Oral Communication in Context
Ma’am Krisnelle Ann B. Corrales
PERFORMANCE TASK: BARRIER SKITS RUBRICS:
Instructions: Content and Relevance: 30%
o Class is divided into 6 groups (one per barrier). Creativity and Originality: 30%
o Each group creates a 4-minute skit that:
Collaboration: 15%
Shows a barrier in action
Demonstrates how it causes miscommunication Time Management: 15%
Provides a solution or way to overcome it Impact: 10%
Planning Time: 15 minutes TOTAL: 100%
Performance Time: 4 minutes per group (total of ~24 minutes)
Reminder: Use real-life relatable school or social situations!
GROUP 1 - Semantic barriers: Semantic barriers are also known as language barriers. These barriers are caused due to
improper communication between the sender and the receiver. The following instances of semantic barriers can be
witnessed in communication.
Poor quality of message: Message when communicated should be precise and easy to understand, that makes it easy
for the receiver to grasp the information conveyed.
Sometimes, due to the lack of clarity or complexity of the way of providing information from the sender, there can be
a case of semantic barriers.
For e.g. A manager is conversing in English to a group of workers who understand and speak Bengali. It will create
confusion among workers as they will not be able to understand what is being conveyed by the manager.
Technical language: Language barriers also arise when the sender of the message is speaking in technical terms while
the receiver is unaware of the terms. It creates confusion and misunderstanding between the sender and receiver by
acting as a barrier to effective communication.
GROUP 2 - Psychological Barriers: Psychological barriers play an important role in interpersonal communication as the
state of the mind of the sender or the receiver can make it difficult to understand the information that is conveyed, which
often leads to misunderstanding.
Here are some instances where psychological barriers to communication can be seen.
Premature evaluation of information by the receiver even before it is transmitted can lead to barriers in
communication, as it will create premature conclusion to the message, which withholds the original message.
Inadequate attention from the receiver’s end at the time of communication can lead to barriers of communication as
the information conveyed by the sender is not properly received by the receiver.
When information is passed within multiple sources, the final information is distorted as the receivers of the message
are not able to retain everything that was conveyed. This can cause communication barriers.
GROUP 3 - Organizational barriers: Organizational barriers are those barriers that are caused due to the structure, rules
and regulations present in the organization. These are the various types of barriers that can be encountered due to
superior-subordinate relationships where the free flow of communication is not possible.
Sometimes the complexity of organizational structure and multiple managers make it difficult to convey information
properly, and the information gets distorted leading to miscommunication.
Complex Hierarchy
Too many managerial levels can slow down or distort messages as they pass through different people.
Rigid Rules and Policies
Strict procedures may limit the freedom to communicate openly or spontaneously.
Lack of Communication Channels
When proper systems or platforms for communication are missing, messages are not delivered effectively.
Status Differences
Communication between superiors and subordinates may be hindered due to fear, authority gaps, or lack of openness.
Information Overload or Filtering
Important messages may be lost, diluted, or filtered when there is too much information or when people decide what
to pass on or withhold.
GROUP 4 - Cultural barriers: Cultural barriers are those that arise due to lack of similarities among the
different cultures across the world. A term that can be harmless in one culture can be regarded as a slang in
another culture. Moreover, various beliefs can differ from one culture to another.
GROUP 5 - Physical barriers: Physical barriers to communication are those that arise due to certain factors like faulty
equipment, environmental noise, closed doors and cabins that cause the information sent from sender to receiver to
become distorted, which results in improper communication.
GROUP 6 - Physiological barriers: Physiological barriers arise when a sender or the receiver of the communication is
not in a position to express or receive the message with clarity due to some physiological issues like dyslexia, or nerve
disorders that interfere with speech or hearing.
Oral Communication in Context
Ma’am Krisnelle Ann B. Corrales
