12

Oral Communication
in Context
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Strategies to Avoid Communication Breakdown

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Cindyrella S. Manalo
Editor: Alvin R. Lim
Reviewer: Rolylyn H. Dado
Layout Artist: Froilan G. Isip

Management Team Zenia G. Mostoles EdD, CESO V, SDS

Leonardo C. Canlas EdD CESE, ASDS
Rowena T. Quiambao CESE, ASDS
Celia R. Lacanlale PhD, CID Chief
Arceli S. Lopez PhD, SGOD Chief
June D. Cunanan EPS- English
Ruby M. Jimenez PhD, EPS-LRMDS

Published by the Department of Education, Schools Division of Pampanga

Office Address: High School Boulevard, Brgy. Lourdes,

City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Telephone No: (045) 435-2728
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Introductory Message
For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the Oral Communication in Context Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Strategies to Avoid Communication Breakdown.

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

from public institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping the learners meet the
standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and
economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and
circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the
module:

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their
own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they
do the tasks included in the module.

For the Learner:

Welcome to the Oral Communication in Context Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Strategies to Avoid Communication Breakdown.

Communicate means to share. Communication is the process of exchanging

messages, ideas, facts, opinions, or feelings. Communication is fruitful if and only if the
messages sent by the sender are interpreted with the same meaning by the receiver. If any
kind of barrier blocks any step of communication, the message will be destroyed. To have a
proper and successful communication, you should know how to avoid barriers in
communication.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process
the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

What I Need to Know

In this module, we will discover the different barriers that can affect the process of
communication. We will also know the strategies on how to avoid communication
breakdown.
For the learner

A better understanding of the barriers of communication can help you to have better
communication with your receiver. Knowing it can also lead to avoiding communication
breakdown.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the different barriers to communication
2. Distinguish the strategies to avoid communication breakdown
3. Use various strategies to avoid communication breakdown

What I Know

Directions. Read each item carefully and identify the barrier present in the following
scenario. Write only the letter of the correct answer in your notebook.
1. You are having a bad day, or you feel frustrated.
a. Emotional
b. Lack of Confidence
c. Noisy Environment
d. Use of Jargon
2. You are asked to share something about your day or weekend, but you are hesitant
because you are shy.
a. Emotional
b. Lack of Confidence
c. Noisy Environment
d. Use of Jargon
3. You are a scientist discussing a certain weather phenomenon with your neighbor who
does not know much about the topic.
a. Emotional
b. Lack of Confidence
c. Noisy Environment
d. Use of Jargon

4. You are having a conversation with some friends when a song was played loudly.
a. Emotional
b. Lack of Confidence
c. Noisy Environment
d. Use of Jargon
5. You sit in a meeting or class where you think the speaker is boring.
a. Emotional
b. Lack of Confidence
c. Noisy Environment
d. Use of Jargon
 Lesson Strategies to Avoid Communication

3 Breakdown

Identifying the different barriers that can affect the process of communication is
important in avoiding communication breakdown.

What’s In

Directions. Read each item carefully, choose the letter of the correct answer and write your
answers in your notebook.
1. Known as the mother of all communication models, this model (1949) depicts
communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements: a source
(producer of message); a transmitter (encoder of message into signals); a channel (signals
adapted for transmission); a receiver (decoder of message from the signal); and
a destination.
a. Aristotle
b. Berlo’s S-M-R-C
c. Lasswell
d. Shannon Weaver

2. This model has 5 components which is used as an analysis tool for evaluating the
communication process and components. The components are the questions to be asked to
get the answers and keep communication going.
a. Aristotle
b. Berlo’s S-M-R-C
c. Lasswell
d. Shannon Weaver
3. This model has mainly, four components to describe the communication process. They
are sender, message, channel and receiver. Each of the component is affected by
many factors.
a. Aristotle
b. Berlo’s S-M-R-C
c. Lasswell
d. Shannon Weaver

4. In this model, senders and receivers both are known as communicators and both play
equally important role in communication.
a. Aristotle
b. Berlo’s S-M-R-C
c. Lasswell
d. Transactional
5. This model is a speaker centered model as the speaker has the most important role in it
and is the only one active.
a. Aristotle
b. Berlo’s S-M-R-C
c. Lasswell
d. Transactional

What’s New
Complete the semantic web below with the different barriers to communication

Barrier

What is It

Discussion of Activity 1

 Barriers to Communication
There are instances when miscommunication and misunderstanding occur because of
certain barriers. To become an effective communicator, you should recognize these barriers
that hinder the communication process. This will enable you to control the situation, reset
conditions, and start anew.
 Common Barriers to Effective Communication
1. The use of jargon – Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms.
2. Emotional barriers and taboos – Some people may find it difficult to express their
emotions and some topics may be completely ‘off-limits’ or taboo. Taboo or difficult
topics may include but are not limited to, politics, religion, disabilities (mental and
physical), sexuality and sex, racism, and any opinion that may be unpopular.
 3. Lack of attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver – Topics
are not interesting to the receiver, he/she might feel bored because he/she is
distracted and not on focus.
4. Differences in perception and viewpoint – The things being shared were opposite
to what the receiver believes.
5. Physical disabilities such as hearing problems or speech difficulties
6. Physical barriers to non-verbal communication – Not being able to see the non-
verbal cues, gestures, posture, and general body language can make communication
less effective. Phone calls, texts messages, and other communication methods that
rely on technology are often less effective than face-to-face communication.
7. Language differences and the difficulty in understanding unfamiliar accents
8. Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or
stereotyping – People often hear what they expect to hear rather than what is being
said and jump to incorrect conclusions.
9. Cultural differences – The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different
cultures, as do the way in which emotions are expressed. For example, the concept
of personal space varies between cultures and between different social settings.

