Overview
This lecture introduces the basics of oral communication, its importance, basic elements, types, and the process, along with practical activities and a quiz to reinforce learning.
Nature and Importance of Communication
- Oral communication aims to develop listening, speaking, and effective communication strategies.
- Communication enables people to send and receive messages through various forms: symbols, gestures, speech, writing, and actions.
- It is essential for connecting with others and building harmonious relationships.
- Effective communication requires both speaking and active listening.
Forms and Types of Communication
- Communication can be verbal (spoken or written words) or nonverbal (gestures, facial expressions, body language).
- Verbal communication uses letters and words; examples include speech, text messages, emails.
- Nonverbal communication is expressing meaning through actions, such as nodding or making eye contact.
Elements and Process of Communication
- The five basic elements are: Sender, Receiver, Message, Channel, and Feedback.
- Sender (speaker) initiates the message; Receiver gets the message and responds.
- Message is the content (information, ideas, emotions) being conveyed.
- Channel is the medium used (speech, writing, digital platforms).
- Feedback is the response from the receiver; no response is also feedback.
- Communication is a systematic, two-way, cyclical process: encoding, transmission, decoding, and feedback.
- Barriers may prevent successful communication and cause misunderstandings.
Functions and Purposes of Communication
- Communication serves to inform, clarify, promote, advise, teach, criticize, persuade, express, and more.
- Each interaction has a function or reason, which can be analyzed in daily communication events.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Communication — the exchange of thoughts, information, or emotions through speech, writing, or behavior.
- Sender — the source of the message.
- Receiver — the intended audience or recipient of the message.
- Message — the information, idea, or emotion conveyed by the sender.
- Channel — the medium used to send the message.
- Feedback — the response or reaction from the receiver.
- Verbal Communication — communication using spoken or written words.
- Nonverbal Communication — communicating without words, through gestures, facial expressions, or body language.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete the "What's More" activity on page 6: Create a chart analyzing two daily communication situations, results, and functions.
- Make a comic strip (on bond paper) showing how to communicate the advantages of following health protocols in your community.
- Post the lesson's "dairy reminder" on Facebook with the hashtag #thereminder.
- Prepare for the next lesson on different models of communication.
Certainly! Here are the questions with their corresponding answers based on the lesson:
1. What is communication and why is it important in our daily lives?
Answer:
Communication is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information through speech, signals, written words, or behavior. It is important because it allows people to connect, share ideas, build relationships, and understand each other.
2. What are the five basic elements of communication? Explain each briefly.
Answer:
- Sender: The person who initiates and sends the message.
- Receiver: The person who receives and interprets the message.
- Message: The information, ideas, or emotions being conveyed.
- Channel: The medium through which the message is sent (e.g., speech, writing, digital platforms).
- Feedback: The response or reaction from the receiver, which completes the communication cycle.
3. How does the communication process work from sender to receiver?
Answer:
The sender encodes a message and transmits it through a channel to the receiver. The receiver then decodes (interprets) the message and provides feedback to the sender, continuing the communication cycle.
4. What is the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication? Give examples.
Answer:
- Verbal communication uses spoken or written words (e.g., talking, texting, emails).
- Nonverbal communication uses body language, gestures, facial expressions, or actions without words (e.g., nodding, eye contact, posture).
5. Why is feedback important in communication?
Answer:
Feedback lets the sender know that the message was received and understood. It helps ensure the communication is effective and allows for clarification if needed.
6. What are some common barriers to effective communication? How can they be overcome?
Answer:
Barriers include language differences, noise, distractions, misunderstandings, and lack of attention. They can be overcome by active listening, clear messaging, minimizing distractions, and confirming understanding.
7. How can active listening improve communication?
Answer:
Active listening ensures the receiver fully understands the message, which helps provide accurate feedback and prevents misunderstandings.
8. Describe a situation where communication failed. What elements were missing or ineffective?
Answer:
For example, if a person introduces themselves but the listener does not pay attention or remember the name, the communication fails due to poor listening (receiver element) and lack of feedback.
9. What are some functions or purposes of communication in everyday life?
Answer:
Communication can inform, clarify, promote, advise, teach, criticize, persuade, express emotions, question, and more.
10. How can understanding speech context and style help achieve communicative competence?
Answer:
It helps tailor the message appropriately for the audience and situation, making communication more effective and respectful.
11. Why is communication considered a two-way process rather than a one-way process?
Answer:
Because it involves both sending and receiving messages, with feedback from the receiver to the sender, making it interactive and dynamic.
12. How has technology influenced the way we communicate today?
Answer:
Technology allows us to communicate instantly over long distances through text messages, phone calls, video calls, and social media, making communication more convenient and accessible.
13. In what ways can nonverbal communication affect the message being conveyed?
Answer:
Nonverbal cues like facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact can reinforce, contradict, or enhance the spoken message, affecting how it is interpreted.
14. How can you ensure your message is clear and understood by the receiver?
Answer:
By using simple language, organizing thoughts clearly, choosing the right channel, and encouraging feedback to confirm understanding.
15. Why is it important to consider the channel used in communication?
Answer:
Because the channel affects how the message is delivered and received; choosing the appropriate channel ensures the message reaches the receiver effectively.
If you want, I can help you format these into a quiz or study guide!
Certainly! Here’s a clear explanation of those points:
Communication as a Two-Way Process
Communication is not just one person talking and the other listening. It’s a cycle where:
- Encoding: The sender thinks about what to say and puts the message into words or actions.
- Transmission: The message is sent through a channel like speaking, writing, or texting.
- Decoding: The receiver listens or reads and tries to understand the message.
- Feedback: The receiver responds to the sender, showing they understood or asking questions.
This back-and-forth keeps communication effective and clear.
Barriers to Communication
Sometimes, things get in the way of clear communication. These are called barriers and can include:
- Noise or distractions
- Language differences
- Not paying attention
- Misunderstanding the message
Barriers can cause confusion or make the message unclear.
Functions and Purposes of Communication
We communicate for many reasons, such as:
- To inform or share information
- To clarify or explain something
- To advise or give suggestions
- To teach or help others learn
- To criticize or point out mistakes
- To persuade or convince someone
- To express feelings or emotions
Every time we communicate, there is a purpose behind it, and understanding this helps us communicate better.
If you want, I can give examples for each part!
We communicate for many reasons because it helps us connect and get things done. Here’s how those reasons work:
- To inform: We share facts or information so others know what’s happening.
- To clarify: We explain things to make sure everyone understands.
- To promote: We encourage or support ideas, products, or actions.
- To advise: We give suggestions or recommendations to help others.
- To teach: We share knowledge or skills so others can learn.
- To criticize: We point out mistakes or problems to improve things.
- To persuade: We try to convince others to believe or do something.
- To express: We share our feelings, thoughts, or emotions.
Each time we communicate, we have a purpose that helps us interact better with others.