Communicating as a Professional
In today’s day and age, we humans use technology as a way of checking our grammar usage when we write. However, what we fail to check is how we present our grammar usage when we speak. Kyle Wiens states in his article, I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why, he states that words “are a projection of you in your physical absence.” Using proper grammar when speaking and writing is a chief priority because it enhances what the speaker knows and shows their mental capacity.
In Forbes staff writer Susan Adams’ article, Why Grammar Counts at Work, and CEO Kyle Wiens’, I Won’t Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here’s Why, both authors give the audience multiple reasons why it is important that employees use proper grammar not only at school, but at work also. Adams starts off her article by emphasizing how “poor grammar shows a kind of sloppiness.” She then goes on to explain that when an employee is giving an oral presentation to a group of colleagues, it is imperative that the speaker speaks clearly and with little mistakes because it shows the listeners that the speaker is neat and “more likely to complete tasks correctly.” Adams finished her article by saying that people fail to realize that when they use correct punctuation when writing, they are showing the reader that the writer is serious, and in also being respectful (Adams). Wiens describes words as being our only personality trait that show others how smart we are. In other words, the words are our “credibility.” When presenting few grammar mistakes while at work, employees are more than likely to make fewer mistakes compared to when they are completing a task. When ending his article, Wien emphasized that “good grammar makes good business,” meaning “other corporations or individuals are more than likely to trust that individual more when they present themselves as a proper grammar user.”
As Adams stated in her, Why Grammar Counts at Work, article, using the correct grammar presents yourself as a proper individual who knows what they are speaking of. The Occupational Outlook Handbook says that, “it is important to have good communication, patience, and resourcefulness skills when becoming a teacher." As for reading, professional journals are going to be a major reading source when I begin my teaching career. The Journal of American History is a website that allows all history teachers to look up articles, presidential addresses, and much more. When speaking to an audience of high schoolers, it is important that I speak to the students with proper grammar. “When you speak, you project your level of intelligence and thoughtfulness,” says Susan Adams. Students would not respect a teacher who sounded like they don’t know what they are talking about. The same things goes for writing. When composing my Cornell notes, it is important that I show the students the correct way of composing the notes and obtaining key information from books. When it comes to listening and speaking, it is important to have a loud, projected voice so students do not need to worry about missing something I said. In Amber Chandler’s article, 3 Tips for Teaching Speaking and Listening Skills, she states, “being able to adapt your speech to a variety of scenarios is not only useful, but expected.” Communication goes a long way for becoming a teacher. If a student has questions about an assignment or missed a day in class, being a teacher means listening to a problem the student has, and helping the student solve it. Whether its communication through email, or simply having a meeting with their parents, a teacher must be able to communicate, learn patience, and be resourceful.
As stated previously, communication begins with good grammar. In order for me to develop skills to become a good history teacher, I need to develop good communication skills, learn to be patient, and also resourceful. To develop good communication skills, I talk professionally with my customers at work. With the loud music playing all day, I speak louder than I usually do so that the customers don’t have to keep asking what I said. The same thing with being patient; customers take a while to choose a sword they want. Instead of urging them on to hurry along, I am having a colleague keep an eye on me to advise me when I do and don’t edge them on. As for being resourceful, I use the computer at work to look up information about the swords I don’t know for the customer. I don’t like being one of those people who tell their customers they don’t know anything about how the product was made. So instead of blowing the customers off, I tell the customer to give me a minute and I either use the computer to look up information on the sword, or call my boss. With all these situations I am presented with at work, this is how I am preparing myself to develop good communication skills along with being patient and resourceful.
Good grammar presents a good professional appearance (Adams). Using correct grammar shows individuals that you are serious, promotes good communication skills, and that you have taken the time to develop on your speaking. These are the important reasons why it is imperative that, as an individual, people push themselves to develop better grammar skills rather than relying on technology to fix those grammar errors.
Works Cited
Adams, Susan. "Why Grammar Counts at Work." Forbes. 20 July 2012. Web. 15 June 2016. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/07/20/why-grammar-counts-at-work/>
Chandler, Amber. “3 Tips for Teaching Speaking and Listening Skills.” Association for Middle Level Education. AMLE Magazine, Mar. 2016. Web. 22 June 2016. <https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/607/3-Tips-for-Teaching-Speaking-and-Listening-Skills.aspx>
“High School Teachers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. United States Department of Labor, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 20 June 2016. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm?
The Journal of American History. Organization of American Historians, 14 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 June 2016. <http://jah.oah.org/>
Weins, Kyle. "I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why." Harvard Business Review: HRB Blog Network. 20 July 2012. <http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/07/i_wont_hire_people_who_use_poo.html>