Communication Skills: The Reason Why Students with Strong Expertise Still Face Difficulties

Communication skills are the biggest barrier that causes many students, despite having a good knowledge base, strong academic performance, and solid expertise, to face challenges when entering university and real-world environments. The reason for this stagnation does not lie in cognitive or learning abilities, but rather stems from a factor that is often overlooked throughout their time in school.

In reality, students' communication skills not only directly affect their academic results in the classroom but also are a decisive factor for integration, effective teamwork, presentation skills, as well as success opportunities during internships and job interviews. This is why, without these skills, even the most academically proficient students still struggle on their journey of growth and self-affirmation.

What are communication skills and why do students often misunderstand them?

Communication skills are not just about “talking well”

When it comes to communication skills, many students often simply think of being fluent, articulate, or confident in front of an audience. However, in reality, students' communication skills encompass much more than that:

– The ability to listen and respond appropriately

– The ability to express opinions clearly and coherently

– Communicating through verbal and non-verbal means

– Appropriate behavior in academic and professional environments

A student may excel academically and perform well in assignments, but if they cannot articulate their thoughts or understand how to communicate within a group, that ability can easily become “hidden.”

Why do academically proficient students still lack communication skills?

Communication skills are the missing key that causes many students, despite having a good knowledge base, strong academic performance, and solid expertise, to face numerous barriers when entering university or real-world work environments. The cause of this discrepancy does not lie in cognitive abilities, but rather stems from a factor that is often underestimated throughout their educational journey.

Why do academically proficient students still lack communication skills? Most Vietnamese students are trained with a focus on knowledge and grades throughout their schooling. When entering university, many still retain old habits:

– Passive learning: Accustomed to receiving knowledge unidirectionally, with little interaction or critical thinking.

– Fearful mindset: Hesitant to speak up or debate due to fear of being wrong or judged in front of others.

– Lack of practical environment: Students' communication skills have not had much space for systematic and regular practice through extracurricular activities or real projects.

These factors have created a significant gap between “knowing” and “being able to express.” In reality, communication skills not only affect academic results in the classroom but also determine integration ability, teamwork, presentation skills, and success opportunities during job interviews later on. This is why honing these skills has become more urgent than ever for students to confidently grow.

How do students' communication skills affect them in the university environment?

Impact on academic results and teamwork

In the modern university environment, students not only study individually but also frequently participate in discussions, group work, presentations, and defending their viewpoints. When students' communication skills are limited, various issues can easily arise:

– Unable to convey ideas during group work

– Hesitant to communicate with instructors when they do not understand the material

– Difficulty integrating with peers, leading to fragmented learning

Conversely, students with good communication skills tend to be more proactive in their studies and quickly adapt to university learning methods.

Impact on internship processes and career opportunities

During internships, companies evaluate students not only based on their professional knowledge but also on their communication skills:

– The way they present assigned tasks

– The ability to ask questions and receive feedback

– The way they interact with colleagues and superiors

Many students who excel academically but lack communication skills have missed opportunities to be retained for work or assigned important tasks.

Common signs indicating students lack communication skills

Hesitant to speak, ask, or express themselves

The most noticeable sign in students with weak communication skills is their "invisibility" in groups. This silence is not humility, but a barrier preventing connection:

– “Crowd anxiety” syndrome: Not daring to ask questions when they do not understand the material for fear of being seen as incompetent, leading to prolonged knowledge gaps.

– Passivity in discussions: Not daring to express personal opinions, only nodding in agreement with the majority, causing their value in the group to fade.

– Avoiding interaction: Avoiding extracurricular activities, clubs, or workshops – places that are inherently “golden grounds” for building confidence.

Inappropriate communication in professional environments

Many students are strong in theory but stumble when they have to express that knowledge professionally:

– Lack of logical thinking: Presenting information in a rambling manner, lacking focus (missing the Open – Body – Conclusion structure), making it difficult for listeners to grasp the issue.

