ACADEMIA SYSTEM GLOBAL COLLEGES

Brgy. Tabunok, City of Talisay, Cebu, Philippines

Subject Code: CORE06 Subject Title: Oral Communication in Context
Module No: 1 Topic: The Nature of Communication
Teacher:

I. OVERVIEW
Hello, Academians! This is Miss Jao. As we start our journey together in this module, I’d like you to
think about these questions:
How do you find talking with other people?
How much do you shake hands and sing with them?
Do you speak with strangers? Sure? How does it go?
How do you feel talking to them?
Why do many parents advise their children not to talk to strangers?
What do you need to learn here? To answer this question, you need to read thoroughly and understand
the need -to-know information here as you go through the insides of how do we justify
COMMUNICATION and how do we do it effectively. Are you doing it right when you talk to your friends,
parents, teachers, or else? Enjoy reading.

A. Learning Competency
The learners will be able to:
(1) explain the functions, nature and process of communication (EN11/12OC-Ia-2).
B. Specific Learning Objectives
The learners will be able to:
(1) define communication; and
(2) determine the nature of communication.
II. LET’S BEGIN

Before going over, please watch the video titled “An Italian Man who Went to Malta” using this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2vqAwNEW 8

Now, what have you noticed regarding the conversation of the people involved in the clip? Do you think there is
communication happening?

These quick video-review and questions will lead you to the topic you are to learn for this module about
communication. Rediscover how the process of communication works, and answer the provided exercise/s to
assess your grasp of the lesson.
Video retried from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2vqAwNEW8

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 1

 III. LET’S DIG DEEPER
COMMUNICATION

What is communication?
Communication comes from the Latin term “communis” which means to share and inform ideas, feelings,
etc.; and “communicare” which means to make common to many, share.”

Communication is a process of sharing experiences among people that is clear and understandable (Hamilton
2005; Tubbs 2013). Furthermore, communication can be defined as “a systematic process by which people interact
through the exchange of verbal and nonverbal symbols to create and interpret meanings.”
This connotes sharing our thoughts, emotions, and knowledge to others using a certain code (culture) and symbols
(language) that must be learned and shared between communicators. Say, a Japanese girl is asking a Filipino boy for
directions. For the two of them to communicate they must establish commonality in language first and foremost;
otherwise, no communication will take place between them.

There are three major presuppositions that every communicator needs to consider before striking
a conversation: (1) Language, (2) Topic or Subject Matter, and (3) Context.

1. Language is considered one of the elements of culture. It is the system of words or signs that a
particular group of people use to express thoughts and feelings with each other; hence, if you do
not belong to the same group or culture, you do not speak the same language.

As you browse different books, you will notice that there are various aspects that authors describe
in the process of communication. It may be verbal or nonverbal.

Verbal Communication makes use of words in the process of sending and receiving messages. The
modes of verbal communication are oral and written communication.

a. Written Communication is sending and receiving messages through written symbols,

such as language. It uses traditional pen and paper or electronic gadgets such as
computer, tablets and laptops, and takes the form of letters, e-mails, SMS, private
messages or text chats, memos, reports, proposals, and printed advertisements. Such
types of communication entails reading and writing skills.

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 2

 b. Oral Communication includes listening and speaking skills.
This mode of communication may be done through face -to-
face interaction with a person or a group, or through
electronic means such as telephones or cell phones, video
conferencing, or any other medium. Talking with your friends
over the phone conducting seminars or lectures, delivering a
speech in front of a big audience, and presenting business proposals are examples of
formal oral presentations.

Nonverbal Communication is sending and receiving messages without the use of words;
instead, nonverbal language is used such as facial expressions and body movements,
among others. Although nonverbal language can communicate by itself, it makes oral
communication more effective when it is used appropriately.

2. Topic or Subject Matter is what the communicators are trying to share. This may be their
thoughts, ideas, emotions, and knowledge. This can also be considered as the meaning in the
communication process.
3. Context is the situation in which the communication is taking place. These are the conditions that
exist when and where the communication is occurring and only the people involved in the process will
be able to understand their specific context. Sometimes people may be just joking with each other but
to some people listening to their conversation may perceive it otherwise because they may
understand the language and topic but not the context.
Creation and Interpretation of Meanings
Consider this: You receive a text message form a friend. You suddenly got angry because of that, but your
friend intends to offend you. Ending of that? You are now not in talking terms.
NOTE: The meaning you want your friend to receive out from the message you give may not be understood
the way you do in her perspective. (Why is that so?)
Communication occurs within contexts where meanings are created. Communicators create
and interpret meanings based on their past experiences, beliefs, values, goals, self-concept, and
cultural orientation. Since every communicator has a unique life orientation, no two individuals
may attribute the same meaning to a specific message or situation. Every communicator interprets,
or assigns a meaning differently based on their unique qualities. When a boy tells a girl he loves
her, his purpose may be different from what the girl thinks. Therefore, the girl may interpret his
message differently from what he truly means. When a professor informs a student that their
research work needs improvement, it could mean many things. How much improvement is
needed? Does the professor mean that the student is a lousy writer? The interesting cartoon below
illustrates what American communications scientist David Berlo once said, “Meanings are not in
words but in people.”

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 3

 What are the two types of Communication?
1
Intrapersonal Communication
and2Interpersonal Communication
1. Intrapersonal communication
is a highly metacognitive process where you organize
your
thoughts into coherent ideas before representing them in relevant symbols and signs that the
person you are communicating with can understand. You may have observed yourself by now
that you think in mental images and not in words, unless youally
arereading
initi a text.

