LEARNING MODULE IN GE 5-PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Lesson 3. Types of Communicative Strategy

Communication is always a give and take process between participants. From this perspective, we
consider that the solution of communication problems is the responsibility of both speaker and listener and that
correct strategies help to get the right message across.

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

Identify the strategies that speakers commonly resort to when communication problems arise; and
Apply these strategies to a certain communication through a video presentation.

Engage : Quick Speak:

Activity 27. “Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore, we must learn both
arts” – Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
Explain the quotation above. What are its implications on how we should communicate? Limit your answer in
not more than 5 sentences and not less than 3 sentences. Put your answer in the google classroom or write it
down on a white bond paper for submission here or at the messenger.

Explore: Read and understand the text

A communication strategy is a systematic technique employed by speakers to express their meaning

The way a communicator express himself/herself vary according to factors such as context and
situations. It is subject to perceptual differences. Since communication is a very complex process with the
interplay of different factors, it has to be done strategically. One of the biggest sources of misunderstandings and
communication breakdown is language. By understanding what strategies are
helpful, we can help resolve problems and communicate better in English.
Studies show that the following are the twelve strategies that speakers PROMPT
commonly resort to when communication problems arise:
Why should one use a
1. Message Abandonment- You leave the message unfinished because strategy to communicate
of language difficulties. when the ability to
2. Topic Avoidance- You try not to talk about concepts that are difficult communicate is a natural
for you to express. gift?

3. Circumlocution- You describe or paraphrase the target object or action.

4. Approximation- You use an alternative term (ship) to express the meaning of the target word (sail) as
closely as possible.

5. Use of all-purpose words- You expand a general word to the context where certain words are lacking
like the overuse of the words: thing, stuff, make, do, what-do-you call-it, what-is-it.

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6. Word coinage – You create a new English word based on what you know of the way English works like
“vegetarianist” (which is not in the dictionary) for “vegetarian”.

7. Use of non-verbal means- You mime, gesture, use facial expression, and imitate sound to express the
meaning you want.

8. Literal translation – You translate a word or an idiom from your mother tongue to English using the
structure of your first language.

9. Foreignizing- You use the word in your native language but pronounce it like English.

10. Code Switching- You use the native word or expression for the English term that expresses the
meaning you want.

11. Appeal for help- You ask other students or your teacher for help when you do not know or forget some
words, structures, or idioms.

12. Use of fillers/hesitation devices- You use filling words (Ahhhhh, uhmmmm, etc) to gain time to think.

Explore: Watch and listen

To further understand the lesson, please watch this video entitled “Types of Communicative Strategy”
following this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHSAA608h28

CHECKPOINT:

Do you have inputs from the video? What are those? You may take note of those
and don’t forget.
Elaborate and Evaluate

Among the aforementioned communicative strategies, which do you use? Which have you found
helpful? Which do not work? Explain why.

SUMMARY:

The use of Communicative Strategies is the hallmark of communicative competence. Being able to use
such strategies make certain not only the achievement of the Speech Purpose but also the enrichment of the
communication experience for both Speaker and Listener. More than making interaction possible,
Communicative Strategies when used by the Speaker (and sometimes the Listener) allow for the adjustment of
the Message and its Delivery. 

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Communicative strategies not only play an important role in communication but they also contribute to
second language acquisition. Communicative strategies (CS) can help to keep the communication channel open,
encourage hypothesis formation and automatization.
A communication strategy ensures that all significant information is dispersed to the correct people, both
internally and externally. Having all people on the same page is essential to a highly efficient workplace.
REFERENCES:

Online Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHSAA608h28

https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-7-types-of-communication-strategies-examples/

https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-7-types-of-communication-strategies-examples/

https://findanyanswer.com/what-are-the-7-communicative-strategies