Communication is a process of exchanging thoughts, ideas, and opinions to connect with other people.

Its
goal is to achieve a clear and effective understanding resulting to good relationships in the community.
However, there are times when this goal is not reached due to certain factors. When this happens, there is
communication breakdown.

Barriers to Communication
Physical Barriers are the natural or environmental condition that act as a barrier in communication in
sending the message from sender to receiver.
Examples:
1. People talking too loudly
2. Noise from a construction site
3. Loud sound of a karaoke
4. Blaring of jeepney horns

Psychological Barriers are called as mental barriers. These refer to social and personal issues of a
speaker towards communicating with others.
Examples:
1. trauma
2. shyness, lack of confidence
3. depression
4. fear, stage fright

Cultural Barriers pertain to communication problems encountered by people regarding their intrinsic
values, beliefs, and traditions in conflict with others. People’s culture affects the way they communicate
and relate to others
Examples:
1. different beliefs
2. traditions, and customs
3. manners of dressing
4. speaking

Linguistic Barriers pertain conflicts regarding language and word meanings. Because words carry
denotative and connotative meanings, they can sometimes cause confusion and misunderstanding.
Meaning of words and
symbols also vary depending on culture.
Examples:
1. difference in language
2. accent and dialect
3. use of jargon and slang
4. speech defects or language impairments

Verderber (1991) gives a similar idea of barrier when he classifies noise into three kinds: External, Internal
and Semantic noise.

External Noises are the “sight, sound and other stimuli that draw people’s attention away from intended
meaning.”
Examples:
1. noise from vehicles
2. singing at the neighborhood
3. visual aids in front of the classroom
4. the dog barking
5. the sound of airplane

Internal noises are the “thoughts and feelings that interfere with meaning.”
Examples:
1. confrontation with a friend
2. fear of speaking in front of the class.
 3. racial prejudice

Semantic noises are the “alternate meanings aroused by a speaker’s symbols.” This idea means that a
word may have another meaning in the minds of the students. This is affected by the language in which
they grew and the culture in which they are exposed.
Examples:
1. incorrect grammar
2. using excessive technical jargon
3. using idiomatic expressions

ON A ¼ SHEET OF PAPER, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING. MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF
THE QUESTIONS ON YOUR NOTEBOOK.

Identify the kind of communication barrier exemplified by each description. Tell whether it is Physiological,
Psychological, Cultural, or Linguistic Barrier.
______________________ 1. lack of confidence
______________________ 2. connotative and denotative meaning
______________________ 3. loud party
______________________ 4. different races
______________________ 5. poor lighting
______________________ 6. lack of interest and attention
______________________ 7. different views and opinions
______________________ 8. using idiomatic expressions
______________________ 9. information overload
______________________ 10. feel frustrated

3. racial prejudice

Semantic noises are the “alternate meanings aroused by a speaker’s symbols.” This idea means that a
word may have another meaning in the minds of the students. This is affected by the language in which
they grew and the culture in which they are exposed.
Examples:
1. incorrect grammar
2. using excessive technical jargon
3. using idiomatic expressions

ON A ¼ SHEET OF PAPER, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING. MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF
THE QUESTIONS ON YOUR NOTEBOOK.

Identify the kind of communication barrier exemplified by each description. Tell whether it is Physiological,
Psychological, Cultural, or Linguistic Barrier.
______________________ 1. lack of confidence
______________________ 2. connotative and denotative meaning
______________________ 3. loud party
______________________ 4. different races
______________________ 5. poor lighting
______________________ 6. lack of interest and attention
______________________ 7. different views and opinions
______________________ 8. using idiomatic expressions
______________________ 9. information overload
______________________ 10. feel frustrated
Functions of Communications

Based on your daily routine, what functions of communication do you often use? Explain why those
functions are the most useful in your daily activities. Give specific situation to better illustrate your
answer.

Example:
Control and Regulation – My parent/ guardian always remind me to go home right after class.

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Watch a morning or prime time news and fill out the box below with the different verbal and nonverbal
cues used by the news anchor/s and news reporters in delivering news. Write at least 5 observations or
samples of oral communication activities and identify the aspect of verbal communication used. Tell
whether Relevance, Brevity, Clarity, Ethics and Vividness. To make your viewing activity complete, observe
also on the nonverbal cues that the anchors and reporters used in the entire news broadcasting. An
example is provided for you below.

Example:
Newscast: 24 Oras
News Anchors: Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales and Atom Araulio
Airing Date: May 21, 2020
Type of Observed Verbal Activities Observed Nonverbal
Communication Used Activities
1. Ethics 1. The anchor greeted the televiewers in the
opening of the program.
Jessica Soho: “Magandang gabi! Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao.”

***Prepare for a quiz about Communication Breakdown, Functions of Communications, and Verbal and
Nonverbal Communication.

Types of Speech Context

Activity 1: Answer the following questions:
1. Based on what you have learned from the previous activities, how would you define speech context in
your own words?
2. As a senior high school student, what do you think is the advantage of having good communication
skills in a variety of contexts? Do you think it will help you improve your personality? Why or why not?
3. Do you agree with this statement: Speech context can influence one’s behavior? Why/Why not?
4. Which of the types of speech context do you find easy and difficult to practice? What should you do to
improve your skills?

Activity 2: Using the graphic organizer below, describe each type of speech context and give three (3)
examples for each.