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SRI VENKATESWARA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

(Autonomous)
Karakambadi Road, Tirupati – 517507

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH LAB

I B.Tech. I Year I Semester

3. Communication Skills 4. Role Play or

& JAM Conversational Practice

3. 1. Communication Skills

COMMUNICATION

The root of the word “communication” in Latin is “communicare”, which

means to “share”. Communication is defined as the process of
understanding and sharing meaning.

DEFINITIONS OF COMMUNICATION:

1. Communication is a transfer of information from one person to

another, whether or not it elicits confidence but the information
transferred must be understandable to the receiver- “G.G.BROWN”

2. Communication is the intercourse by words, letters or messages” -

FRED G.MEYER

SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNICATION

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TYPES OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Verbal communication includes spoken and written words to convey

information. It's a vital skill for developing mutual understanding, trust,
decision-making, and effective problem-solving. The ability to express
thoughts respectfully influences learning and critical thinking, shaping
how we perceive and process information and interact with others.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Non-verbal communication is the transmission of messages or signals

through a nonverbal platform such as eye contact, facial expressions,
gestures, posture, and the distance between two individuals.

INTRAPERSONAL SKILLS

Intrapersonal (“within the self”) skills are the internal abilities and
behaviours that help you manage emotions, cope with challenges, and
learn new information. These skills, which relate to emotional intelligence,
include things like self-confidence, resilience, self-discipline, persistence,
openness to new ideas, the ability to overcome distractions, and time
management.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Interpersonal skills involve the ability to communicate and build

relationships with others. Often called ‘people skills’, they tend to
incorporate both your innate personality traits and how you’ve learned to
handle certain social situations. Effective interpersonal skills can help you
during the job interview process and can have a positive impact on your
career advancement.

Some examples of interpersonal skills include active listening, teamwork,

responsibility, dependability, leadership, motivation, flexibility, patience,
and empathy.
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3. 2. JAM (JUST A MINUTE)

What is JAM?

JAM is the acronym for JUST A MINUTE. It is one of the rounds in some
interviews. The jam session is organized by the Company recruitment
board for the candidates who have attended the Job interview. By
arranging the JAM SESSION, Interviewers will have the chance to check
the Talent and some of the skills of the Candidates:
 General Knowledge

 Self-confidence

 Communication skills

 Spoken English & Fluency

 The flow of thoughts & also the speech.

 Spontaneity

 Time management

 Sense of Humor

Follow the below list and make your JAM Session perfect.
DO’s in JAM session:
 Put a smile on your face until your session is finished.
 Don’t be nervous while presenting the Session.
 Explain the JAM Topic in simple and clear language.
 Present the topic with brief details.
 Convey in an audible and clear voice
 Give the presentation with correct grammar.
 Choose a topic related to Social, Political, Economical, Legal/
Language, a n d T e c h n i c a l ( S P E L T ) .
 Maintain a positive outlook.
 Finish with the Thanking note.

Don’ts in JAM session:

 Don’t be blabber and also don’t get nervous while participating in
the JAM session.

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 Don’t present with grammatical mistakes.

 Don’t give too much gap for words and don’t take much time to
express.
 Try to avoid the Cliches.
 Don’t beat the bush.
 Don’t give long pauses.
 Don’t use the mother tongue in the middle of the topic. Try to
maintain simple and clear English words.

How to practice for JAM

 Initially choose some SIMPLE JAM Topics such as Car, Bike, etc.,
and practice itfor some time. Prefer short speech topics.
 Discuss the JAM topic with your friends, family, etc., and also
practice in front of the Mirror then you can also notice your facial
expressions.
 Now, you can take some essential topics like current affairs or any
other current political issues raised.
 Now, check out your grammar and as well as Spoken skills too.
 Daily practice a minimum of 10-20 topics per day.
 Follow the DOs which is mentioned above.
 Speak simple English and present your topic in a straight manner.
 Daily watch English channels Think in English, Speak in English with
others, and make it a habit then you will be good in English as well
as communication skills.
Benefits of Conducting JAM Activities
 Builds Self-Confidence − Being able to deliver quality content in
front of an audience without prior preparation will boost your
confidence.
 Improves your oral communication skills − In today's market,
communication skills are the most sought-after soft skill. With good
oral communication, you can deliver your ideas and captivate the mind
of the listener.
 Helps in time management − JAM sessions are all about time
management. If you speak for more than a minute or less than a
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minute, it means you were not able to plan your tonality, speed, and
content properly.
 Helps in facing interviews and large audiences − If you can
master the JAM session, you should be ready to say goodbye to stage
fright and public speaking issues. JAM is the ultimate test of your
speaking skills.
 Helps in developing your presentation skills − Hand gestures,
good communication skills, and oral communication all aid in giving
impactful presentations in the corporate world.
 Shows an individual's knowledge − Because you are given the
topic only 30 seconds before the JAM session, it helps the audience
gauge the individual's knowledge. An individual who is not abreast with
current affairs, industry knowledge, or domain knowledge will ride in a
circle or run off track.
 Assists the speaker in developing problem-solving
abilities − JAM sessions are nothing but a test of your problem-
solving skills. You have limited time, knowledge, and resources for
delivering good content.

Topics for Just a Minute (JAM)

 State of the Indian Economy  Politics
 Your view on Ukraine and the  Mobiles
Russian war  Corruption
 How do you plan to combat air  Self-confidence
pollution?  Role Model
 Life is a cupcake, highlighter,  Trees
pen, and others  Memorable day
 Laughter is the best medicine.  Review of a movie
 Happiness  Social Networking
 Literacy  Favorite sport
 Education  Impact of Startups
 Women's role in our country  Benefits of Solar Tree
 Wireless Charging  Life Skills
 Education stress  Digital pen
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4. Role Play or Conversational Practice

What is Role-play?

