WorkplaceHero

Communication

Clearer conversations, better listening and fewer costly misunderstandings.

45 mins Awareness Highfield Self-paced online

About this course

Most workplace problems trace back to communication. This short course covers the practical skills that make everyday conversations clearer and less costly.

It covers the communication cycle, verbal and non-verbal signals, active listening, barriers to understanding, and choosing the right channel for the message - whether that is a conversation, a call or an email.

What learners cover

  • The communication cycle and where messages break down
  • Verbal, non-verbal and written communication
  • Active listening and questioning techniques
  • Barriers to communication and how to remove them
  • Choosing the right channel and adapting to your audience

Course content

The course is delivered in short, bite-size sections that learners can stop and restart at any point.

  1. Section 1

    How communication works

    Sender, message, channel, receiver and feedback, and the cost of getting it wrong.

  2. Section 2

    Getting your message across

    Clarity and structure, tone, body language, and matching the channel to the message.

  3. Section 3

    Listening

    Active listening, open and closed questions, summarising and checking understanding.

  4. Section 4

    Barriers

    Jargon, assumptions, distractions, emotion and cultural differences, and practical ways round them.

Who it is for

All employees, new starters, apprentices, and anyone who wants to communicate more confidently at work.

Entry requirements: No prior knowledge is needed. The course is written in plain English and suitable for all staff.

How it is delivered

Fully online and self-paced

Learners work through the course at their own pace and can pause and resume where they left off.

Any device

Works on desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile, with audio, video and written transcripts throughout.

Interactive throughout

Scenarios, exercises and images keep learners engaged rather than clicking through slides.

Knowledge checks

Short checks at the end of each section so learners can see what has landed before moving on.

Average completion time is around 45 mins, though learners can take as long as they need and return as often as they like.

How it is assessed

Knowledge checks run throughout the course so learners can test understanding as they go. The course ends with a multiple-choice assessment taken online. Learners who do not pass first time can retake it.

Certification

Learners receive a Highfield Online Training digital certificate as soon as they pass the end-of-course assessment. Certificates download straight away and can be saved to a CPD log or staff training record.

Refresher guidance: Refresh whenever it is useful. Many employers include this in induction and team development.

How it works for teams

  1. 1. Choose how many licences you need and pay by card, or request an invoice.
  2. 2. Add your learners' names and email addresses.
  3. 3. We set them up on the course platform and they receive their login by email.
  4. 4. Track who has been set up from your account.