The table below presents some barriers to effective communication with

corresponding solutions.
BARRIER EXAMPLE SOLUTION
EMOTIONAL BARRIERS You are having a bad day, Recognize these kinds of
or you feel frustrated. emotions, and politely ask
the other person to give you
a moment so you can relax
or calm yourself.
USE OF JARGON You are a scientist Jargon refers to the set of
discussing a certain weather specialized vocabulary in a
phenomenon with your certain field. To avoid
neighbor who does not communication breakdown
know much about the topic due to lack of clarity, adjust
your language; use
layman’s terms or simple
words.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE You are asked to share Develop self-confidence by
something about your day or joining organizations where
weekend, but you are you can share and develop
hesitant because you are your interests. Look for
shy. opportunities in your school
or community that will help
you find your strengths and
improve your abilities.
NOISY ENVIRONMENT You are having a Recognize that noise is a
conversation with some common barrier. Make
friends when a song was some adjustments by asking
played loudly. someone to minimize the
volume or by looking for a
quiet area where you can
resume the conversation.
 What’s More

Independent Activity 1

Directions. Complete the table by giving examples and solutions appropriate to the given
barriers below.
BARRIER EXAMPLE SOLUTION
Differences in perception
and viewpoint

Cultural differences

Physical barriers to non-

verbal communication

Lack of attention, interest,

distractions, or
irrelevance to the receiver

Independent Assessment 1
Identify the possible barrier involves in each picture. Create a short skit about it.

1. 2.

Source : M I R A ( @SanggreMira ) Source : global.widex.com

3.

Source : teachingenglish.org.uk
Independent Activity 2

Answer the following questions:

1. Sarah is helping a Korean guy who does not speak English to find his way to a
destination. In this scenario, what are the strategies you can use to avoid
communication breakdown? Explain briefly your answer.

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
__________.

2. James and Nadine meet at a birthday party. James wants to know more
about Nadine. In this scenario, what might be the barriers present in this
situation? And how James and Nadine may overcome these barriers?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
__________.

Independent Assessment 2

Write the strategies you will use to avoid communication breakdown in the following
scenario. Explain briefly your answer.

1. Danver wants to ask his father for an increase in her allowance but he is too shy to tell it.

2. Justine is discussing her topic about the New Normal System of the Department of
Education to the parents of her students. She notices that some of them are not focusing on
the discussion.

3. David is sharing his insights about the COVID-19 Pandemic to his best friend. But it turns
out to be a debate.

4. The teacher asks Julie to share with her classmates her opinion about bullying. She didn’t
go in front because of nervousness.

5. Grade 12 St. Matthew students were talking about their lesson when Grade 12 St. John
came and started singing a song.
Independent Activity 3

Answer the following questions;

1. What are the effects of the barriers to everyday communication process?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________.

2. Why does communication fail? What do you do when it fails?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________.
3. What are the barriers you are experiencing in communicating with your family friends
every day? What are the strategies you are using to avoid having miscommunication
with them?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________.

Independent Assessment 3

Create a song or a poem showing the strategies on how to avoid communication

breakdown.
 What I Have Learned

Direction. Reflect on what you have learned after taking up this lesson by completing the
chart below in 2-3 sentences.

What were your I thought…

thoughts or ideas
about the strategies to
avoid communication
breakdown prior to the
discussion of the
lesson?

I learned that…
What new or
additional ideas did
you learn after taking
up this lesson?

How are you going to I am going to…

apply the things you
have learned about
the strategies to avoid
communication
breakdown?

What I Can Do

Create a comic strip showing how the different barriers of communication affect the
teaching and learning process in a classroom .
 Assessment

I. Identify the barriers to communication being described in the following statement.

1. Topics are not interesting to the receiver, he/she might feel bored because he/she
is distracted and not on focus.
2. The things being shared were opposite to what the receiver believes.
3. The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different cultures, as do the way in
which emotions are expressed.
4. People often hear what they expect to hear rather than what is being said and
jump to incorrect conclusions.
5. Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms.
6. Not being able to see the non-verbal cues, gestures, posture and general body
language can make communication less effective.
7. Some people may find it difficult to express their emotions and some topics may
be completely ‘off-limits’ or taboo.
8. Phone calls, texts messages and other communication methods that rely on
technology are often less effective than face-to-face communication.

II. Write two example scenarios for each barrier. Provide each a solution or strategy to
overcome it.
1. Cultural differences
2. Emotional barriers and taboos
3. Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping
4. Language differences and the difficulty in understanding unfamiliar accents.

5. The use of jargon

Additional Activities

Create an illustration showing how barriers to communication also affect the problem
in the COVID-19 Pandemic.