students develop better focus and understanding while reading and listening. By practicing effective strategies such as active reading, note-taking, and attentive listening, students can improve their ability to grasp information accurately. These skills support better learning, clearer communication, and greater confidence in both academic and everyday situations.