12 Proven Ways to Boost Oral Communication

Oral communication is one of the most important skills you can have, whether you’re talking to a colleague, giving a presentation, or just having a casual chat. There’s a common myth, based on research by Professor Albert Mehrabian, that only 7% of professional communication is verbal, with 93% being non-verbal. While this statistic is often misquoted and misunderstood, one thing is clear: verbal communication still plays a huge role in how we connect and get our ideas across.

In fact, any successful and self-respecting person knows that they won’t get very far without strong oral communication skills. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching an idea, or simply having a conversation, the way you speak can make all the difference. Words matter – they help us clarify our thoughts, express our emotions, and build relationships, both in our personal lives and in our careers.

In this article, we’ll look at 12 proven ways to improve your oral communication skills. These simple but effective tips will help you speak with confidence, listen more attentively, and communicate your ideas more clearly. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, improve teamwork, or just become a better conversationalist, these strategies will help you get the most out of every conversation.

Let’s get started!

What is oral communication?

Oral communication is about conveying information through spoken words. It’s not just about talking; it’s about being able to send and receive both spoken and written messages effectively. Whether you’re having a casual chat or giving a formal presentation, your ability to communicate clearly can make all the difference in how well your message is understood.

It’s not just about the meaning of your message, it’s also about how you deliver it. The way you speak – your tone, pace, and even body language – plays a huge role in how your message is received. A creative and thoughtful approach to communication can capture attention and keep your audience engaged. Good communication is an art, and the better you get at it, the more effectively you’ll be able to connect with others.

Effective oral communication is key to building a successful career. Whether you’re speaking up in meetings, negotiating with clients, or delivering a big presentation, your communication skills can help you stand out from the crowd. Correct speech and strong listening skills are essential to avoid misunderstandings, and mastering these skills can open doors to career progression in our increasingly connected, digital world.

Advantages of oral communication

Immediate feedback: Oral communication is perfect for getting quick results or feedback.
Personal touch: Oral communication may take place between two people or a group of people, in both cases, it’s more personal than written communication.
Flexibility: The speaker can express thoughts in different ways and correct what has been said if not understood.
Individual or group communication is used at meetings and conferences to deliver messages to several people at the same time.
Effectiveness of oral communication is higher than when using other types of communication.

Disadvantages of oral communication

No records of the conversation for future reference.
Time-consuming process if the meeting is not limited in time, it can take longer than expected.
Misunderstanding by some parties if someone doesn’t make themselves clear enough or makes their speech too long.
Long messages in oral communication may distract attention and not be retained in the listener’s memory.

12 Life hacks to improve oral communication

1. Take some mental notes

Preparing and thinking over your speech in advance is always a good idea. Try to write down the thesis of your speech to structure it and highlight the main issues.

If you are planning to speak in front of an audience, make a communication plan for your speech on paper. For each item, write down the main theses.

To make it easy, you can use note-taking apps with stylus to record important information when preparing or just to memorize words.

2. Use the mirror to practice speech

One of the best ways to boost oral communication is to spend several minutes a day standing in front of a mirror and talking. Pick a topic, set a timer for 2-3 minutes, and just talk.

The essence of this exercise is to watch how your mouth, face, and body move when you speak. You may feel as if you are talking to someone, so imagine that you are having a conversation with your workmate. Speak for 2-3 minutes without stopping. If you stutter, try to rephrase the thought. You can always look up the word you forgot. You will understand exactly what words or sentences you have difficulty with.

3. Reading fiction literature

Do this not only to enjoy the plot and emotions but also to improve your speaking skills. It is important to read books written in ornate literary language, paying attention to grammatical constructions, new words, epithets, and metaphors used for description.

Careful text analysis and its further retelling will help better understand and remember literary techniques, use them more naturally in spontaneous speech, develop your speaking skills, and expand your vocabulary.

Considering the number of metaphors, epithets, and outstanding grammatical structures, I would advise reading books such as ‘The Blind Assassin’ by Margaret Atwood, ‘Cloud Atlas’ by David Mitchell, and ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ by Carlos Ruiz Zafón.

According to research by Statista, almost 90% of graduates in Mexico stated that oral communication played a big role in their careers. This further emphasizes that your oral communication skills can boost morale and productivity and promote teamwork.

4. Listen to audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks can help you learn to speak more competently and pay attention to intonation, pauses, logical stress, timbre, and tempo. Professionally recorded audiobooks can enhance your speaking style significantly. Intonation can convey mood, feelings, and thoughts. You can also use free text-to-speech software to listen to audiobooks, which can help you improve your pronunciation and intonation.

5. Get rid of filler words for better oral communication

Filler words like “like”, “well”, “so”, and “believe me” are common and can undermine the clarity of your speech. To eradicate them, record your voice and listen to it. Another method is to set penalties for each filler word you use, which may encourage you to find clearer phrases.

6. Work on transitioning passive vocabulary to active

Try to introduce less commonly used words into your speech. This helps expand vocabulary without complicating communication. Strive to convey meaning more fully and avoid misunderstandings.

7. Take notice of your body language

Body language has a huge impact on how you convey information. Relax and keep your arms uncrossed during conversations. Use gestures and facial expressions to draw attention without overdoing it, as excessive gestures can distract from your message.

8. Watch public speaking

Observing public speakers can help improve your communication abilities. Watching videos of skilled speakers, such as TED Talks, can provide insights into presentation techniques and audience engagement.

9. Use varied dictionaries

Utilize dictionaries to find precise words while speaking. Refer to mobile-friendly dictionaries or word calendars to expand your vocabulary continually and integrate newly learned words into your conversations.

10. Speak confidently for good oral communication

Confidence is essential when speaking. Prepare an outline for your speech to guide your interaction and focus on key messages.

11. Become an active listener

Active listening is critical and includes receiving, understanding, remembering, evaluating, and responding. This approach builds stronger rapport and demonstrates genuine interest in the speaker’s message.

12. Play word table-top games

Engage in games that enhance memory and vocabulary, like “Hangman” or “Scrabble”, to make learning enjoyable. Modern adaptations can help practice communication skills while having fun.

Bonus: Handy tips and exercises for improving articulation/dictation

Read aloud with expression to develop correct intonation and facial gestures.
Involve experienced instructors for public speaking training.
Engage in spontaneous speech practice, even if it feels challenging initially.
Sing regularly to enhance voice and intonation diversity.
Interact with articulate people to learn and refine your speech.

Where to start improving oral communication?

Improving your oral communication skills unlocks opportunities and strengthens relationships both professionally and personally. By concentrating on speaking and listening effectively, present your ideas clearly and make your communication impactful. This article is a resource for anyone aiming to enhance their communication abilities, irrespective of their background.