This module is divided into two lessons, namely:

•Lesson 1: Communication Breakdown

•Lesson 2: Various Strategies to Avoid

Communication Breakdown

After going through this module, you are expected

to:

1. define the concept of communication breakdown;

2. identify the different kinds of barriers to effective
communication;
3. explain the causes of communication breakdown;
Oral Communication in and
Context 4. use appropriate strategies to avoid
Quarter 1 – Module 3: communication breakdown and achieve the goals of
Lesson 2 – Various Strategies To relationship and community building.
Week 4
October 11 - 15, 2021 Avoid Communication
Breakdown
What’s In
In Lesson 1, you have learned the concept of communication
Scenarios where Strategies
breakdown and its causes. In this lesson, you will find out how this Communication to Avoid
breakdown of communication can be avoided. Breakdown Communication
occurred Breakdown
Directions: List down two (2) to three (3) situations based on your What
I Can Do Activity in Lesson 1 in which communication breakdowns
were experienced at home, school, and community. Then, suggest one
best strategy to avoid that communication breakdown.

Example:

Breakdown: The DOST scholar uses technical words in explaining his

research to the barangay officials which resulted to confusion among
them.

Strategy: The DOST scholar should uses simple and specific words
about his research to the barangay officials so they would easily
understand his message.
What’s New 1. Have Clarity of thought before speaking .
Communication breakdown may at times be inevitable but as Arrange your thoughts before verbalizing them this can help
a sensible speaker or sender of the message, we could avoid you communicate much more clearly and succinctly. It's a
this. Understanding the concept of communication breakdown better idea to say something like, "I've got a few ideas here.
and its causes, will help us realize that failure in Let me go through them one at a time. We can treat each one
communication may be avoided through certain strategies on its own merit.“
that we could adapt.

Here is an article entitled 5 Ways to Avoid Communication 2. Learn to Listen.

Breakdown by Ronnie Peterson. As simple as it sounds, you’ll be surprised how many people
out there don’t know how to listen well. Not understanding
5 Ways to Avoid Communication Breakdown those who you are trying to communicate with will lead to a
by Ronnie Peterson conversation fraught with misunderstandings. Don’t be afraid
Communication breakdown can cause issues or problems at
to ask them to repeat or explain further in polite manner once
home, school, and community. There are so many barriers to
you don’t understand the point.
communication like, physiological, psychological, cultural, and
linguistics.
Sometimes some communication barriers are too difficult to solve 3. Take Care of your Body Language and Tone.
and this will lead to slowing the progress and efficiency. Keep your emotions in check, try to maintain eye contact, and
Here are the possible strategies to avoid communication adopt a relaxed tone when conversing with others.
breakdown:
 Answer the following questions
4. Build up your confidence by asking for feedback and observing others.
based on the article above.
Focus on improving your skills by practicing in front of those who you may feel
more comfortable with. You can also ask those whose advice you value to give 1.What are the barriers to
you feedback and critique your communication style after a discussion. communication mentioned in
the article?
5. Communicate Face to Face on the important issues.
Having that face to face dialogue means you can convey your point more 2. How can communication
clearly, with your body language as well as your tone of voice. It can also help breakdown be avoided?
to clear up any misunderstandings or distortion of the message that could occur
through other mediums. 3. In your opinion, which strategy
is the easiest to do? Which one is
Remember, becoming an effective communicator takes time and practice. Over the most difficult to do? Why?
time, using these strategies can lead to better communication in your personal
relationships, and more productive workplace environments as well.
What is It
3. Listen with your Ears and Eyes
A smooth and successful communication transaction may result Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal message. Effective
if we follow the strategies to avoid communication breakdown. communication depends on what people say and how
Communication becomes successful if and only if our they say it.
communication goal is achieved, that is, an understanding is 4. Minimize Distractions
reached and a relationship is built or maintained. Look for a place where you can minimize distractions or
Here are some strategies to avoid communication breakdown noise like closed area, empty room, or quiet places.
(Quipper n.d.). Lessening the cause for confusion means giving more
room to focus and concentrate.
5. Be Specific
1. Keep Focused Use simple and concise words as much as possible in
One way of being focused is to put in mind the purpose delivering a message. Being specific means being
communication. As a speaker identify your purpose for particular and direct to the point.
speaking and as a listener find the speaker’s purpose thru 6. Do not Jump to Conclusions
his/her verbal and non-verbal cues. Before you give your comments and judgement, be sure
2. Speak Intelligibly that you have listened attentively to the speaker.
Speaking intelligibly or clearly means using the appropriate Conclusions should be drawn after a thorough analysis of
speaking volume, pitch rate, proper enunciation, stress, and point given or information received.
acceptable pronunciation. We speak in order to be
understood.
 Tips on How to Avoid Communication Breakdown 3. Consideration
In order to be effective, the speaker should give
Broom, Cutlip and Center (2012) listed the 7Cs of Effective high regard and courtesy to audience’s
Communication in their book Effective Public Relations. These are background information such as his/her culture,
Completeness, Conciseness, Consideration, Concreteness, education, religion, status, mood, feelings, and
Clearness, Courtesy, and Correctness. needs. This will result in building rapport or
connection with the audience.
1. Completeness
It is important to whole communication process. The speaker should 4. Concreteness
include everything that the receiver needs to hear, respond, react, or
evaluate properly. S/he should be able to convey all pertinent details Effective communication is backed up by facts,
so listener or audience will be able to grasp the intended message. figures, and real-life examples or situations. This
will make the receiver to understand the message
2. Conciseness
better.
The message should be direct or straight to the point and should be
expressed in the least possible number of words. Irrelevant 5. Clearness
information should not be included.
It implies the use of simple and specific words to
express ideas. When the speaker focuses on
specific ideas, it will not confuse the audience.
6. Courtesy
The speaker can show respect to his/her receivers through Breakdowns in communication may arise
understanding their culture, values, and beliefs. The speaker because of several factors. But these factors
can show respect to the listeners by demonstrating an may be avoided if we follow strategies put
understanding of their beliefs, values, and culture. This implies
good choice of words and language and a consideration of the forward by experts in the field.
audience’s perspectives and feelings on the part of the sender. Communication is a transaction that we do
Showing courtesy helps create a positive vibe with the everyday.
audience. This implies good choice of words and language on By following the 7 Cs of communication
the part of the sender and consideration of audience’s espoused by Broom, Cutlip and Center
perspectives.
(2012), we may achieve understanding in
7. Correctness communicating with others and avoid
Avoiding mistakes in grammar helps to boost the credibility confusion and misinterpretations.
and effectiveness of the message, and at the same time it
eliminates negative impact on the audience.
Avoiding communication breakdown helps you to be an effective speaker.
Below are some strategies which you can use to avoid breakdown communication. (Quipper n.d.)

