Lesson I – THE NATURE OF COMMUNICATION: AN OVERVIEW

Lecture Notes

1. Communication: The Learning Unfolds

1.1 We are a social being… this is the reason why we have to get along well with
people every day.

1.2 It is our ability to communicate that makes us different from all other living things;
Communication is our instrument for human interaction; it is our means of
understanding.

1.3 The words which we speak are reflections of your personality; they are the
products of our feelings and thoughts, your values and attitudes (Martinez and
Fermin, 2006, p.1)

1.4 We communicate so much; we listen, speak, read and write every day – of all the
activities, it is in speaking where you are engaged more often.

1.5 In fact, 60% of our active hours is spent in communicating (Martinez and Fermin,
2006, p.1 citing Tan in 1997, p.35)

1.6 Apparently, communication is indispensible to us!... since it is very much part of

our life, we have to use it effectively.

2. Functions of Communication
2.1 Communication connects one person with another.
2.2 Communication develops high mental processes.
2.3 Communication regulates speech itself.
2.4 Communication serves as an important factor in the preservation of one’s heritage.

3. Essential Characteristics of Communication

3.1 Communication is purposive.
3.2 Communication involves interaction.
3.3 Communication is transitory.
3.4 Communication occurs in specific settings.
3.5 Communication is influenced by the fields of experience of the
communicator/speaker.
3.6 Communication does not contain the usual cues of writing.
4. Views on Communication
4.1 Communication connects people.
4.2 Communication starts relationships.
4.3 Communication involves sharing.

5. Significance of Effective Communication

5.1 Human beings are constantly communicating in both decoding and encoding
messages; we spend almost 70% of our communication as speakers.

5.2 Because we spend so much time in verbal communication, effective

communication skills are important to all of us; this is the reason why you
are enrolled in an Oral Communication subject – to enhance your
communication skills and to become a more dynamic, competent, effective,
and elegant communicator.
5.3 Generally, the most successful people in schools, offices, hospitals, hotels,
and other industries are those who have excellent communication skills.

6. Obstacles (or barriers) to effective communication

6.1 Self-Image
This includes negative self-esteem indifferent behavior, poor social skills and
negative thoughts over how people view us.
6.2 Perceptions toward others
Our perception of others can create obstacles such as insulting people,
stereotyping, or by just ignoring them; we can avoid those by remembering that
each person is unique and does not deserve any preconditioned notions.
6.3 Noise
There are different classifications of noise which affects the communication
process: (A) internal noise – the thoughts and feelings that interfere with
meaning (B) semantic noise – sensory stimuli which draw people away from
intended meaning (C) semantic noise – these alternate meanings arouse
certain symbols that inhibit meaning (ex.Derogatory word)

7. Basic Functions of Communication

7.1 for interaction
7.2 for increasing our store of information
7.3 for better understanding of our self and the world which we live;
7.4 for changing people’s attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and actions and;
7.5 for making decisions