Overview
This lecture introduces the basics of oral communication, its nature, elements, and process, and highlights the importance of effective listening, speaking, and understanding in successful communication.
Nature and Importance of Communication
- Oral communication develops listening and speaking skills for effective interaction.
- Communication allows us to send and receive messages using spoken words, written symbols, or actions.
- Humans have communicated throughout history using gestures, sounds, drawings, and technology.
- Communication is essential for building relationships and functioning in society.
Forms and Types of Communication
- Verbal communication uses written (letters, texts, emails) or spoken words.
- Nonverbal communication uses gestures, facial expressions, and body language without words.
- Communication exists in all situations, from conversations to watching television.
Elements of Communication
- There are five basic elements: sender, receiver, message, channel, feedback.
- The sender (speaker) begins the communication process.
- The receiver is the audience or recipient of the message.
- The message contains information, ideas, or emotions to be conveyed.
- The channel is the medium (e.g., speech, writing, digital platforms) used to deliver the message.
- Feedback includes the reactions or responses from the receiver.
Communication Process
- Begins with the sender encoding a message through a chosen channel.
- The receiver decodes, or interprets, the message and responds with feedback.
- Communication is a two-way, cyclical process.
- Barriers may block understanding and cause miscommunication.
Functions and Purposes of Communication
- Communication is used to inform, clarify, promote, advise, teach, affirm, criticize, question, express, persuade, and more.
- Success in communication requires speaking, listening, and understanding.
Assessment and Activities
- Identify and analyze daily communication transactions (situation, results, elements, function) in a chart.
- Create a comic strip about communicating health protocols in your community using original scripts and visuals.
- Complete a quiz on key concepts from the lesson.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Sender — The source or originator of the message.
- Receiver — The person who receives and interprets the message.
- Message — The content or information communicated.
- Channel — The medium used to transmit the message.
- Feedback — The receiver’s response or reaction to the message.
- Verbal Communication — Communication using words, either spoken or written.
- Nonverbal Communication — Communication through body language, gestures, or facial expressions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete the chart of daily communication transactions (module, page 6).
- Create a comic strip about health protocols in your community.
- Post the “dairy reminder” on Facebook with the specified hashtag.
- Prepare for the next lesson on models of communication.