MODULE 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF

COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION
This chapter, Nature and Elements of Communication, will bring the Senior High School (SHS) students
to a new level of improving their oral communication skills. It does not only develop student’s effective
oral communication and other soft skills in different contexts but also respect for various cultures. This
module is intended to serve as a resource for students more meaningful and effective learning of oral
communication skills.

 TIME FRAME: WEEK 1/ QUARTER 1

 CONTENT STANDARD : the learner understands the nature and elements of oral
communication in text.
 PERFORMANCE STANDARD : the learner designs and performs effective controlled and
uncontrolled oral communication activities based on context.
 MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES :
1. explain the function , nature and process of communication.
2. differentiate the various models of communication.
SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson , the learners should be able to:

 explain the function , nature and process of communication.

 differentiate the various models of communication.

PRE-TEST
1. All of the following define communication, EXCEPT?
A. Communication involves a transaction.
B. Communication is sharing of ideas among a group of people.
C. Communication is a confusion of ideas in the mind of another.
D. Communication is a transfer of messages from one person to another.

2. Complete the analogy:

Listener: receiver of the message:: ________: is a means by which the message is sent.
A. Speaker
B. Channel
C. Response
D. Feedback

3. Which of the following models of communication asserts that communication can take place if and
only if there is an overlap between the field of experience of the speaker and of the listener?

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 A. Shannon-Weaver’s model
B. Schramm’s
C. Aristotle’s
D. White’s

4. The content of the communication is called a:

A. Message
B. Noise
C. Media richness
D. Jargon

5. To convert a message into groups of words, symbols, gestures, or sounds that present ideas or concept
is called ________.
A. Encoding
B. Feedback
C. Noise
D. Media richness

6. A certain look or gaze is an example of:

A. Verbal communication
B. Oral Communication
C. Written Communication
D. Nonverbal Communication

7. It is the process by which the receiver interprets the symbols used by the source of the message by
converting them into concepts and ideas.
A. Decoding
B. Listing
C. Encoding
D. Feedback

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 1
Look for words which is associated with ‘communication’ using the letters C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E.

C O M M U N I C A T E

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LEARNING GUIDE

Communication is derived from the Latin word communicare, which means “to share” or “to make
common”. So, we define communication as the act or process of exchanging information for a common
understanding. As an act or process of conveying intended meanings, communication involves two or
more parties using mutually understood words, signs, codes, and gestures to express one’s thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors. It may be in the form of speaking or writing, face-to-face or via phone and other
media such as email, social media including Facebook, Instagram, twitter, etc.

WHAT IS ORAL COMMUNICATION?

it is the process of verbally transmitting one’s ideas or feelings to others. Effective oral communication
will take you to academic, career, and relationship success. Thus, you need to learn how to speak
effectively in order to convince others and promote respect and understanding, as you are post millennial
who will soon work in a culturally diverse global workplace. You will learn to communicate in various
contexts including interpersonal communication, small group discussions, public speaking, etc.

There are two types of Oral Communication: informal and formal. Informal oral communication
includes face-to-face conversations, telephone conversations, and casual discussions in class and
organizations. Examples of formal oral communication are presentations in conferences, forums, or
business meetings; class lectures; and delivering a speech, sermon, or talk.

NATURE OF COMMUNICATION

1. Communication is a process.
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and receiver).

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3. Communication can be expressed through words (verbal), actions (nonverbal), or both at the same
time.

PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION

Communication is a complex, interactive, and dynamic process. It changes from one setting or situation
to another and from one rule to another. To understand better study closely the flow chart below.

PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION EXAMPLES

The speaker generates an idea. Daphne loves Rico as a friend.

The speaker encodes an idea or converts the idea She thinks of how to tell him using their native
into words or actions. language.

The speaker transmits or sends out a message. She tells him, “Rico, mahal kita bilang kaibigan.”

The receiver gets the message. Rico hears what Daphne says.

The receiver decodes or interprets the message He tries to analyze what she means, and he is
based on the context. heartbroken.

The receiver sends or provides feedback.

He frowns and does not say something, because he
is in pain.

Elements of Communication

Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its mechanics or process.
These elements are the following:

Speaker - the source of information or message

Message - the information, ideas, or thought conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions

Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the speaker
understands

Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or non-verbal, in which the
encoded message is conveyed
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Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver

Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message

Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver

Context – the environment where communication takes place

Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication

Models of Communication

1. Shannon-Weaver Model

Known as the mother of all communication models, the Shannon-weaver model (1949) depicts
communication as 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 form the signal); and a destination.

This model, however, has been criticized for missing one essential element in the communication
process: feedback. Without feedback, the speaker will not know whether the receiver understands the
message or not.

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2. Transaction Model

Unlike the Shannon-Weaver model, which is a one-way process, the transaction model is a two-way
process with the inclusion of feedback as one element.

This model is more interactive. There is a collaborative exchange of messages between communication
with the aim of understanding each other. It also shows that a barrier, such as noise, may interfere with
the flow of communication.

LEARNING ASSESSMENTS
TASK 1

1. Create a two-minute video presentation that reflects your understanding of what

“communication” is about.

TASK 2
1. Study the diagram below. It represents the Schramm model.

Schramm (1954) modified the Shannon-Weaver model. What has Schramm added to the
ShannonWeavers model? Is the new model comprehensive? Why do you think so? How is it
different from or similar to the transaction model?

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 Schramm Model

Prepared by:

JOEMAR B. PAQUITA,LPT
SHS FACULTY

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