Say, someone asks you the following questions.

1. Who is your ideal man/woman?
2. What is your favorite pet?
3. What is your favorite food?
4. Where do you live?

What was exactly in your mind when you were processing these questions?
You were sifting mental
images in your mind, weren’t you? This is exactlyINTRAPERSONAL
what COMMUNICATION means.
Intrapersonal is one aspect of communication where we process information.

2. Interpersonal communication
takes place between two or more people
where one
initially starts the conversation (source) and the listener/s (receiver/s) processes the
information (message) conveyed to them through a chosen medium (channel) chosen by
the source either via oral form, print or
-print
non material, verbal and
nonverbal cues. Let
us look at the diagram to better understand the interplay between intrapersonal and
interpersonal communication.

Content images retrieved from: Google Images

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 4

 IV.WE’RE ON OUR WAY
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Direction: Read and analyze carefully the items and round the letter of your answer.
1. This connotes sharing our thoughts, emotions, and knowledge to others using a certain code (culture) and
symbols (language) that must be learned and shared between communicators.
A. Communication B. Context C. Culture D. Language
2. The following are the three major presuppositions that every communicator needs to consider before
striking a conversation EXCEPT.
A. Culture B. Language C. Context D. Subject matter
3. Syra is practicing for their group presentation. She is rehearsing the things she will say in front of the mirror
while Janine practice their group presentation with the groupmates and they give feedback afterwards. How
will you distinguish the nature of the two girls’ communication?
A. Syra’s way is interpersonal communication while Janine’s way is intrapersonal communication.
B. Janine’s way is interpersonal communication while Syra’s way is intrapersonal communication.
C. Syra’s way is linear communication while Janine’s way is interactive communication.
Janine’s way is interactive communication while Syra’s way is linear communication. Refer to the text below to
answer numbers 4-6.
Language and Culture

The influence and power of language is meaningful to cultural and ethnic group members. In each
speech community -- ethnic, racial, cultural or gender-related -- language use is of vital importance. Each
speech community has its norms, forms and codes for communication. The interactions of a group of people
vary in many aspects: in frequency and value of speaking, interpretation of speaking performances, and shared
language forms. The speech community maintains the norms and rules of communication, but it may gradually
change them. On the other hand, in every speech community there is a degree of individual deviation from the
norms. Not all group members communicate in the same way.
The group members share a speech code, a system of symbols, signs, meanings and rules in a specific situation
and interaction. Several aspects, like the relationship, age, gender, social status, and generation, affect
communication. Likewise, the proportion of verbal and nonverbal communication vary in different speech
communities.

Rules of speaking determine what is appropriate and inappropriate in a situation with communication partners.
We are automatically aware of what to say and not to say, and in what a way.

Rules of interaction help a person to know how to act towards others in a particular situation.

Language is not only used as a means of communication, but also as a marker or indicator the speaker’s cultural
identity. The identity is communicated through a particular language use during interaction (discourse markers).
Certain types of expressions are used to express belonging to a group, but likewise they are sometimes used to
exclude, separate, or discriminate.
Retrieved from https://moniviestin.jyu.fi/ohjelmat/hum/viesti/en/ics/15

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 5

 4. The message of the text is related to the idea of ___________________.
A. Context C. Globalization
B. Language D. Intercultural communication

5. What is the importance of language?

A. Language sometimes used to exclude others.
B. Language plays a vital role in communication especially in speech context.
C. Language is an indicator of the commonality of people in the world, and it represents who we are as a
human.
D. Language is a representation of one’s social status and how does it effect on how he sees society and how
society views him in return.

V.HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE?

MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Direction: Read and analyze carefully the items and round the letter of your answer.

1. How does one same language vary from one another?

A. It varies on forms and usage.
B. It varies on the usage of every speech community that develops language culture.
C. Languages look and sound the same but they are not the same in any form and in any function.
D. Language serves as a tool to establish and change the culture on one speech community to the other.
2. The following are presupposition of what every communicator should possess EXCEPT…
A. Proficiency of the language of communication
B. Familiarity with the person having communication with
C. Familiarity of the topic or subject matter of the communication
D. Understanding of the context or environment of the communication
3. Which of the following best explains contexts as an element of communication?
A. These are the conditions that exist when and where the communication is occurring.
B. These are the words, ideas and situations that people share in a communication process.
C. This may be thoughts, ideas, emotions and knowledge that people share in a communication process.
D. It is the system of words or signs that a particular group of people use to express thoughts and feelings with
each other.
4. It is considered as one of the elements of culture which means the system of words or signs that a particular
group of people use to express thoughts and feelings with each other.
A. Context B. Encoding C. Language D. Topic/Subject Matter
5. This is what the communicators are trying to share. This may be their thoughts, ideas, emotions, and knowledge.
a. Context B. Encoding C. Language D. Topic/Subject Matter

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 6

 VI. REFERENCES

ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT. (2016, October 14). Retrieved July 23, 2020, from
https://oralcom.wordpress.com/

Pinzon, M. L., & Jamandre, N. F. (2017). Power SPEAC: Oral Communication in Context. Abiva Bldg., 851 G.
Araneta Ave., Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House.

ORAL COMMUNIATION IN CONTEXT | MODULE 1 Page 7