It is easy to assume, that in the English speaking world, we share a common language, a common vehicle for communicating with each other. But once we learn to listen more closely, we can start to interest ourselves in the many instances of ‘crossed wires’, misunderstanding, erroneous interpretation and false assumptions that we hear around us every day.

This suite of programmes looks at the many angles of clear and meaningful communication between people, from making direct, unequivocal statements incapable of misinterpretation, through to the subtleties of persuasion, influence and mutually respectful interaction even in tricky situations.

All means of communication are explored – verbal, non-verbal, telephone, written and e-mail. The aim throughout is to sensitise participants to the many layers of message and meaning which can lie behind the simplest phrase or sentence, to listen, to speak and to write with care, precision and integrity.