The Way We Communicate With Others and With Ourselves Ultimately Determines The Quality of Our Lives.

Senior High School | Department of English
Prepared by: Shem Macalanda
Activity Sheet#6
TOPIC: BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
"The way we communicate with others and with ourselves

ultimately determines the quality of our lives."
-Anthony Robbins
Task 01:
Read aloud the quotation by Anthony Robbins. Do you agree with him? Why? Why not? Why must effort be invested
in communicating well? Share your thoughts with your classmates.
Answer
Total: /10 points
Task 02:
Directions: Think of an object that can serve as a barrier. Fill out the lines to complete the statements below:
According to ______________________________________ (cite a source), a barrier

is__________________________________________.
I think of (cite an object) ______________________________________ as a barrier

because__________________________________________.
Total: /20 points
Task 03:
Directions: It is true that the model seems "silent" in mentioning the barriers to communication; they can be
understood as implications. Write at least one significant insight or implication given by the model
considering the gaps between the sender and the receiver brought or influenced by the following factors:
(1) communication skills, (2) attitudes, (3) knowledge, (4) social system, and (5) culture. Explain why or how
such gaps lead to success or breakdown of communication.
Factors Answers
1. skills
2. attitude
3. knowledge
4. social system
5. culture
Total: /20 points
Some popular beliefs are found to be erroneous by research and theory According to DeVito (2013),
understanding these myths will help in eliminating potential barriers to learning how to communicate
efficiently and effectively. Interview some language or communication teachers and ask them about some
popular notions or myths about communication. Substantiate your interview with additional readings from
the library or from the Internet.
Problems That Emanate from the Source/Sender
You have learned the importance of every element of the communication process in the success or
failure of sending and receiving a message and in fostering a positive relationship between or among the
participants. These very same elements can also pose problems or barriers to the success of the process and
may lead to a communication breakdown.
Here are some problems that emanate from the source/speaker/encoder/sender:
1. Problems in language proficiency/skills - The receiver will have difficulty understanding a speaker who
has problems in any of the following:
(1) choosing the right words to express the intended message; (2) weaving these words in grammatical or
comprehensible language structure; (3) pronouncing intelligibly the words and employing appropriate stress,
juncture, and intonation; (4) organizing ideas; and (5) using appropriate volume, pitch, and tone of the
voice.
2. Lack of sensitivity to the receiver's background - when the speaker does not consider the personal
background of the receiver (education, culture, personal feelings, etc.), a breakdown in communication may
result because the intended message may not be understood. Sometimes, the "unintended meaning" of the
speaker may be highlighted and may result in confusion, misunderstanding, or worse, in a quarrel between
the intercalants. Recognizing the receiver's age, culture, educational background, socioeconomic status,
gender, knowledge, social status, needs, and preferences assist the sender/speaker in preparing a successful
encounter with the receiver.
3. Lack of preparation - Usually, in person-to-person interaction, less preparation is required especially if

the communicators know the background and character of each one. Speaking in front of your loved ones
about any subject matter may not require much preparation, except perhaps when you are trying to break
sad news or information than can likely hurt or offend them. This may not be the case when you are asked to
prepare for a speech to be delivered in front of a bigger audience because you will require much
preparation, not only in organizing the content of your speech, but also in delivering it, considering the
occasion and its purpose and the profile of those who will be participating in the event. Not being able to
ask about the profile of the receiver or audience may pose problems in planning the message or
presentation. Preparation also includes checking the accuracy of facts and details and verifying the credibility
of your sources.
4. Negative perception of self and other emotional problems - A speaker who lacks self-confidence or
who possesses emotional problems might find talking to other people challenging or even intimidating,
more so to a bigger number of people. This is called stage fright or communication. Doing some breathing
exercises before the actual speech helps lessen the physical signs of stage fright. However, a healthy
perception of yourself, a strong belief in your own capabilities, and thorough preparation are good measures
to address any communication apprehensions you may have. Stage fright lessens with time and experience.
However, there are some people who never get over their apprehensions; instead, they learn to control them
and minimize their negative effects.
Consider the other barriers to communication given by Tunney (2014): (1) language barrier, (2)
systematic barrier, and (3) attitudinal barrier. The first one is explained here. How about explaining
the next two using your own words?
Language barrier. Not only people who speak different languages have problems understanding
one another, but also those who speak the same language. In British English, for example, first floor is the
level above the ground floor (Merriam-Webster); in American English, it is "the floor of a building that is at
ground level"(Merriam-Webster); so, the first floor of the British is the American's second floor. For an English
language learner (ELL), this poses a bit of confusion. It also confuses a British person living in America, and
vice versa.
Among other things that serve as language barriers is the use of slang and jargon since they are not
readily understandable to people outside of the group that uses them. Slang refers to "words that are not
considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech
especially by a particular group of people" (Merriam-Webster), while jargon refers to the language used by a
specific trade or profession.
Task 04:
Reminisce how the same problems or barriers given above can likewise emanate from the receiver or
listener .Explain how they also effect the communication process and suggest some strategies to overcome
these barriers.
Answer
Total: /10 points
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Senior High School | Department of English

Prepared by: Shem Macalanda

TOPIC: BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

"The way we communicate with others and with ourselves

Total: /10 points

According to ______________________________________ (cite a source), a barrier

I think of (cite an object) ______________________________________ as a barrier

Total: /20 points

Problems That Emanate from the Source/Sender

Here are some problems that emanate from the source/speaker/encoder/sender:

3. Lack of preparation - Usually, in person-to-person interaction, less preparation is required especially if

Total: /10 points

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