Mary the Queen College (Pampanga)

We Transform Lives

Senior High School Department

Subject Code: EN11/12OC-Ia Module No./Title: Module 1: Nature and

Elements of Communication
Subject Description: The development of Period of Coverage:
listening and speaking skills and strategies for
effective communication in various situations.

Introduction:

Understanding Communication
Turn up your Knowledge
How much time do you spend chatting with your friends? How often do you send text messages
to someone important to you? Do you notice that in almost all your activities from the moment you
open your eyes until sleeping time you still communicate?
The process of passing any information from one person to the other person with the aid of some
medium is termed as communication.
This lesson helps you learn about what communication is and how to process of oral
communication goes. It discusses elements of process of communication.

Objectives: After this lesson, the students should be able to learn the following:
a. Define the nature of communication.
b. Explain the nature and process of communication
c. Analyze speaking situation based on Dell Hymes paradigm.
d. Demonstrate sensitivity toward others in various communication situation.
Content:

Communication is derived from Latin word ‘communis’ and ‘communicare’ which denotes
commonality common or sharing and to make common share. Thus, we can say communication is
process of expressing and exchanging information, thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Since communication
is a process, it involves a series of actions that lead to a particular result such as the passing on of a
message and an exchange of ideas, among others.
Language is also an important part of communication. People use language to interact, build
relationships, and understand other people’s ideas. Even those who are not gifted with speech have
their own unique form of language.
Communication is also characterized by a social aspect. The relationship of the communication
affects the way they interact, and though the social aspect, successful communication happens because
people agree on the meaning of words and expressions. For example, people have to agree that the
phrase “Let the cat out of the bag” is an idiom which means “to reveal a secret” so that they can
understand each other when they use he idiom.
Communication can be verbal, in the form of sweet words whispered to a loved one or a text
message to a friend. It can be non-verbal, such as a smile a frown, or a thumb’s up gesture.
Nature of Communication
1. Communication is a dynamic process which means that it is not constant, but it changes.
2. In communication, messages are sent, not meanings.

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3. Communication takes many forms.
4. Communication is an interactive process.
5. In communication, contest should be given emphasis.
6. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).
Process of Communication
Communication is a
process and, as such, it comes in
stages. It starts with the
encoding and ends with the
decoding. The encoder is more
popularly known as the sender
of the message. He transmits his
message to the receiver, a more
popular term for decoder of the
message. The recipient tries to
understand the message, and if
he does, communication takes
place. He may then, give his
feedback. If there is a continuous exchange of message between the sender and the receiver,
particularly in oral discourse, communication takes form of a cycle as shown below.
Dell Hymes’ SPEAKING paradigm
A speaker must have a good command of the language he uses for communication. He ought to
be proficient orally. To attain proficiency in oral communication, a speaker should consider in every
speaking situation the element that make up the SPEAKING paradigm devised by Dell Hymes. These
elements are as follows:
S- SETTING (where and when). The speaker must consider the time and place of speaking. Will the
speech be delivered in the auditorium, audiovisual room, theater, church, or classroom? Will it be
rendered in the morning, noontime, afternoon, or evening? The venue dictates the kind of clothes to be
worn by the speaker, while the time helps him determine the needs to be satisfied by the speaker.
P- PARTICIPANTS (who). The interlocutors take part in a speaking activity. They are both speaker
and listeners. As speakers, they have to consider their listeners’ age, gender, educational attainment,
level of intelligence, occupation, and other personal data. These data are helpful in producing the
desired effect upon the listeners.
E- END (why). The speaker must have a single purpose in mind preparing the speech he will present.
This purpose gives him direction in preparing and presenting his speech.
A- ACT (how). The speaker needs to determine the manner by which he delivers his speech. Speech
acts include but are not limited to the following: announcing, affirming, attesting, confessing,
promising, warning, admitting, denying, praising or commending, commenting, criticizing, scolding,
pleading, urging, forgiving, apologizing, and blaming.
K- KEY (how formal). The formality or informality of the speech occasion is a determinant of the
language to be used, the attire to be worn, and the speech acts.
I- INSTRUMENT (with what instrument or medium). The most basic instrument used in human
communication is the voice. Other than voice, a speaker may use a telephone, a microphone, a
megaphone, a speaker, etc. to amplify the voice to make it audible.
N- NORM (what). The speaker’s primary concern is the topic or the subject of his speech. Initially,
what matters to the speaker, as well as the listeners, is what is spoken about.
G- GENRE (which kind). A speech may fall under any of the four genres according to purpose of the
oral discourse. These genres are Exposition, Description, Narration, and Argumentation.

Summary:

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 Communication is the process by which people exchange message. The message can be
delivered orally, such as in speeches or reports, or through written symbols, such as Facebook posts or
letters.

So why do we need to learn about communication?

By learning about communication- its nature, process, elements, types, and more- we can
improve our ability to communicate. Developing insight into communication makes us better
communicators. As we become better communicators, we can improve our relationship and achieve
our goals in life. Good communication makes us better people, and better people produce a better
world.

A famous quote says - “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately
determines the quality of our lives”

Learning Resources:
 Textbooks
 Powerpoint Presentation
 Digital learning resources such as text and image.
 Online Platform (NEOlms, Google Classroom, MS Teams, etc.,)
Evaluation:

#1
 Form a group of three members each. Decide on a simple topic of conversation, such as asking
someone to eat, asking for directions, and the like.
 You are given three minutes to present this conversation in front of the class using gibberish
language. Inject a lively intonation pattern to make the conversation sound genuine and use
gestures to make the message clear. You have five minutes to prepare for this activity
 After your performance other groups must guess your topic of conversation.
Your teacher will assess your presentation using the following rubric.

Criteria Description Poor Fair Good Very Excellent

1 2 3 Good 5
4
The required
language is
Understanding delivered
of Concept accurately.
The
conversation
appears
genuine.
The
participants
Performance deliver natural
responses.
The
participants use
gestures

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 appropriately.
The
Entertainment presentation is
Value entertaining
Total Points

#2
Using Microsoft Word, ask the students to answer the following questions. Then, submit your
output in MS Teams.

Define communication in your own words. Then give a communication situation to expound your
definition.
1. Why do you think communication is important need for humans?

References:

 Fernandez, E. J., Masong, A. S., & Samillano, R. Z. Oral Communication for Senior High School
 Retrieved from: https://www.scribd.com/document/409115753/EN11-12OC-Ia-1-EN11-12OC-Ia-
7-5-docx
 Pena, A. R.(2016). Oral Communication. Quezon City: Vibal Group Inc.
Next Lesson: Communication Models
Prepared by: Katelyn T. Albelar, LPT Checked by: Kim Kenneth T. Ayroso, LPT,
SHS English Teacher MAEd - English Coordinator

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