Communication Skills

Checklists And Templates For Improving Communicative English





1. Communicative English Practice Checklist

Listening Skills

  1. ? Listen to English podcasts or news daily (e.g., BBC, NPR, TED Talks).
  2. ? Practice understanding accents (British, American, Australian).
  3. ? Take notes while listening to improve comprehension.
  4. ? Use subtitles when watching movies or TV shows, then re-watch without them.

Speaking Skills?

  1. ? Practice daily conversations with friends or language partners.
  2. ? Use language apps like HelloTalk or Tandem to find practice buddies.
  3. ? Record yourself speaking and listen to improve pronunciation.
  4. ? Practice common phrases for introductions, requests, and polite expressions.

Reading Skills

  1. ? Read short articles, blogs, or news in English.
  2. ? Look up unfamiliar words and write them down.
  3. ? Practice summarizing what you read in your own words.
  4. ? Gradually move from simple texts to complex materials (e.g., novels).

Writing Skills?

  1. ? Write a short paragraph daily (e.g., journal entry, opinion).
  2. ? Use Grammarly or Hemingway App to check grammar and style.
  3. ? Write formal emails or letters to improve business English.
  4. ? Practice organizing your thoughts in bullet points before writing.

Pronunciation and Vocabulary

  1. ? Learn 5–10 new words daily and use them in sentences.
  2. ? Practice tongue twisters to improve fluency (e.g., “She sells sea shells…”).
  3. ? Use phonetic dictionaries or tools like Forvo to hear correct pronunciations.
  4. ? Focus on tricky sounds like “th” (think, this) and “v” (very, voice).

2. Templates for Daily Communicative English Practice

1. Conversation Template

Use this structure for everyday conversations:

| Step | Example |
|---------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Greeting | Hi, how are you today? |
| Small Talk | How was your weekend? |
| Main Topic | I wanted to ask about. or Can you help me with.? |
| Closing | It was great talking to you. Have a nice day! |


2. Polite Request Template

Formula:
Could/Can/Would + you + base verb + please?

| Situation | Example |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Asking for help | Could you help me with this project, please? |
| Borrowing something | Can I borrow your pen for a moment? |
| Requesting information | Would you mind telling me the time? |


3. Email Writing Template

| Section | Example |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Subject Line | Follow-Up on Our Meeting |
| Greeting | Dear [Name], or Hi [Name], |
| Opening | I hope this email finds you well. |
| Body | I’m writing to follow up on… or Regarding our previous discussion… |
| Closing | Looking forward to hearing from you. or Let me know if you have any questions. |
| Sign-Off | Best regards, [Your Name] |


4. Vocabulary Building Template

Daily Vocabulary Log:

| Word | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|-------------|-----------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Resilient | Able to recover quickly | She is resilient in the face of challenges. |
| Meticulous | Paying attention to detail | He is meticulous in his work. |
| Versatile | Adaptable to many things | This tool is very versatile for repairs. |


3. Role-Play Situations for Communicative English

Scenario 1: Introducing Yourself

| Step | Example |
|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Greeting | Hi, I’m Sarah. Nice to meet you. |
| Basic Info | I work as a marketing manager. |
| Ask About the Other Person | What about you? What do you do? |


Scenario 2: Asking for Directions?

| Step | Example |
|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Polite Start | Excuse me, could you help me? |
| Ask for Directions | Where is the nearest bus stop? |
| Clarify | Could you repeat that, please? |
| Thank You | Thank you so much for your help! |


Scenario 3: Making a Phone Call

| Step | Example |
|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Greeting | Hello, this is Alex. May I speak to [Name]? |
| State Purpose | I’m calling to inquire about… |
| Ask Questions | Could you tell me more about…? |
| Closing | Thank you for your time. Have a great day! |


4. Checklists for Specific Situations

Checklist: Attending a Job Interview

  1. ? Prepare answers to common questions (Tell me about yourself, What are your strengths?).
  2. ? Use STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for situational questions.
  3. ? Practice polite phrases:
  4. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
  5. Thank you for the opportunity.

Checklist: Giving a Presentation

  1. ? Start with an engaging opener: “Did you know that 60% of…”
  2. ? Use transitions: “Next, I’ll talk about…”
  3. ? End with a summary and a call to action: “To conclude, let’s…”

Checklist: Traveling Abroad

  1. ? Learn key phrases:
  2. Where can I find a taxi?
  3. Can I have the menu, please?
  4. ? Practice simple conversations at hotels or restaurants.
  5. ? Download offline translation tools or phrasebooks.

5. Tips for Improving Communicative English

  1. Be Consistent:
  2. Dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to practice.
  3. Imitate Native Speakers:
  4. Mimic intonation and phrases from podcasts or videos.
  5. Learn in Context:
  6. Use phrases in real-life situations instead of memorizing alone.
  7. Track Progress:
  8. Keep a journal of new vocabulary, phrases, or speaking experiences.

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