Role-play is any speaking activity when you put yourself into somebody
else's shoes or stay in your shoes but put yourself into an imaginary
situation!

Imaginary people - The joy of role-play is that students can 'become'

anyone they like for a short time! The President, the Queen, a
millionaire, a pop star …….. the choice is endless!

Imaginary situations - Functional language for many scenarios can be

activated and practiced through role-play. 'At the restaurant', 'Checking
in at the airport', and 'Looking for lost property' are all possible role-
plays.

The Goal of conducting Role-play

Role-playing allows students to grapple with material in simulated real-
world environments. It forces students to apply their knowledge, reflect
on key issues, and consider alternate viewpoints.

Role-playing is a learning structure that allows students to immediately

apply content as they are put in the role of a decision-maker who must
decide on a policy, resource allocation, or some other outcome. This
technique is an excellent tool for engaging students and allowing them to
interact with their peers as they try to complete the task assigned to
them in their specific role. This work can be done in cooperative groups
and/or students can maintain the persona of their role throughout the
class period. Students are more engaged as they try to respond to the
material from their character's perspective.

Along with being fun, using imagination in their play improves their
creativity and promotes better performance and it also helps them
develop a strong problem-solving approach in dealing with issues. This is
because it allows them to take up characters that act out real-life roles.

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Types of role play:

1. Occupational
 Doctors, police, teachers, or even builders are some of the play roles
that encourage empathy among children.

2. Fantasy
 Students are fascinated by superhero and fantasy characters such as
unicorns, dinosaurs, princess tales, or even Superman because of their
superpowers. When they wear the capes or princess dress aprons it
helps them identify good from bad while encouraging bravery.

3. Real Life Situations

 Playing out real-life situations such as camping or construction allows
kids to learn about their real environment and this helps them develop
physical mannerisms and communication skills.

Why use role-play?

 Learning takes place when activities are engaging and
memorable.
 It's fun and motivating.
 To Encourage Creativity and Imagination
 To Enrich Language and Enhance Communication Skills
 To Develop Social and Emotional Skills
 To Enhance Physical Development
 To learn how to apply content in a relevant, real-world context.
 To upgrade decision-making skills that might let the students diverge
from the confines of their normal self-imposed limitations or
boundaries.
 To make the students transcend and think beyond the confines of the
classroom setting.
 To prepare the students to express themselves in a more forthright
way
 To get to know the outside world by offering a much wider range of
language opportunities

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Role Playing At-A-Glance

 Ensure that you have t h e required background information to
complete the task
 Create a “real-world” environment (physical location, attire, tone)
 Clearly define each participant’s role
 Ensure all the participants have t h e required information (or
change the information as the role-play evolves)
 Keep track of time after reflection
 Make sure each participant has a clearly defined task. If you are
working in groups, establish how everyone should work together.
 Have a moment to get feedback on your performance, either from the
class as a whole, their partner/group, or from the instructor directly.

Role Play Do's and Don'ts

Rules for students on what to do when they approach a role-play

situation
 Read the role-play CAREFULLY.

 Determine what role YOU are to play and what role the JUDGE will
play.

 Check over the performance indicators carefully to see how you can
INCORPORATE them into the role-play.

 Decide on the best organization for the role-play: (What needs to be

said first, second, etc.?)

 Write enough details to make your role-play strong.

 Present all role-plays enthusiastically!

 Ask your judge if he/she has questions.

 Practice!!!

Most common mistakes

 Does not read the role-play correctly.

 Does not interpret the role-play correctly.

 Role-plays the wrong person: for example, may role-play the employee
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rather than the manager.

 Does not understand some of the performance indicators well enough.

 Forgets to cover one or more of the performance indicators.

 Organizes the presentation poorly.

 Does not give adequate details.

 Does not keep track of time when preparing or presenting. The student
may be only halfway through when the time limit is called.

 Does not practice!!!!

Examples of Role Play Exercises

 Interview practice—In preparation for career interviews, students
can assume the role of the interviewer and/or the interviewee.
 Marketing—In preparation for a class presentation, students can
assume the position of a sales representative and sell a product.
 Retailing—To help prepare students for a guest speaker in the
merchandising course, students can play the role of sales manager
and sales representative to gain better insight into the responsibilities
of these positions.
 Counseling—In preparing for clinical practice, students can role-play
a family therapist whose client has revealed she has committed a
criminal act.
 Teaching—In preparation for a job fair, students can role-play the
teacher and the student, the administrator and the student, or the
teacher and a parent.
 Debates—As a spontaneous exercise, the instructor has students
briefly prepare arguments for and arguments against positions on a
topic such as We should ban cars from city centers; Children should
be allowed mobile phones in school; Sports stars are bad role models
for young people.

Exercise Situations:
1. Plan a Role play between a father and a daughter/son on
complaining about the rash driving of his/her brother who caused
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an accident.

2. Every day one student or the other in your hostel is losing

something. Rise a complaint about this theft to the hostel warden.

3. Organize a Role play between a student and a librarian on how to

get membership in the library.

4. You have applied for a job. You are waiting for your turn for the
interview. Talk with another person who has also applied for the job
and is waiting for his or her turn.

5. Organize a role-play between CM and journalist.

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