Six ways to improve communication skills for students

Good communication is vital for achieving success in both your academic and personal life. For students, being able to convey their thoughts clearly and listen effectively can significantly enhance their learning experience and build strong relationships with peers and teachers.

Here are 6 ways to improve communication skills for students, including exciting school camp activities that can further hone these abilities.

Why is good communication important for students?

Effective communication is important for students for several reasons:

  • Academic success: Clear communication helps students express their understanding of subjects, participate in group work, and seek help when needed.
  • Social interaction: Effective communication is also crucial for building relationships with friends, classmates and teachers, promoting a positive learning environment.
  • Better leadership: Good communicators are more likely to develop better leadership skills as they know how to collaborate effectively, inspire their peers, and motivate others.
  • Future readiness: Strong communication skills are highly valued in the workplace, preparing students for successful job interviews and careers.

How to improve communication skills for students

Let’s take a look at 6 tried-and-tested strategies to improve communication skills for students.

1. Encourage students to practice active listening

Good communication is about more than just talking; it’s about listening too. Teachers can help students improve their communication skills by encouraging students to focus on the speaker and give their full attention to them. Showing interest is also key. Nodding or using facial expressions can show they’re engaged in the conversation. Practising empathy and responding appropriately by asking questions can help students confirm their understanding of the topic or message.

2. Encourage students to share their opinions

Creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts or asking for help can significantly improve their communication skills. You can do this by regularly involving them in classroom discussions on various topics as part of the curriculum to express their opinions. This further encourages open dialogue and helps students become more confident communicators.

3. Participate in team-building activities

Group activities provide valuable opportunities for students to develop effective communication and collaboration skills in a hands-on manner. Organising study groups, inspiring students to participate in team sports or attend school camp, and assigning collaborative projects not only improve students’ interpersonal skills but also make learning more enjoyable and interactive. Often the biggest breakthroughs are made outside of the classroom.

4. Develop nonverbal communication

One powerful method to improve communication skills for students is by mastering nonverbal cues. Encourage them to maintain eye contact, which signals confidence and active engagement. Using appropriate gestures, such as hand movements, can also help emphasise key points and make their communication more impactful. Furthermore, teaching students to recognise others’ body language enables them to interpret messages more accurately.

5. Engage in public speaking

If some students have a fear of speaking in front of others, you can help enhance their verbal communication skills by setting small yet regular student presentations in class. Using visual aids like slides can make it easier for students to convey their messages. For those with a little more confidence, getting them to take part in debates during class is a great way for students to learn how to argue rationally and present their ideas clearly. 

6. Provide constructive feedback

Lastly, make sure to give plenty of feedback. This helps students to understand their strengths and identify areas for improvement. When offering feedback, be specific and clear, addressing specific points rather than giving general comments. It’s important to maintain a positive tone, highlighting their strengths while suggesting areas for growth. Tip: Write down feedback when possible so students can refer back to it later, reinforcing their learning and allowing them to track their progress over time.

Activities to improve communication skills for students at PGL

At our school camps, students get the chance to boost their communication skills in a safe and super fun environment. At PGL, we offer a wide variety of adventurous activities, specifically designed to get students working collaboratively and communicating effectively. These include:

  • Raft Building – teams work together, sharing their ideas and strategies to build a raft which will be strong enough to hold them all on water. This activity often brings forth unlikely leaders, and students build their communication skills without even knowing it!
  • Challenge Course – no-one is left behind on the challenge course, so communication here is key! Students will need to compromise, plan and work together to complete this course.
  • Catapult – equipped with logs and rope, teams need to work together to build a medieval-style catapult which can fire at targets. Students will need to debate and agree on design and construction methods, getting everyone in the team involved.
  • Jacob’s Ladder – this is an exercise in teamwork and friendly cooperation. No one person can complete this challenge by themselves, so students will need to communicate, make decisions and work together to get to the top as a team.
  • Initiative Exercises – students work together on a series of mental challenges, some of which may also require some physical ability to complete. Planning, making decisions and communicating are integral to success.
  • Trust Exercises – a variety of fun adventure activities with physical challenges, which require cooperation, communication and participation from everyone in order to complete successfully.

Through these diverse school camp activities, students can enhance their communication skills by collaborating on plans, delegating tasks, solving problems, and coordinating strategies. These experiences teach them to express ideas clearly, work as a team, motivate their peers, and build trust, all of which contribute to effective and empathetic communication growth.

Improve your students’ communication skills on a PGL adventure camp!

Ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime? PGL is the answer! Our school camps in Victoria (Campaspe Downs & Camp Rumbug) and Queensland (Kindilan) for primary and secondary students are designed to provide a unique blend of outdoor exploration, education and excitement!

Through thrilling activities and team-building exercises, your students will not only build confidence but also strengthen their ability to communicate effectively in various situations.

Contact us today and we’ll be happy to discuss our range of camp programs tailored for your students to find the perfect fit for you.