Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

ORAL
COMMUNICATION IN
CONTEXT
Dimensions of
Communication
Quarter 1 Week 4 Module 4
Most Essential Learning Competency:
Use various strategies in order to avoid
communication breakdown
 Hi! I’m Jonathan. I will be your facilitator and guide in this
module. Before you start answering the module, I want you to
set aside other tasks that will disturb you while enjoying the
lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully
enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

Before we begin, take note of the following:

1. Follow carefully all the contents and
instructions indicated in every page of
this module.
2. Write on your notebook or any writing
pad the concepts about the lessons.
Writing enhances learning, that is
important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the
module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your
answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and
apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

By the way, these are the parts of this module:

• Expectations - These are what you will be able
to know after completing the lessons in the
module.
• Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge
and the concepts to be mastered throughout the
lesson.
• Looking Back - This section will measure what
learnings and skills that you understand from the
previous lesson.
• Brief Introduction- This section will give you an
overview of the lesson.
• Activities - These are activities designed to
develop critical thinking and other competencies.
This can be done with or without a partner
depending on the nature of the activity.
• Remember - This section summarizes the
concepts and applications of the lessons.
• Checking your Understanding - It will verify
how you learned from the lesson.
• Post-test - This will measure how much you
Expectations
As your facilitator, I expect that you, as a learner:
a. explains why there is a breakdown of
communication Now let’s have a pre-test…

b. uses various strategies in order to avoid

communication breakdown
c. demonstrates sensitivity to the sociocultural
dimension of communication situation with focus on
culture and gender

Pre-Test
I. Match Column A to Column B.

A B

1. Messages always have a purpose. This purpose a. Miscommunication

is why we communicate in the first place b. Oral/Written Dimensions
2. Means spoken communication and the transcription c. Formal/Informal Dimensions
of thoughts and ideas d. Intentional/Unintentional
3. Means the meticulous observation of appropriateness Dimensions
in dress, language and setting. The opposite uses e. Verbal/Nonverbal Dimensions
more casual approach
4. encompass the use of language or words chosen
and the facial expressions, gestures, etc.
5. can lead to a total cessation of interaction

II. Identify the following statements if it according to the “Influence of Culture” of “Influence of
Gender”

____________________1. Women are expected to be non-confrontational in their

language.
____________________2. Men think they should be “macho” in language and action.
____________________3. Westerners are more direct in speaking.
____________________4. In Thailand, no one sits higher than the king does.
____________________5. Manny Pangilinan is addressed as “MVP”, and Jaime Zobel de
Ayala is addressed as “JZA”.
Ⓛⓞⓞⓚⓘⓝⓖ Ⓑⓐⓒⓚ

Analyze each of the following diagrams. Stress out what model of communication
has been used.

1. ________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________
 I hope that you have learned
something from the previous
lesson. Now let’s move on to our
next topic.

Brief Introduction
According to Emery (2012), communication is a two-way process that needs four
components to make it successful. First, the message must have a sender as the source.
Second, the channel through which communication will be sent. Third, the receiver should
also be present as the destination of the message itself. Lastly, an encoding process must
also be there as well otherwise communication itself will be null and void. Feedback is then
given by the receiver turning this element as the new sender and the old sender takes the
position of the new receiver. This goes on until a conclusion is reached and communication
is then terminated by both parties.

Bu But what about if

there is
miscommunication?

Communication breakdown or Miscommunication can lead to total cessation of interactions.

Miscommunication is brought about by the lack of awareness of the dimensions of
communication, especially those influenced by culture and gender.

According to House, “A misunderstanding occurs when a communication attempt is

unsuccessful because what the speaker intends to express differs from what the hearer
believes to have been expressed.”
 Now, let’s have these

Activities
activities

Activity 1
Recall a quarrel/ argument/ fight with a classmate, friend or a sibling.
Then fill up the following:

A. What was the cause of the quarrel/ argument/ fight?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

B. How did you resolve the quarrel/ argument/ fight?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Write a short poem about “miscommunication”. Write your poem on the box provided below.
 Here are the things that
you have to
remember…

There are four pairs of DIMENSIONS OF COMMUNICATION:

A. VERBAL/ NON-VERBAL DIMENSIONS

These dimensions encompass the use of language, the words chosen (verbal) and the facial
expressions, and the gestures and bodily movement used (non-verbal). A misunderstanding
happens when words contradict actions. For example, a friend answered “yes” to an
invitation but the facial expression says “no”.

B. ORAL/ WRITTEN DIMENSIONS

These dimensions pertain to a spoken communication (oral) and the transcription of
thoughts and ideas (written). How does miscommunication occur? Sometimes when we
have a different understanding of what was stressed out or what was written. For example, if
the word has a “double meaning”.

C. FORMAL/ INFORMAL DIMENSIONS

These speak of the factors that may or may not highlight traditional or conventional
communication. In the formal dimension, you may observe appropriate dress, language, etc.
while the informal uses the opposite. For example, you were invited to attend on a formal
celebration on a three-star hotel, how will you dress up? How will you speak? Otherwise you
will be misunderstood when you do the opposite.

D. INTENTIONAL/ UNINTENTIONAL DIMENSIONS

These dimensions rely on the fact that messages always have a purpose. There is an
intention when people communicate with others. Otherwise miscommunication arises for
example: a speaker in a seminar was serious in tone but the audience laughed at what was
said by the speaker.
ELABORATING ON THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON THE DIMENSIONS OF
COMMUNICATION

A. VERBAL/ NON-VERBAL DIMENSIONS

 FILIPINO CULTURE - Looking down who is in authority is a sign of respect.
 WESTERN CULTURE - Looking down means you’re hiding something.

