BAM 006: Business Communication

Module #2 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Lesson title: Barriers to Effective Business Communication Materials

Learning Targets: Students’ activity sheets
References
At the end of the module, students will be able to: IT and Business Process
1. Identify the barriers to business communication Association of the Philippines.
2. Differentiate verbal from non-verbal barriers Business Communication
3. Constructing and analyzing scenarios illustrating Teacher’s Guide. 2013
business communication barriers

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

Introduction

It is another day in your Business Communication. Before we begin, let us review

your communication model.

B.MAIN LESSON

Content Notes (13 mins)

A. Read and understand the diagram

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 BAM 006: Business Communication
Module #2 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Barriers to Business Communication

Verbal Nonverbal

Inadequate Knowledge or
Inappropriate or Conflicting
Vocabulary
Signals

Differences in Interpretation Difference in Perception

Language Differences
Inappropriate Emotions

Inappropriate Use of Environmental Distractions

Expressions
Over abstraction and
Ambiguity

B. Understand the short text on communication.  Highlight important terms and details

Business Communication Barriers

Verbal Barriers
1. Inadequate Knowledge or Vocabulary
Understand the short text on communication.  Highlight important terms and details
Before you begin to think about how you will communicate an idea, you must have sufficient
knowledge about the topic to know what you want to say.
2. Differences in Interpretation
Sometimes senders and receivers attribute different meanings to the same word or attribute the
same meaning to different words. When this happens, miscommunication can occur.

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 BAM 006: Business Communication
Module #2 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

3. Language Differences
This includes the nuances of the same language. For instance, the English language may have different
pronunciation, terms, expressions depending on whose English language it is (American, Australian,
British, Filipino, Singaporean).
4. Inappropriate Use of Expressions
Examples include: slang, jargon, and euphemisms.
5. Over abstraction and Ambiguity
An abstract word identifies an idea or a feeling instead of a concrete object. For example,
communication is an abstract word, whereas memorandum is a concrete word, a word that identifies
something that can be seen or touched.

Nonverbal Barriers

1. Inappropriate or Conflicting Signals

When we say one thing—for example, that we are pleased to meet someone—but our actions, posture,
or expression suggests something contradictory, others will usually believe what we do rather than
what we say.
2. Difference in Perception
This may be influenced by people’s differences in orientation, exposure or experience, knowledge,
values etc.
3. Inappropriate Emotions
It is generally more effective to depend on logic instead of emotions when communicating. Expressions
are groups of words whose intended meanings are different from their literal interpretations.
4. Environmental Distractions
Any environmental or competing element that restricts one’s ability to concentrate on the
communication task hinders effective communication.

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 BAM 006: Business Communication
Module #2 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Skill-building 1

A. Now, you are going analyze the situation below and write down the communication barrier
that is being described in each scenario. I know you can do it! Start now!

____________________1) Simardyl is a new employee of Zeroil Company. His boss told him to
observe the 3PM rule. When 3PM came, Simardyl was not able to follow the said rule. What verbal
barrier was evident?

____________________2) Delle was mad with Dee because he did not do his job well. As a
result, she ignored him. When Dee asked her what’s wrong, Delle said, “nothing is wrong” while
giving him an angry face. What do you think is the nonverbal barrier there?

Analyze the situations in Skill-building 1, think of ways on how to minimize the barrier.

1. 2.

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 BAM 006: Business Communication
Module #2 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Check for Understanding

____________________1) Cris told Ria to get the tape in his table. When Ria returned, she gave him
a scotch tape. But what Cris meant was the recording device.
____________________2) You extended your hand for a handshake to someone you just met as a
sign of a close deal. But that person refused, and simply gave you an
awkward smirk.
____________________3) Kate was smiling because she remembered something funny. However, she
was doing this in the middle of the CEO’s speech. So, her immediate
supervisor warned her about that.
C. LESSON WRAP-UP

Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

1. What is 1 question you still have?

2. What activities did you like? Why?

3. What kind of activities help you learn better?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
FAQs
Q: How can communication barriers affect a business?

A: Barriers may lead message becoming distorted and therefore risk wasting both time and/or money by
causing confusion and misunderstanding. Effective communication involves overcoming these barriers
and conveying a clear and concise message.

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Skill-building 1

1. Inappropriate Use of Expressions

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 BAM 006: Business Communication
Module #2 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

2. Inappropriate or Conflicting Signals

NOTE: Answers may vary. You may also have a different answer or wordings. Check if your answer is
similar or close to the model answer.

1. Simardyl should have 2.Delle should have told Dee

asked his boss about the what she really feels or what
3PM/ His boss should have the problem is.
explained what the 3 PM
habit is

1) Verbal
2) Nonverbal
3) Nonverbal

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