Why and how can international students' communication skills be improved? Undoubtedly, moving abroad to pursue your education may be a thrilling experience, but it can also be filled with many hurdles and hardships.

Many people, particularly the parents of overseas students, think that these issues are caused by awkward social situations, cultural misunderstandings, or even a lack of English proficiency. But in reality, it's more about speaking with confidence, controlling your body language, and using your voice to make a point or start a good conversation with someone.

One of the biggest difficulties that international students, especially those who are there to earn a university degree, experience is speaking with confidence. For international students to complete their education and enter the workforce as productive individuals who also contribute positively to the economy, they must develop two essential life skills: the art of communication and storytelling.

Human contact is fundamentally based on communication, which helps to bridge differences and promote understanding. Learning effective communication techniques is essential for foreign students who travel for their education. It also helps them succeed in their new environments. Beyond linguistic skills, effective communication includes cultural understanding, active listening, and adaptability. We'll explore the crucial elements of communication skills in this blog post so that overseas students can develop them for both academic and social success.

How can we help overseas students with their communication skills?

Parents must make sure that their college- and university-bound children are engaging in the following to promote the development of important life skills, particularly the capacity for confident communication:

1.       Keeping a close ear out:

Being a good listener will help your child develop their communication skills. For instance, they should pay close attention to body language, intonation, and the general tone of voice when speaking to their university teachers, classmates, and fellow students. By listening in this way, they will be able to think clearly and react with assurance and the right amount of voice control.

• Active listening strategies include:

• Maintain eye contact with the speaker:  To demonstrate your attention and participation.
• Refrain from Interrupting: Give the other person a chance to finish their thought before reacting. This demonstrates that you value their perspective.
• Ask for an explanation: If there is something you are unclear about, ask for an explanation. This not only helps your comprehension but also shows that you're engaged in the talk.

2.       Social Interaction

Without a doubt, the ability to interact with others actively is one of the most important talents for communication. The majority of international students are reserved and fear being assessed as soon as they speak. Describe to your youngster that while speaking, it's acceptable to flinch or use slurs but that they should never avoid interacting with others. They will have some fantastic opportunities to participate in engaging, thought-provoking, and educational debates, which can help them become more confident and even develop their storytelling skills so they can communicate their points more effectively.

• Best Practices for Social Communication

• Professional Emails: Follow correct email etiquette while talking with professors, peers, or possible employers. Use courteous language and concise subject lines.
• Online Professionalism: Online professionalism requires being aware of your online footprint. Employers frequently look at candidates' social media sites, so make sure your online persona matches the professional one you want to project.
• Tools for collaboration: Get to know online tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams that make it easy to collaborate on tasks and projects.

3.            Language Proficiency

The foundation of communication is language. Overseas students must become fluent in the language of their host nation. This calls for knowledge of idiomatic idioms, nuance, and colloquialisms in addition to proper grammar. Having a second language makes it easier to participate in conversations, social interactions, and networking opportunities.

• Strategies for Improving Language Proficiency:

•  Become Fully Immersed: Take part in the language as much as you can. Read newspapers, converse with native speakers, and watch regional TV programs.
•  Language Classes: Enroll in seminars or courses that are geared toward non-native speakers. Practical communication skills that are necessary for daily life are the main focus of these programs.
• Language learning applications and resources: These include interactive courses, vocabulary-building activities, and real-life scenarios that should be used.

4.       Cultural Intelligence:

Culture and communication are closely related. In certain cultures, what might be regarded as courteous or proper may be viewed differently in others. To successfully navigate varied social environments, international students must develop cultural awareness.

•    Cultural Awareness Strategies:

•  Research: Spend some time learning about the cultural customs, beliefs, and etiquette of the host nation. You may steer clear of misunderstandings and potential problems by having this understanding.
• Observe and Adjust: Take note of how the populace communicates and interacts in the area. This observation can shed light on suitable discussion topics, gestures, and communication styles.
• Clear your Inquiries: When in doubt regarding cultural norms, don't be afraid to ask inquiries. Most people will respect your efforts to pick up new skills and adapt.

5.       Overcome Communication Apprehension:

Communication apprehension, or the fear of speaking in front of others or strange situations, affects many international students, regardless of their language competence. Forging deep friendships and getting over this anxiety is essential.

•     How to Get Past Communication Anxiety:

•  Regular Practice: The more you speak and engage with others, the more at ease you'll feel.
• Participate in discussion or speaking groups: Opportunities to practice without fear of criticism are offered by these safe venues.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace unfavourable self-talk with supportive statements. Have faith in your capacity to communicate clearly.

Conclusion

Learning how to communicate effectively takes time, effort, and an open mind. These abilities are essential for international students not only to succeed academically but also to create a satisfying social and professional life abroad. International students may effectively navigate the varied and dynamic landscapes of communication in their host countries by polishing language competence, embracing cultural awareness, perfecting active listening, and building excellent speaking, digital, nonverbal, and conflict resolution skills. Remember that communication is about more than just exchanging words; it's also about creating bonds and promoting empathy across boundaries.