Lesson 1: The Definition and the Process of Communication

Time Frame: Lesson 1, Session 1

What is Communication?

✔ It is a process of exchanging and developing ideas to achieve a goal or purpose.

✔ It comes from Latin term communicare which means “to share” or “to be in relation with.” Therefore,
communication brings people together or an experience shared by individuals who eventually establish
relationships or communities.
✔ According to Wood (2004), communication is a systematic process in which individuals interact with and through
symbols to create and interpret meanings. The process is involved how sender and receiver encode and
decode the message. 

Nature of Communication

1. It is DYNAMIC and a PROCESS

✔ It is creative, continuing condition of life, a process that changes as the communicator’s environments and
needs change. Many words have become obsolete, trite, or altered in their meanings while new words
have evolved. Example: The use of Po and Opo when talking to elders have now been slowly not
practiced.
2. It is SYSTEMATIC
 ✔ It involves many parts of a larger system including: context; the “rules basis” of a culture; location;
occasion; time; and number of people. Example: Julie consults a Doctor. They both take turns talking as
the consultation progresses.
3. It is SYMBOLIC
✔ Symbols, verbal (words) and non-verbal (bodily gestures, tone of voice, etc.) are basis of language.
Example: When there is smoke, there is fire.
4. It is ADAPTIVE
✔ It must pay attention to the other person, to the topic, to the physical surroundings, to motives and needs,
and to other elements that we will study in this text. The ability to adjust and adapt to changing situation
is a characteristic of effective communication. Example: Teacher Carly was talking and laughing with her
co-workers about something funny. Then a student arrived and consulted for her advice. She went to the
student and talked with her privately.
5. It is CONTINUOUS
✔ It has no beginning and no end. We can consider communication as a product of a previous
communication event that proceeds to another communication situation.
Example: A research paper the Grade 10 students used as their reference for their own research paper.
6. It is a FLOW OF INFORMATION
✔ The sender expresses his/her ideas and feelings which the receiver interprets and understand. We
exchange ideas with the aim to understand one another’s message. Example: Jennie was sad about her
dead cat. She talked to her best friend Lisa about. Lisa then hugged her and patted her back for comfort.
Jennie somehow felt good after.
7. It is synonymous to INTERACTION
✔ We communicate with each other when we interact. Therefore, communication is seen as an instrument of
connectivity among people. Example: a group reporting will happen on the next day. So all group 1
members came together to brainstorm ideas.

PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION

Several models of communication have been made throughout the years. However, the model below is its basic form.
 Name: Strand &
Section:

Date:

Activity 1.
Directions: Write your answer on the space provided below.
1. Define communication in your own words. Choose an object inside your house to which you can
compare communication to. Be creative with your answer.

Assessment 1
Directions: Write your answer on the space provided below.
1. Explain the nature and process of communication through giving examples.
Nature of communication – give 7 examples, one each nature
Process of communication – give 1 scenario following the basic elements

Direction: Identify what is asked. Write you answer before each item.
1. It is a process where people exchange ideas to achieve a harmonious
relationship.
2. It is a nature of communication where it uses a simple angry face to
communicate.
3. Claire was talking and laughing with her best friend when she received a
call from her boss. Upon answering, her tone became serious and her
volume turned normal. What nature of communication example is this?
4. Some Youtube vloggers call their fans different names like: Mga Kaigan; Angels; Bessy; and etc.. What
nature of communication example is this?
5. Rhea sent an application letter through online. What communication
process is this?