Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, Northern Uganda
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Digital careers - Beginner

Effective Communication and Public Speaking

Speak, write and listen clearly at work and in life: emails, WhatsApp, meetings, difficult conversations, customers…

About this course

Almost every job, business and relationship depends on communication. This course teaches the everyday skills that make people understand you, trust you and want to work with you: listening, speaking, writing, handling feedback and conflict, and speaking in front of a group. It is written for students, graduates, job seekers, employees, small business owners and volunteers.

You will start with how communication works and why messages fail, then practise clear speaking and writing, including emails, WhatsApp messages at work, reports and minutes. You will learn phone and video call manners, conversation and networking skills, persuasion, feedback and calm handling of difficult conversations. You will also look at meetings, teamwork and the mixing of English, Luganda, Swahili and local languages in East Africa.

The last modules cover public speaking essentials (speech types, structure, storytelling, voice and questions), social media etiquette, spotting misinformation, customer communication and complaint handling, and a personal improvement plan. Every lesson has realistic weak-versus-strong examples and a practical task. For deeper work on slides and stage fright, take the companion course Presentation Skills and Confidence.

What you will learn

  • Explain the communication process and name common barriers to understanding
  • Use verbal, non-verbal and written communication to match your message to your listener
  • Listen actively and ask questions that bring out useful answers
  • Structure what you say and write using point, reason and example in plain language
  • Write clear emails, WhatsApp messages, reports and minutes in a professional tone
  • Handle phone and video calls, small talk, networking and introductions with confidence
  • Give and receive feedback and manage difficult conversations and conflict calmly
  • Run and contribute to meetings, and communicate respectfully across languages and cultures
  • Prepare and deliver a short speech, answer questions and respond well to customers and complaints

Course content

6 modules · 19 lessons · 5 h 40 min · 7 quizzes

Module 1: The foundations of communication3 lessons

Understand how a message travels, the three channels we use, and how to listen and question well.

  1. How communication works, and why it fails 15 min
  2. Verbal, non-verbal and written communication 15 min
  3. Active listening and asking good questions 15 min
  4. Quiz: 7 questions
Module 2: Speaking and writing clearly4 lessons

Structure your speech, write professional emails, WhatsApp messages and reports, and handle phone and video calls.

  1. Clear speaking: point, reason, example 15 min
  2. Writing professional emails 20 min
  3. WhatsApp at work, reports and minutes 20 min
  4. Phone and video call etiquette 15 min
  5. Quiz: 7 questions
Module 3: Conversations, persuasion and conflict3 lessons

Start conversations and networks, persuade honestly, give and receive feedback, and handle difficult talks.

  1. Conversation skills, small talk and introductions 15 min
  2. Persuasion, giving and receiving feedback 20 min
  3. Difficult conversations and conflict 20 min
  4. Quiz: 7 questions
Module 4: Teams, meetings and cultures3 lessons

Run and join meetings well, communicate in teams, and respect language and culture in East Africa.

  1. Running and contributing to meetings 20 min
  2. Communicating well in teams 15 min
  3. Languages, culture and respect in East Africa 20 min
  4. Quiz: 7 questions
Module 5: Public speaking essentials3 lessons

Choose and structure a speech, tell stories, use your voice and handle questions. For slides and stage fright, see the Presentation Skills course.

  1. Speech types and a simple structure 20 min
  2. Storytelling, voice and delivery 20 min
  3. Handling questions and acting as MC 20 min
  4. Quiz: 7 questions
Module 6: Digital, customer and personal communication3 lessons

Communicate well on social media, spot misinformation, serve customers and complaints, and build your own improvement plan.

  1. Social media communication, etiquette and misinformation 20 min
  2. Customer communication and handling complaints 20 min
  3. Your communication improvement plan 15 min
  4. Quiz: 7 questions
Final exam

30 questions. Pass with 70% or more to earn your certificate.

What you need

  • A smartphone or computer for the practice tasks
  • No experience needed

Further reading

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