MODULE 1

Oral Communication in Context

(week 1)

Contents:
* Etymology of Communication
* Nature of Oral Communication
* Importance of Oral Communication
* Elements of Communication Process
* Process of Communication
* Models of Communication
* Functions of Communication
* Features of Effective Communication
* Barriers to Communication
* Verbal Communication and Nonverbal Communication
* Intercultural Communication

* Etymology of Communication

1.Communication (from Latin word ‘communicare’ meaning, to share or to have

something in common.
2.Communication provides central meaning to human experience.
3.Keith Davis: Communication is a process of passing information and understanding
from one person to another.
4.John Adair: Communication is essentially the ability of one person to make contact
with another and make himself or understood.

* Nature of oral communication

1. Oral communication is a process that involves a message, sender, receiver, and
channel.
2. Oral communication is symbolic which could be enhanced through the use of
nonverbal cues involving facial expressions, gestures, body language, volume, tone,
and pitch of the speaker's voice.
3. Oral communication is a verbal communication that uses words to share information
with others.
4. Oral communication employs readily understood spoken words. It mainly uses words
to express one’s self.
5. Oral communication could be one-way or maybe two-way process.
6. Oral communication involves the flow of information from a sender to the receiver.
7. Oral communication ensures appropriate enunciation, stress and tone of voice for
common understanding to take place.
8. Verbal communication includes sounds, words, language, and speech.

* Importance of Oral Communication

1. Oral communication is important because the goal of learning a language is to
communicate in order to be understood. Without understanding, there is no
communication.
2. Oral communication skills are fundamental to the development of literacy. Literacy is
the ability to read and write.
3. Oral communication is essential for thinking and learning.
4. Oral Communication is the glue that puts all the components of a language together.
5. Oral communication plays an important role in the development of the country.
6. Oral Communication reduces the distance and makes the flow of information faster.
7. Oral communication enables one to be a voice or instrument of truth and a light of the
world.

* Elements of communication process

Communication process involves elements such as sender, receiver, encoding,

decoding, channel/ media, noise and feedback.

1. Sender/Speaker is the person who sends his ideas to another person. For example,
if a manager wants to inform his subordinates about the introduction of a new product,
he is the sender.
2. Message is the idea, feeling, suggestion, guidelines, orders or any content which is
intended to be communicated is message. For example, message is the introduction of
new product.
3. Encoding is the process of converting the idea, thinking or any other component of
message into symbols, words, actions, diagram etc. For example, message is
connected in words and actions.
4. Media/Channel is the medium, passage or route through which encoded message is
passed by the sender to the receiver. There can be various forms of media-face to face
communication, letters, radio, television, e-mail etc. For example manager inform about
the introduction of a new product in a meeting through presentation.
5. Decoding means translating the encoded message into language understandable by
the receiver.
6. Receiver is the person to whom the message has been sent. For example,
subordinates are receivers.
7. Feedback is the response by the receiver. It marks the completion of the
communication process.
8. Context is the environment where communication takes place
9. Noise/Barrier is the hindrance in the process of communication. It can take place at
any step in the entire process. It reduces the accuracy of communication e.g. 1)
Disturbance in the telephone lines, 2) An inattentive receiver 3) Improper Decoding of
Message etc.

* Process of Communication

Communication process consists of following steps:

(i) The sender/speaker formulates the message that he wants to convey to the
receiver.
(ii) He encodes or translates his message. He may take the help of symbols, words,
actions, diagrams, pictures etc.
(iii) He selects an appropriate channel or medium through which the message is to be
transmitted. It can be face to face communication, letters, radio, television, e-mail etc.
(iv) The message is received by the receiver.
(v) Received message is decoded by the receiver so that the receiver can draw the
meaning of the message/context.
(vi) The receiver sends his response/feedback to the sender. In case of any confusion,
the same is conveyed and necessary clarification sought.

* Models of Communication

Communication models are systematic representations of the process which helps in

