MODULE I Unit 1 SPEAKING vs. WRITING OBJECTIVES @ make you aware of the advantages and disadvantages of spoken and written communication discuss suitability of communication means to the situation © practice form-filling practice linking devices, punctuation, abbreviations discriminate between official and personal communication discriminate between registers and levels of formality 1. LEAD IN Human communication is a relatively new field of study and there is no single accepted theory or model of human communication. Most models refer to the key items of information source: sender/transmitter, channel, noise source (interference) and message destination (receiver). Other models include human | factors that affect the processing of messages, such as, differences in commu- nication skills, attitudes, knowledge, cultural variations, etc. Such models | cannot reflect the true complexities of the issue. (a) Could you give your own definition of what communication is ? (b) Can you mention different modes of communication ? How are they used ? 152. PRESENTATION ( 1. Read the following letter: September 17, 2000 Dear Mr. Liceanu Tam delighted to know that you will be taking part in Writing Business News, 19-30 November 2000. Details of the programme, accommodation and flight arrangements will be sent to you shortly. In the meantime, I would be grateful if you could senda certificate of good health from your doctor as soon as possible. This is necessary in order for us to confirm your participation in the programme. Would you also please send details of means by which we may communicate with you by the fastest possible route, e.g. telex no, facsimile no, and office telephone numbers. Please do not hesitate to contact us, or your local Office, if you have any queries or difficulties in the meantime. Yours sincerely Stephen Somer 1. Stephen Somer asks his Secretar’ arrangements for Mr. Tudor Li Se Maries tae it trays) ceanu’s flight to Britain. Listen to what he says, What 7 7 +. are the differenc and face-to-face instructions Stephen gives Med between the letter differences. (Tapescript 1) » Ntention atleast four2. Answer the following questions: (a) What are the advantages of communicating with someone face- to-face ? (>) Are there any disadvantages of this type of communication ? (c) What are the advantages of written communication 2 (d) Could you mention any disadvantages of communicating in writing? 3. Now complete the chart below: Type of communication Advantages Disadvantages Spoken Written 1. Could you suggest what the most effective means of communication (letter, fax, phone, face-to-face meeting) would be in the following situations? (a) you want to complain about the poor quality of the goods you bought, (b) you want to book tickets on the Paris-New York flight; (c) you have to negotiate a contract for the sale of an office building: (d) you want to change the date of your appointment with the general manager of a company; Pp Think of some factors that contribute to communication breakdowns and group them under various headings, such as: physical + linguistic + social ~ paychological 17