Unit 1 – Lesson 3

COMMUNICATION
BARRIERS
 SETTING UP
Have you heard about the Tower of Babel?
The Tower of Babel narrative in Genesis 11:1–9 is an
origin myth meant to explain why the world's peoples
speak different languages. It is said that the Tower of
Babel represents the pride of mankind wanting to reach
the heavens and be their own gods. It represents the
unification of all people in error. Because of their pride,
which is a sin, the same sin that caused Lucifer to rebel,
God divided them by making them speak different
languages.
 Genesis Chapter 11, verses 1 to 9:
1
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.  2As people
moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 
They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.”
They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.  4 Then they said, “Come, let
us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may
make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the
whole earth.”
5
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were
building. 6The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have
begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.  7 Come,
let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each
other.”
8
So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped
building the city. 9That is why it was called Babel — because there
the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there
the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Because of this, mankind could no longer
understand each other, thus forcing them to go
separate ways according to the language they
spoke. In effect, there was a barrier – language
barrier – that hindered them from understanding
one another. This explains why there are English,
Russian, Chinese, Australian, Japanese, Filipino,
etc., which are distinct and unique languages
spoken in the different parts of the world.
 Given this background, answer the following questions:

1. If you were introduced to a foreigner whose language you

don’t speak, what would you do or say?
2. Assume that you’re a Filipina candidate in the Miss
International beauty pageant who was luckily included in the
final 5. Just before you were asked to answer the final
question, you felt so nervous that you seem to be not ready
for any question. Would you ask an interpreter to translate
Filipino to English? Or you would still answer in pure
English? Why?
 LESSON PROPER
What is Communication Barrier?
Simply put, a barrier is a hindrance. Thus, communication
barriers are factors that hinder clear and understandable communication
between the sender and the receiver.
The following are the kinds of communication barriers:
1. Physical Barriers to Communication
They are the foremost obvious barriers to effective
communication. These include barriers like closed doors,
vehicular noise, faulty equipment used for communication, closed
cabins, etc. Sometimes, during an outsized office, the physical
separation between various employees combined with faulty
equipment may end in severe barriers to effective
communication.
  2. Perceptual Barriers
Different people perceive the same things differently. This is
a truth which we must consider during the communication
process. All the messages or communique must be easy and clear.
There shouldn’t be any room for a diverse interpretational set.
3. Emotional Barriers
The emotional IQ of individuals determines the
convenience and luxury with which they will communicate. A
person who is emotionally mature is ready to communicate
effectively. On the other hand, people that let their emotions
take over will face certain difficulties.
A perfect mixture of emotions and facts is important for
effective communication. Emotions like anger, frustration, and
humor can blur the decision-making capacities of an individual
and thus limit the effectiveness of their communication.
 4. Cultural Barriers
As the world is getting more and more globalized, any large
office may have people from several parts of the planet.
Different cultures have a special meaning for several basic
values of society. Dressing, Religions or lack of them, food,
drinks, pets and, therefore, the general behavior will change
drastically from one culture to a different one.
Hence it's a requirement that we must take these different
cultures under consideration while communicating. This is what
we call being culturally appropriate. In many multinational
companies, special courses are offered at the orientation stages
that permit people realize other cultures and the way to be
courteous and tolerant of others.
5. Language Barriers
Language barrier is one among the most common barriers that
limit effective communication. Language is the most ordinarily
employed tool of communication. The fact that every major region
has its own language is one among the barriers to effective
communication.
As per some estimates, the dialects of every two regions change
within a few kilometers. Even within the same workplace, different
employees will have different linguistic skills. As a result, the
communication channels that span across the organization would be
suffering from this.
Thus, keeping this barrier in mind, different considerations need
to be made for various employees. Some of them are very proficient
in a certain language and others will be okay with these languages.
6. Gender barriers to communication
These barriers can incite problems at home and in the workplace.
Societal stereotypes, assumed gender roles can contribute to a
communication gap between the sexes. Men and ladies have assigned
roles in society that exacerbate the gender divide; it is vital to
remember, however, that not all men and ladies fit into a labeled
category. Recognizing the common differences and similarities may be
an initiative toward creating understanding.
What is listening?
 Listening is one of the macro-skills that every student must
develop. Usually, people seem to think that hearing and listening
are basically the same thing. However, it should be noted and
understood that hearing and listening are NOT the same thing.
How do these two terms differ? Hearing is only a simple
reception of sound. On the other hand, listening is the process
of making evaluation and judgment of the thought. Hearing is
done with the ears; listening is through the mind, more than
just the ears. Hearing is passive; listening is active.
What is Effective Listening?
The Importance of Listening Skill
 Improves relationships
 Improves our knowledge
 Improves our understanding
 Prevents problems from escalating
 Saves time and energy
 Can save money
 Leads to better result
The Levels of Listening
1.IGNORING
2. PRETEND LISTENING
3. SELECTIVE LISTENING
4. ATTENTIVE LISTENING
5. EMPHATIC LISTENING (also called
MIRRORING
In summary, there are five (5) levels of listening
How to be a good listener
1. Listen
Don’t interrupt
Let the speaker finish
Concentrate on what's being said and the way it's being said
Make notes, if this helps
Show the speaker that you are listening
1. Question
Check understanding
2. Summarize
Paraphrase what the speaker has just told you
References

https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-correspondence-and reporting/communicatio
n/barriers-in-communication/

https://work.chron.com/gender-barriers-communication-6858.htmlR
 
https://www.doncrawley.com/the-five-levels-of-listening-how-to-be-a-better-list
ener/
 ASSESSING LEARNING
Activity 1
Directions: Answer the following questions:
1. Differentiate
a. hearing and listening
b. attentive and emphatic listening. Give examples for each.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
____________
2. What is selective listening? Cite specific instances when you resort
to this level of listening.
_________________________________________________________
Activity 2
Directions: Perform the following task. Then answer the questions that
follow:
Listen to the video (on YouTube) of the famous speech of Martin
Luther King, “I Have a Dream”.
1. What were King’s dreams for America?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___
2. If you were to deliver your own speech on the same title (I Have a
Dream), what would your dream or dreams be for the Philippines?
___________________________________________________________
 Activity 3
Directions: Express your answers to the following questions:
 
1. Discuss the different barriers to effective communication.
1.1. Physical barrier
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
1.2. Emotional barrier
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
 
1.3. Cultural barrier
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Activity 3
Directions: Express your answers to the following questions:
1.4. Perceptual barrier
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________

2. How can one overcome these barriers?

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________