understanding how communication works can be done.
A. Shannon-Weaver Model
Models of communication are conceptual models used to explain the human
communication process. The first major model for communication was developed in
1948 by Claude Elwood Shannon and published with an introduction by Warren Weaver
for Bell Laboratories.[1] Following the basic concept, communication is the process of
sending and receiving messages or transferring information from one part (sender) to
another (receiver).
Shannon and Weaver's original model contains five elements: information source,
transmitter, channel, receiver, and destination. The information source is where
the information is stored. In order to send the information, the message is encoded into
signals, so it can travel to its destination. After the message is encoded, it goes through
the channel which the signals are adapted for the transmission. In addition, the channel
carries any noise or interference that might lead to the signal receiving different
information from the source. After the channel, the message arrives in the receiver and
is reconstructed (decoded) from the signal before finally arriving at its destination.
In a simple model, often referred to as the transmission model or standard view of
communication, information or content (e.g. a message in natural language) is sent in
some form (as spoken language) from an emissor/ sender/ encoder to a destination/
receiver/ decoder. According to this common communication-related conception,
communication is viewed as a means of sending and receiving information. The
strengths of this model are its simplicity, generality, and quantifiability. The
mathematicians Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver structured this model on the
basis of the following elements:
· An information source, which produces a message.
· A transmitter, which encodes the message into signals
· A channel, for which signals are adapted for transmission
· A receiver, which reconstructs the encoded message from a sequence of received
signals and decodes it.
· An information destination, where the message arrives.
Shannon and Weaver argued that this concept entails three levels of problems for
communication:
1. The technical problem: how accurately can the message be transmitted?
2. The semantic problem: how precisely is the meaning 'conveyed'?
3. The effectiveness problem: how effectively does the received meaning affect
behavior?
Daniel Chandler criticizes the transmission model in the following terms:
· It assumes that communicators are isolated individuals.
· It makes no allowance for differing purposes.
· It makes no allowance for differing interpretations.
· It makes no allowance for unequal power relationships.
 B. Transaction Model
Transactional model of communication is the exchange of messages between sender
and receiver where each take turns to send or receive messages. The transactional
model shows that the elements in communication are interdependent. Each person in
the communication act is both a speaker and listener, and can be simultaneously
sending and receiving messages. This is what most conversations are like. The
transaction model also contains ellipses that symbolize the communication environment
(how you interpret the data that you are given). Where the ellipses meet is the most
effective communication area because both communicators share the same meaning of
the message.
As with other models, the messages may be distorted and the people may be
distracted, resulting in misunderstanding that fuels and hinders the model.

* Functions of Communication

Basically there are five (5) functions of communication. These are control, social
interaction, motivation, emotional expression, and information dissemination.
1. Control – Communication functions to control behavior
2. Social interaction – communication allows individuals to interact with others
3. Motivation – Communication motivates or encourages people to live better
4. Emotional expression – communication facilitates people’s expression of their
feelings and emotions
5. Information dissemination – communication functions to convey information

* Features of Effective Communication

1. Completeness
Complete communication is essential to the quality of the communication
process in general. Hence, communication should include everything that the
receiver needs to hear for him/her to respond, react, or evaluate properly.
2. Conciseness
Conciseness does not mean keeping the message short, but making it direct or
straight to the point. Insignificant or redundant information should be eliminated
from the communication that will be sent to the recipient.
3. Consideration
To be effective, the receiver should always consider relevant information about
his/her receiver such as mood, background, race, preference, education, status,
needs, among others. By doing so, he/she can easily build rapport with the
audience.
4. Concreteness
 Effective Communication happens when the message is concrete and supported
by facts, figures, and real-life examples and situations. In this case, the receiver
is more connected to the message conveyed.
5. Courtesy
The speaker shows courtesy in communication by respecting the culture, values,
and beliefs of his/her receivers. Being courteous all the time creates a positive
impact on the audience.
6. Clearness
Clearness in communication implies the use of simple and specific words to
express ideas. It is also achieved when the speaker focuses only on a single
objective in his/her speech so as not to confuse the audience.
7. Correctness
Correctness in grammar eliminates negative impact on the audience and
increases the credibility and effectiveness of the message.

* Barriers to Communication

There are instances when communication breaks down and misunderstanding occurs
because of certain barriers. To become an effective communicator, you should
recognize these barriers that hinder communication process. This will enable you to
control the situation, reset conditions, and start anew.
 Emotional barriers
 Use of jargon
 Lack of confidence
 Noisy environment

* Verbal Communication and Nonverbal Communication

Verbal Communication refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a

message. For effective and successful verbal communication, use words to express
ideas which can be easily understood by the person you are talking to. Consider
appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and vividness when engaging in this type of
communication.

Nonverbal Communication refers to an interaction where behavior is used to convey

and represent meanings. All kinds of human responses that are not expressed in words
are classified as nonverbal communication (stares, smiles, manner of walking, etc.)

Mastery of nonverbal communication is important for several reasons:

1. It enhances and emphasizes the message of your speech, thus making it more
meaningful, truthful, and relevant
2. It can communicate feelings, attitudes, and perceptions without you saying a
word
 3. It can sustain the attention of listeners and keep them engaged in the speech
4. It gives the audience a preview to the type of speaker you are
5. It makes you appear more dynamic and animated in your delivery
6. It serves as a channel to release tension and nervousness
7. It helps your speech more dramatic
8. It can build a connection with listeners
9. It makes you a credible speaker
10. It helps you vary your speaking style and avoid monotonous delivery

* Intercultural Communication

 Happens when individuals interact, negotiate, and create meanings while

bringing in their varied cultural backgrounds (Ting-Toomey, 1999)
 Pertains to communication among people from different nationalities (Gudykunst,
2003)
 Communication that is influenced by different ethnicities, religions, and sexual
orientations