Helpful Expressions to Avoid Communication Breakdown

Strategies to Avoid Communication Helpful Expressions
Breakdown
Use helpful expressions to gain time to think “Really”
“Uhmm”
“Uh-huh”
“Anyway”
“Tell me more…”
Give positive remarks or comments “”Sounds good”
“I see what you mean”
Ask for repetition “Can you please what you said?”
“What did you say again?”
“What did you mean, when you say that…”
Check for understanding “So, are you saying that…”
“So, what is your understanding of this?”
Activity 1
Directions: Match column A with the best answer in column B. Write your answer on the separate
sheet of paper.
Column A Column B
_____ 1. It refers to the use of simple and precise words. A. Keep
Focused
_____ 2. The speaker should identify his/her purpose for speaking. B. Be Specific
_____ 3. He/she must pays attention to the verbal and non-verbal cues. C. Do not
Jump to Conclusions
_____ 4. He/she must find closed areas or quiet plays to avoid communication breakdown.
D. Speak Intelligibly
_____ 5. He/she must have an appropriate speaking volume, speech rate, and acceptable
enunciation. E. Listen with your ears and eyes
F. Minimize Distractions
Activity 2

Directions: Identify what 7Cs to Effective Communication is being

described. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

__________________ 1. It helps to increase the credibility of the

speaker and reduce negative impact to the audience.
__________________ 2. It conveys all pertinent details so listener or
audience will be able to grasp the intended message.
__________________ 3. It is expressed in the least possible number of
words and straight to the point.
__________________ 4. It implies good choice of words and language
and a consideration of the audience’s perspectives and feelings on
the part of the sender.
__________________ 5. It is backed up by facts, figures, and real-life
examples or situations.
Activity 3
Directions: Think of another helpful expression for each of the
following expressions below to avoid communication breakdown.
Put your answer in each box.

Time-gaining Expression

Give Positive Remark or Comment

Ask for a Repetition

Check for Understanding

What I Have Learned Directions: Complete the diagram on how to
avoid communication breakdown.
Assessment
Directions: Read each statement carefully. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if otherwise. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.
__________________ 1. Concreteness in communication creates positive impact to the audience.
__________________ 2. Clearness helps in eliminating confusions among the audience.
__________________ 3. Grammar mistakes eliminate negative impacts among the receivers.
__________________ 4. Rapport is created when considering the background of the receivers.
__________________ 5. Communication becomes effective when it is supported by facts, figures, and
examples.
__________________ 6. As a speaker, you have to use technical words in order to impress the audience.
__________________ 7. Complete message is important to the process of communication particularly with the
receivers.
__________________ 8. Giving positive remarks shows interest in a conversation.
__________________ 9. The expression “So, are you saying that…” asks for repetition.
__________________ 10. Use polite expressions when asking for clarifications.
__________________ 11. You must use appropriate speaking volume, pitch rate, proper enunciation, stress, and
acceptable pronunciation.
__________________ 12. Accept the ideas of the sender even without full understanding of the message.
__________________ 13. The speaker should know his purpose before he speaks.
__________________ 14. You must pay attention only in verbal cues.
__________________ 15. To limit distractions, stay beside the basketball court.