B. ORAL/ WRITTEN DIMENSIONS

 FILIPINO CULTURE - Very wordy and expressive; fond in writing long messages.
 WESTERN CULTURE - More direct in speaking; writes in simpler form.

C. FORMAL/ INFORMAL DIMENSIONS

 FILIPINO CULTURE - When speaking, they consider everyone as a family and tends
to blur the wall between formal and informal communication.
 WESTERN CULTURE - Formal is formal and informal is informal. There is a big wall
between formal and informal communication.

D. INTENTIONAL/UNINTENTIONAL DIMENSIONS
 FILIPINO CULTURE - Always show courtesy in spite of difficulty. But once they show
discourtesy, most of the time they act as nothing happened.
 WESTERN CULTURE - They always ask what went wrong and quickly solve any
misunderstanding.

ELABORATING ON THE INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON THE DIMENSIONS OF

COMMUNICATION

A. VERBAL/ NON-VERBAL DIMENSIONS

 MEN - Men think they should be macho in language and action. They use assertive
words and expect to be understood.
 WOMEN - Women are expected to be non-confrontational in their language,
especially men. They are supposed to talk only about certain topics that are within
the world of women.

B. ORAL/ WRITTEN DIMENSIONS

 THEN - Women are supposed to be indirect and circuitous. That may well have been
true in the days of Maria Clara.
 NOW - Women write beyond what was once thought to be safe topics for women.
Instead of being soft spoken, they now speak with a directness.

C. FORMAL/ INFORMAL DIMENSIONS

 WESTERN BOSSES – whether male or female, they preferred to be called by their
first names.
 PHILIPPINE BOSSES – we preferred to be called “Sir” (male bosses) or “Ma’am”,
(female bosses)

D. INTENTIONAL/UNINTENTIONAL DIMENSIONS
 For example, if a young lad smiled on a young lady, the smile can be considered
unintentional. If the young lad smiled at her because he is nervous, the young lady
may think that he is flirting.
 Now, let’s check if you
have learned something…

Checking
Your Understanding
I. Compare or contrast the following. Write your space on the space provided.

1. a. Verbal -
________________________________________________________________________

1. b. Non-Verbal -
________________________________________________________________________

2. a. Formal -
_________________________________________________________________________

2. b. Informal -
_________________________________________________________________________

II. Cite some situations wherein the following dimensions are evident in terms of
miscommunication:

1. a. Oral -
_________________________________________________________________________

1. b. Written -
_________________________________________________________________________

2. a. Intentional -
_________________________________________________________________________

2. b. Unintentional -
_________________________________________________________________________
I. Read and analyze the statements. Write:
A – If both statements are true,
B – If statement A is true; statement B is false,
C – If statement A is false; statement B is true, and
D - If both statements are false
_____1. (A) Verbal Dimensions are the gestures and bodily movements of the speaker.
(B) While nonverbal Dimensions are the words used by the speaker.
_____2. (A) Miscommunication is also called “Communication breakdown”.
(B) It can lead to a total cessation of interaction.
_____3. (A) Formal Dimension usually means the meticulous observation of appropriateness
In dress, language, and setting.
(B) Informal Dimension has high regard with formalities.
_____4. (A) Leaders of some countries that do not have friendly relations with other
countries
Is experiencing communication breakdown.
(B) Sometimes they end up going to war with each other.
_____5. (A) I must be remembered that every message has an intended meaning.
(B) The speaker will realize when the listener reacts by saying that he is
discourteous, dishonest or hurt the listener’s feelings.

II. Choose from the following dimensions in line with the “Influence of Culture and Gender”.
Write:
VN – for Verbal/ Nonverbal Dimensions
OW – for Oral/ Written Dimensions
FI – for Formal/ Informal Dimensions
IU – for Intentional/ Unintentional Dimensions
Influence of Culture
_____1. Some priests and professors give permission to be called by their first names.
_____2. Filipino students are wordy in writing an essay.
_____3. Westerners are more direct in speaking.
_____4. When a student speaks with the principal, he/she sought to speak with the principal
with modesty not as a “barkada”.
_____5. Teachers chairs are also higher than students to show respect.

Influence of Gender
_____6. Men think they should be “macho” in language and action.
_____7. A student smiling during an exam may make the teacher think that the exam is
easy.
_____8. How does one dress for and talk during a job interview.
_____9. In the Philippines, teachers are addressed as “Miss”, “Mrs.” or “Sir”.
_____10. Women are expected to be non-confrontational in their language.
Fill-in and share: Reflect on what you have learned after taking up this lesson by completing
the phrase below.

I have learned that miscommunication is

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

For me, to avoid miscommunication, I have to

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

References:

Emery, R. (2012, September). Communications: Its Importance

and Basic Elements. Retrieved January 5, 2015, from
http://region3.asse.org/: http://region3.asse.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/09/Bob-Emery-ASSE-Regional-Conference-
2012-Communications-Importance-and-Basic-Elements.pdf

Flores, Ramona S. (2016). Oral Communication in Context. 1st

Edition. Manila: Rex Publishing

House, Juliane et. al. (2014). Misunderstanding in Social Life.

You made it! London. Routledge.

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Jonathan N. Nachor, Master Teacher II
Editor: Flor M. Derige, Master Teacher II
Reviewer: Vicente M. Victorio Jr., Education Program Supervisor
Management Team: Malcolm S. Garma, Regional Director
Genia V. Santos, CLMD Chief
Dennis M. Mendoza, Regional EPS in Charge of
LRMS and Regional ADM Coordinator
Maria Magdalena M. Lim, CESO V, Schools
Division Superintendent-Manila