Simply put, intercultural communication is the sending and receiving of messages

across languages and cultures

The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) offers a structure that

explores how people experience cultural differences. According to Bennett and Bennett
(2004), it has six stages. These are the following:
 Denial. The individual does not recognize cultural differences
 Defense. The individual starts to recognize cultural differences and is intimidated
by them, resulting in either a superior view of their own culture or an unjustified
high regard for the new one.
 Minimization. Although individuals see cultural differences, they bank more on
the universality of ideas rather than on cultural differences
 Acceptance. The individual begins to appreciate important cultural differences in
behaviors and eventually in values.
 Adaptation. The individual is very open to world views when accepting new
perspectives.
 Integration. Individuals start to go beyond their own cultures and see
themselves and their actions based on multifarious cultural viewpoints.

World Bank (2010) identifies the following traits or characteristics that define a
competent intercultural communicator.

1. Flexibility and ability to tolerate high levels of uncertainty

2. Reflectiveness or mindfulness
3. Open-mindedness
4. Sensitivity
5. Adaptability
 6. Ability to engage in divergent thinking (or thinking creatively) and systems-level
thinking (or thinking how each one in a system or organization influences each
other)
7. Politeness

Note that in addition to culture, other elements such as gender, age, social status, and
religion must also be taken into consideration when communicating with others. Refrain
from showing a bias when talking to someone by following the tips below.

1. Avoid stereotypes, i.e., generalizations about a certain group

2. Challenge gender norms; avoid using “he” and “man” to refer to a general group
of people. To remedy this, you may use plural pronouns or rewrite a sentence to
avoid using pronouns. the use of his/her is also acceptable
3. Do not talk down on younger people and the elderly
4. Be sensitive to the religious practices of others
5. Be polite at all times; do not belittle people you perceive to be on a lower social
class than you

Quiz 1
Direction: Identify the content words/phrases to complete the meaning of each
statement given below.
communicare-to share, central meaning, process of passing information -understanding,
make contact - understood
Choose from the box.
Communication
1. Communication (from Latin word ___________, meaning "________" or “to have
something in common”.
2. Communication provides ____________ to human experience.
3. Keith Davis: Communication is a _______________ and ________ from one person
to another.
4. verbal, spoken words, voice, speech, stated words
John Adair: Communication is essentially the ability of one person to __________ with
another and make himself or herself ___________.
Definition of oral Communication
5. Oral communication is the form of _______ communication, which conveys the
message from the sender to the receiver.
6. It is an exchange of information with the help of _______________.
7. It is the process of exchanging information or ideas between two or more persons
using one’s ________.
8. It is the sharing of information between individuals by using ________.
9. Communication is about passing information from one person to another through
__________.
goal-communicate, literacy, thinking-learning, glue-language, development, flow-faster,
instrument - truth
Importance of Oral Communication
10. Oral communication is important because the ______of learning a language is to
_________ in order to be understood. Without understanding, there is no
communication.
11. Oral communication skills are fundamental to the development of ___________.
Literacy is the ability to read and write.
12. Oral communication is essential for ______ and __________.
13. Oral Communication serves as the _______ that puts all the components of a
____________ together.
14. Oral communication plays an important role in the ______________ of the country.
15. Oral Communication reduces the distance and makes the ________of information
________.
16. Oral communication enables one to be a voice or __________ of ______ and a light
of the world.
process, symbolic, verbal, spoken words, one-way- two- way, flow of information,
enunciation, sounds – speech, God-given
Nature of oral communication
17. Oral communication is a ________ that involves a message, sender, receiver, and
channel.
18. Oral communication is _________ which means that it could be enhanced through
the use of nonverbal cues involving facial expressions, gestures, body language, and
the volume, tone, and pitch of the speaker's voice
19. Oral communication is a ________ communication that uses words to share
information with others.
20. Oral communication employs readily understood __________. It mainly uses words
to express one’s self.
21. Oral communication could be _______ or maybe ________ process.
22. Oral communication involves the __________________ from a sender to the
receiver.
23. Oral communication ensures appropriate ___________, stress and tone of voice
for common understanding to take place.
24. Verbal communication include ______, words, language, and _________.
25. The power of speech is a ____________ gift.
Performance: (10 points) Explain: “Without understanding, there is no communication!”

Activity 1
Field Observation
During free time, try to observe a small group discussion and take note of the
dynamics of communication. After observing, answer the following questions.

1. Is there a common topic of discussion?

2. Is there someone who dominates the conversation?
3. Are there other members of the group showing signs of agreement or
disagreement?
4. How do members show their agreement/disagreement?
5. Was there an instance that communication breakdown occurred? If yes, how did
they manage to resolve miscommunication|? Recount it.
6. Based on your observation, what are the causes of communication breakdown?