Module 1

Understanding 21st Century

Communication (Part A) Prepared by:
Maria Teresa S. Bonggot

Instructors:
Maria Teresa S. Bonggot
Francis Ducusin
Yolanda Patio

Module Duration:

Week 2 – 3

GE001

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
 SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL COLLEGE
General Luna St., Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal
Tel. No. (02) 997-9070
www.smmc.edu.ph

MODULE 1
UNDERSTANDING 21ST CENTURY (Part A)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After this module the students are expected to:

✓ explain the principles and processes of communication and the ethical considerations in communication;
✓ elucidate how communication skills help resolve problems, better understand new concepts and aid profession;
✓ frame a slogan about how the knowledge of the communication process aids people in communicating effectively;
✓ write a reaction paper on communication challenges in a global atmosphere and methods for effective and ethical
global communication;
✓ create a two-minute informative video about communication and globalization;
✓ cite examples on how to enhance one’s ability to communicate with people from diverse cultures; and
✓ create a three-to four-minute presentation about various cultural modes of communication of a certain country.

INPUT INFORMATION

LESSON 1: Communication Processes, Principles and Ethics

Why do we communicate?

What might happen to the world if

communication does not exist?

Why do miscommunications and

misunderstandings happen? Image from https://emojiterra.com/thinking-face/

Communication is inevitable. Our need for self-expression leads us to communicate not only our thoughts but also our
feelings. Communication may be done verbally or non-verbally. A simple yawn from a member of the audience in a public
speaking engagement is a non-verbal message sent to the speaker. On the other hand, a phone call inquiring about a certain
product is an example of a verbal message.

Communication is understood as the process of meaning-making through a channel or a medium. It comes from the
Latin communicares, meaning to share or to make ideas common. The connection that encompasses interaction among
partakers is at the center of your learning of communication.

The Components of Communication Process

Understanding the communication process may help you become a better communicator.

1. Source

The sender carefully crafts the message. The sender may be anyone: an author of a book, a public speaker in a special occasion
or even a traffic enforcer.
2. Message

The message is the reason behind any interaction. It is the meaning shared between the sender and the receiver. Messages
take many forms. They could mean poems, songs, essays, news articles, road signs and even symbols.

3. Channel

The channel is the means by which a message is conveyed. When we answer a phone call, the phone is the channel. On the
other hand, when your parents receive a notification of your absences from school, the channel is a letter. It is the responsibility
of both the sender and the receiver to choose the best channel for interaction.

4. Receiver

The receiver is the person who receives the transmitted message. The receiver may be a part of an audience in a public speaking
event, a reader of a letter or a driver who reads roads sign. The receiver is expected to read carefully, to be aware of different
kinds of sender, to jot down information when needed, to provide response and to ask questions for clarification.

5. Feedback

In any communication scenario, feedback is essential to confirm recipient understanding. Feedbacks, like messages,
are expressed in varied forms. A simple nod for a question or verification is considered feedback. Thus, feedbacks may be
written, spoken, or acted out.

6. Environment

The place, the feeling, the mood, the mindset and the condition of both sender and receiver are called the
environment. The environment may involve the physical set-up of a location where communication takes place, the space
occupied by both the sender and receiver, including the objects surrounding the sender and receiver.

7. Context

Context involves the expectations of the sender and the receiver and the common or shared understanding through
the environmental signals.

8. Interference

Interference is also known as barrier or block that prevents effective communication to take place.

Kinds of interference

a. Psychological barriers are thoughts that hamper the message to be interpreted correctly by the receiver.
b. Physical barriers include competing stimulus, weather and climate, health and ignorance of the medium.
c. Linguistic and cultural barriers pertain to the language and its cultural environment. Words may mean another in
different cultures.
d. Mechanical barriers are those raised by the channels employed for interpersonal, group or mass communication.
These include cellphones, laptops, and other gadgets used in communication.

The Nine Principles of Effective Communication

Michael Osborn (2009) claims that communication must meet certain standards for effective communication to take
place.

1. Clarity
Clarity makes speeches understandable. - Fuzzy language is absolutely forbidden, as are jargons, cliché
expressions, euphemisms and doublespeak language.

2. Concreteness
Concreteness reduces misunderstandings. - Messages must be supported by facts such as research data, statistics
or figures. To achieve concreteness, abstract words must be avoided.

3. Courtesy
Courtesy builds goodwill It involves being polite in terms of approach and manner of addressing an individual.
4. Correctness
Glaring mistakes in grammar obscures the meaning of a sentence - the misuse of language can damage your
credibility.

5. Consideration
Messages must be geared towards the audience. - The sender of a message must consider the recipient's
profession, level of education, race, ethnicity, hobbies, interests, passions, advocates and age when drafting or delivering a
message.

6. Creativity
Creativity in communication means having the ability to craft interesting messages in terms of sentence structure and
word choice.

7. Conciseness
Simplicity and directness help you to be concise. - Avoid using lengthy expressions and words that may confuse the
recipient.

8. Cultural Sensitivity
Today, with the increasing emphasis on empowering diverse cultures. lifestyles, and races and the pursuit for gender
equality, cultural sensitivity becomes an important standard for effective communication.

