By Kekoh Joel in Bamenda
The nationwide training on effective communication, baptised ‘Becoming a Magic Communicator’, which started in Yaoundé, and then Buea, Dschang, wrapped up last August 30/31 at the University Campus of Bamenda. The training which aimed at enlightening young individuals, particularly university students on the importance of effective writing, public speaking and good practices for nation building, was an excellent training that offered knowledge on the necessary skill of communication, which cuts across every field of life.
The training began with an interesting opening which highlights a clear difference between two main words that are usually juxtaposed because of the thinking that they mean the same thing, talking ans saying. The trainer, who doubles as the secretary general of the association, Marks Abaiko, adumbrated the discrepancy between the two terms by making those present to understand that talking is an expression of words in a haphazard manner, and it’s always done in informal settings like the street, neighbourhood, “Njangi houses”, beer parlours, etc. He added that talking is done using the pidgin language; as a result, everyone can talk, not only because they have a mouth, but also because the language involved in talking doesn’t warrant academic certificates or academic experience before gaining knowledge in the use of the local language. On the other hand, saying is a formal way of expressing words in a well-arranged manner, usually forming ideas. It is commonly referred to as speaking, and it’s done in formal settings like classrooms, seminars and conferences, board meetings, interviews, etc. The languages utilised here are the official languages, that is, English or French.
The speaker, Marks Abaiko, emphasised the importance and necessity of being sayers or speakers but not talkers. “No one gets rewarded for talking”, Abaiko stated. It was echoed that most youth pass their time talking, but when it comes to saying, they go dumb, and that is why most of them have difficulties in expressing themselves out there in public gatherings when they are caught up in a scenario to address a group of people in formal settings.
Also, it was highlighted that most university students find difficulties in an open presentation or public speaking, not because they can’t but because they spend their entire time talking rather than saying. Abaiko advised the youth to learn how to participate or speak in formal settings in the following ways: (1) Do not leave without asking a question, (2) Do not leave without responding to a question, (3) Do not leave without giving a suggestion or a contribution. He recommends that youth shouldn’t leave a formal setting without making their voices heard by using either of the proposals. He insisted that if they do that, they will not only be provoking their mind to release hidden knowledge, but will also be gaining confidence gradually to speak in public gatherings each time they do so.
Abaiko stated that, “Most people fail in life not because they don’t know, but because they refuse to apply what they know.” He also spoke on the importance of using polite words in conversations. This, he explains, among others, is what will make the youth become pleasant personalities in the society and the nation. Such words, according to the speaker, include among others, ‘I desire to know’, ‘I request’, ‘I would like to know’, ‘May I’, ‘Can I’, etc. He added that instead of saying, “I want”, youth should rather say, “I wish”. He gave the importance of using these words by holding that such words are capable of attracting people’s attention because everyone likes someone who is polite. He added that the following words should be used in daily conversations: (1) Always say ‘please’ when requesting something, (2) Always say ‘thanks’ whenever a service has been rendered to you, whether free or paid, (3) Always ask ‘Why?’ And ‘what’ happened? (4) Always say ‘I am sorry’ when necessary.
After explaining the key importance of these words, which he terms ‘magic words’, Abaiko recommended the use of his book titled The Magic in Communication, which contains a detailed explanation of these words and more.
He epilogues his presentation by drawing the performance communication, which is public speaking. He adumbrated and expanded on the foundations of effective public speaking. The speaker also provided a complete rudiment of a public speaking presentation, which entails:
✅ Introduction: in which he talked about sharing a brief real-life story about the topic or a briefly researched story. After the introductory story, you introduce your topic, define key terms and introduce your body.
He interludes by opining that before mounting the stage, your appearance must be attractive and appealing.
✅Body: stating points and supporting them with a realistic story, quotations, or statistics.
✅Conclusion: He said it contains a brief summary of all you have presented and should end with either a quotation, guiding principle, or a short, impactful story. In addition to the above, he informed those present that a good public speaker must be eloquent and confident.
The training ended with a general agreement by all attendees to adopt polite and respectful communication in all settings and an encouragement from the speaker, Marks Abaiko, to practise questioning, appreciation, and humility.
At the close of the event, the trainees thanked the members of the association, notably the President and the supporters, noticeably Mr Mutuela Samuel and Mr Martin Ngwefuni, without forgetting the journalists from both the broadcast and print media who are bringing the activities of the Association into light.