– Off-tone language: Using too many slang words or everyday language in academic presentations, reducing the persuasiveness and credibility of the content.

– Weak critical thinking skills: Instead of engaging in constructive criticism, students easily fall into personal attacks or remain silent when questioned by others.

“Non-verbal language” lacking vitality

Communication is not just about words, but this is a critical weakness for many:

– Lack of eye contact: Frequently looking down at the ground or up at the ceiling while speaking, creating a sense of lack of confidence or disrespect towards the other person.

– Timid demeanor: Closed posture, awkward hand movements, or stiff facial expressions diminish 50% of the story's appeal.

Clumsiness in digital communication

In the era of online work, lacking skills in writing emails or messaging for work is also a clear manifestation:

– “Headless” emails: Sending assignments or contacting instructors without a subject line, greeting, or signature.

– Poor group messaging skills: Using abbreviations, unclear deadlines, or not knowing how to provide feedback through platforms like Zalo, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

The gaps in students' communication skills if not identified and improved early will create a toxic “comfort zone,” making it difficult for them to break through when entering the harsh labor market.

Learn more: Learning through experience: How PXU transforms every hour of study into a real project

Where to start training students' communication skills?

Starting with classroom communication

The classroom environment is the safest place for students to practice communication skills. Actively speaking up, participating in discussions, and asking questions to instructors help students:

– Increase confidence

– Develop clear expression thinking

– Familiarize themselves with feedback and academic debate

At Phu Xuan University, many learning activities are designed to be interactive, creating opportunities for students to naturally practice these skills without pressure.

Practicing communication skills through real experiences

In addition to classroom hours, students need to actively participate in:

– Club activities

– Group projects

– Experiential and practical activities

These environments help students' communication skills to be formed through real interactions, rather than just theoretical learning.

Learn more: What do students at Phu Xuan University learn outside of class hours?

Communication skills – A foundation for students' long-term growth

Communication skills are not an innate privilege reserved for extroverts, but a type of “muscle” that can be trained and developed persistently over time. For students, mastering language and interaction methods is not merely about being articulate, but about building a solid foundation for long-term development:

A tool to transform knowledge into practical value

Professional competence is like a valuable asset, but without communication skills, that asset will be “frozen” in silence.

– Fully demonstrating professional competence: Good communication helps you express complex ideas into easily understandable information, convincing instructors, colleagues, and superiors of your value.

– Building personal credibility: When you know how to present solutions and defend your viewpoints scientifically, your expertise will be recognized and respected more.

A catalyst for integration and high-level collaboration

The modern university and workplace environment no longer has room for solitary individuals. Communication is the connecting thread:

– Optimizing teamwork: Knowing how to listen actively and respond thoughtfully helps minimize conflicts, create consensus, and enhance the overall performance of the group.

– Expanding networking: The ability to connect helps students access mentors, like-minded peers, and industry experts, opening up opportunities that textbooks can never provide.

A ticket to the global labor market

The post-graduation phase is a fierce race, where a degree is just a necessary condition, while communication skills are the sufficient condition:

– Winning over employers: A candidate who knows how to tell the story of their experiences, asks intelligent questions, and demonstrates confidence through their demeanor will always leave a deeper impression than a pure transcript.

– Flexibility in multicultural environments: Good communication also includes cultural sensitivity, helping students easily adapt to multinational corporations and cross-border digital work environments.

The philosophy of “Learning to Grow”

A university environment that focuses on comprehensive development, prioritizing students' communication skills, will help learners step out of the mindset of “learning to get a degree.” Instead of just “learning to know” (Learning to know), students are equipped to “learn to do” (Learning to do) and most importantly “learn to grow” (Learning to be). Communication is the process through which you explore yourself, understand others, and find your place in society.

Every university environment contributes to shaping students' mindsets, habits, and skills. To learn more about how Phu Xuan University builds a learning environment that emphasizes skills, experiences, and student growth, you can contact Hotline 0234 7306 888 or the Fanpage Phu Xuan University for necessary information support.