9. Captivating
You must strive to make messages interesting to command more attention and better responses

Ethical Considerations in Communication

Ethics – is a branch of philosophy that focuses on issues of right and wrong in human affairs.

Ethical Communicators:

1. Respect audience
2. Consider the result of communication
3. Value truth.
4. Use information correctly
5. Do not falsify information

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

➢ Illustrate the communication process through a diagram.

➢ Identify possible communication blocks in the following situations:
a. a written letter of complaint
b. interaction between a nurse and a patient in pain
c. songs with figurative language
➢ List various channels through which personnel of your university connect with you. Which channel(s) do you find
most effective? Why?
➢ Through a slogan, state how the knowledge of the communication process aids people in communicating effectively.
LESSON 2: Communication and Globalization

What is the image saying

about the world today?

Image from https://www.peakpx.com/en/hd-wallpaper-desktop-

gyovg

Globalization is the communication and assimilation among individuals, ethnicities, races, institutions, governments
of various nations supported by technology and compelled by international trade. - Due to globalization, the more you become
exposed to diversity – the valuing of the uniqueness or differences in gender preference, color, age, religious affiliation,
ethnicity, education, social and economic status and political beliefs.

Globalization is not a new process or concept. Years before the advent of technology, people had been purchasing
and selling each other properties, goods and other objects of certain value.

Communication has since been increasingly global, blurring national boundaries. The ability to communicate
effectively in a global setting can be a challenge. To effectively communicate in a global context, a general understanding of
the differences in conducting communication from one country to another or from one culture to another helps avoid
miscommunication. People's background and experiences influence their view of the world and the values, beliefs and
behavior patterns assumed to be good.

The following are possible cultural barriers to effective communication in a global environment:

1. Cultural relativism
2. Lack of knowledge of others’ culture
3. Discrimination and harassment
4. Language differences

LESSON 3: Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

How do you get to communicate effectively across cultures? Indicate whether you agree
or disagree with each of the following statements:

1. I am interested in interacting with people who are both like me and different from
me.
2. I am sensitive to the concerns of all minority and majority groups in our
multicultural country.
3. I can sense when persons from other cultures seem not to understand me or get
confused by my actions.
4. I have no fear communicating with persons from both minor and major cultural
groups.
5. People from other cultures may get angry with my cultural affiliates.
6. I deal with conflicts with people from other cultures depending on the situation and
their cultural background.
7. My culture is inferior to other cultures.
8. I can manage my behavior when dealing with people of different cultures.

Note: The more number of agreements you have indicates the more prepared you are in
expanding your communication arena by welcoming people from different cultures.
 Living in a globalized world, you encounter people with diverse cultural backgrounds. Such interactions occur in
social, educational, political and commerce settings. Hence, in today's era of increased global communication, it is imperative
to understand intercultural communication for us to enhance our intercultural awareness and competence. Intercultural
competence is essential for us to live harmoniously despite differences in culture.

Intercultural communication – refers to interaction with people from diverse cultures (Jandt, 1998).

Forms of Intercultural Communication (Jandt, 1998)

1. Interracial communication – communicating with people from different races

2. Interethnic communication – interacting with people of different ethnic origins
3. International communication – communicating between representatives from different nations
4. Intracultural communication – interacting with members of the same racial or ethnic group or coculture

According to Gamble and Gamble (2008), communication style among cultures differs; it may be high-context or low-
context communication.

• High-context communication – is a tradition-linked communication system which adheres strongly to being indirect
• Low-context communication – is a system that works on straightforward communication.

Improving Intercultural Communication Competence

The following guidelines may help you enhance your ability to communicate effectively across cultures (Gamble &
Gamble, 2008).

1. Recognize the validity and differences of communication styles among people.

2. Learn to eliminate personal biases and prejudices.
3. Strive to acquire communication skills necessary in a multicultural world.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

➢ Watch the video “Wiring a Web for a Global Good” ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rrJAC84FA ). Study the
speech. In a form of reaction paper, answer the following questions:
a. What global issues have emerged because of miscommunication?
b. How can effective communication and language use contribute to the creation of a truly global society?
➢ Based on the discussion on communication and globalization, create a two-minute informative video focusing on the
following:
a. Characteristics of globalization
b. Advantages of globalization
c. Effects of globalization in language and use and communication.

ASSIGNMENT
➢ Continue the given phrases to make a paragraph:
❖ In the lesson, Communication Processes, Principles and Ethics, I learned that to be an effective and ethical
communicator, I…
❖ In the lesson on Communication and Globalization, I learned that to be a global communicator, I…

LEARNING RESOURCES

• Wakat, G. S., Caroy, A. A., Paulino F. B., Jose, M. J., Ordonio, M. M., Palangyos, A. C., Palangyos, M. S., Dizon, E.
J., Dela Cruz, A. E., Sao-an M. B., (2018). Purposive communication. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.
• https://emojiterra.com/thinking-face/
• https://www.peakpx.com/en/hd-wallpaper-desktop-gyovg