What Are The Four Macro Communication Skills?

Speaking

• This is one of the main macro forms of communication as it is physically interacting with another person through language. This can sometimes form a barrier if you have a conversation between two people that speak different languages. However, it is the most common form of communication.

Listening

• This form of communication consists of a number of ways of listening. They are known as passive, active and competitive. Passive refers to a form of listening that aims to take in everything a person is saying however, the listener may not want to engage in any form of response. Active listening is when a person is genuinely interested in hearing what someone has to say and they also interact by asking questions and acknowledging what is being said. Competitive listeners are people that are not really focused on what the person is saying, however they are more concerned with what they are going to say in response.

Writing

• This type of communication arguably takes the longest to get the hang of. It is not an instant means of communicating for everyone and this is why it is taught at a young age through schools. There are a variety of types of writing whether it be stories and novels or formal letter writing.

Reading

• Reading is again a skill that is taught at a very young age as it is necessary for learning development and vocabulary. Initially children are taught to read phonetically which displays how the words should sound despite having a different spelling. This is also vital when people start to learn a new language.

Macro skills refer to the primary, key, main, largest etc skill set relative to a particular context. Macro skills are most commonly referred to in English language and refer to listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Listening;
This is a communication technique that requires the listener to understand, interpret and evaluate what he or she hears. Listening effectively improves personal relationships through the reduction of conflict and strengthens cooperation through a collective understanding.

Writing;
Writing is the representation of language in text form. Its needed for transmitting information effectively , keeping records of information and experiences, and relating information from user to user. Writing is the creation of meaning, where the information derived from it can then be passed on.

Reading;
Reading is a means of language acquisition in the communicative process. Reading comprehension involves decoding symbols with the intention of deriving meaning from the text. This can then be used for further processes such as sharing knowledge, self development or simply relaxation and escapism into the realms of fiction. Reading can also significantly improve other micro skills such as spelling, evaluative processes and the imagination.

Speaking;
Speaking is vocalization of human communication. Being able to iterate an idea, concept or opinion etc through speech is essential in the communicative process. Being able to relate what you are thinking in effective, concise and direct manner allows you to present communicate effectively with others in a variety of situations, this avoids elements of confusion that may lead to conflict, allows for self development and growth ( especially if your idea is presented effectively in the workplace) and can help provide an element of control to any given situation by self management.

The four macro skills in communication or language are reading, writing, speaking and listening. These can be further divided into receptive (reading and listening) and productive skills (speaking and writing.) Within each skill there are sub skills, for example there is reading for gist and for specific information, process writing and product oriented writing etc.

Talking

Listening, speaking, reading and writing