Good morning, my dear students!

Before we proceed full throttle to our daily routine here in school, it is my pleasure to join you
virtually in this Grandiose AEC Day with the prospect of a dose of fun and recreation.
The theme of today’s activity, Enriching Language and Literature Through Virtual
Communication, is very timely as we are still experiencing a pandemic.
When the world locked down, those who transitioned to working or studying from home
assumed it would work just fine. However, the virtual world presents unique challenges. Gone
are the opportunities to strike up a conversation in the breakroom, ask a quick question in the
hallway, or run an idea past someone who happens to be nearby. Instead, you communicate with
a narrow group of friends, and a call – or even an email – can feel intrusive.
Even if you are one of the few whose life hasn’t changed much during the past few months, you
have probably experienced some challenges with communicating in the virtual world.
So, how can you make your interactions as effective as possible in this new normal, let alone
enriching English and literature?
First, remember that kindness and positivity improve relationships, whether you are masked face
to masked face or you’re behind a computer in your living room.
Conveying a friendly, agreeable attitude is harder in the new normal. Pay extra attention to how
you are coming across.
Re-read your messages before you hit send. Are they upbeat and helpful?
Check your vocal tone. Do you sound interested or bored? Judgmental or supportive?
Smile, nod and make eye contact more than usual when you’re on camera or behind a
mask.
Check in with people, not just to reiterate action items but to build relationships. The
new normal can leave people feeling isolated, unheard and misunderstood.
Second, practice mindfulness. Be fully in the moment when interacting virtually. Eliminate
distractions so everyone can concentrate on the task at hand.
If people will see you and your surroundings during a meeting, turn on your camera
before the call. Check for clutter, glare and lighting issues that could detract from the
conversation.
Remove anything that might take your attention off the discussion. People can tell when
your mind is elsewhere. You wouldn’t play on your phone or work on something else if
you were all in the same room, so don’t do these things when you are meeting virtually.
Third, overcome the physical barriers.
 Masks and shields hide facial expressions, yet facial expressions convey a great deal of
meaning. To compensate:
Make as much eye contact as possible.
Modulate your voice more to get your intentions across.
Choose your words carefully, so you say exactly what you mean.
Speak up and articulate clearly.
Check for understanding.
Repeat and rephrase.
Use hand signals and nodding to let people know they have it right.
Whether you are in the virtual world or just socially distanced, remind yourself that we are all in
this challenging situation together. A supportive attitude and a few adjustments can help
overcome even the most frustrating communication challenges!
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the activities prepared by the organization in today’s festivity.