PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION STUDENTS’ LEARNING GUIDE

MODULE 1

LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION

Together with the creation of human life is the creation of a wonderful and
dynamic human capacity-language. Animals are said to be able to communicate with
each other. Whales sing, wolves howl, dogs barks, and birds chirps. The sounds these
creatures produce often reflect the state of their emotions. While it may be true that
animals communicate, only human beings are truly capable of producing language.

What exactly is language? Linguists agree that a language can only be called a
language and if it is has a system of rules (grammar), a sound system (phonology), and
a vocabulary (lexicon). These are the requirements for identifying a means of
communication as a language. A monkey may be able to signal to its partner that it is
sharing food. The monkey will produce sounds and gestures, but will not be able to
organize the sounds into a meaningful system of rules. What the monkey is producing is
not a language in the strictest sense of the word. Human beings, on the other hand, are
able to communicate their desire to share food through several ways that are
understandable to other human beings. They may utter a word (Food!), raise a or give
questions (What some food?), or give a statement (I’d like to share this food with you).

When people use language, they can understand each other because they
belong to the same speech community. They can understand each other because in
their speech community, people share the same set of rules in the language system.
While growing up, people acquire the languages used by those in the community. This
is the process language acquisition. The languages acquired while growing up are
known as mother tongues, which may also be referred as first language. People
discover later on that other languages are needed for various reasons. These other
languages may be referred to as second languages. People learn these languages by
studying formally in school or informally on their own. This is the process of language
learning.

What happens if people visit another speech community that is different from
their own? Americans and British speak English. However, they spell words differently.
They pronounce words differently. They have different ways of expressing the same
concepts. It can be said that the Americans and the British belong to two speech
communities which do not have exactly the same set of rules for their languages. This is
why there are differences in their languages. The opening activity on the previous page
illustrates this reality.

What happens if you, for example, who speaks a mother tongue and English, go
to work in China where there residents speak Putonghua (mandarin) and a little bit of
English? Will you be able to communicate with the Chinese? The answer is yes.
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Though it will be a challenge for you and your Chinese friends to try to understand each
other, eventually you will be able to communicate as you slowly learn each other’s
languages. What is happening here is called language contact. The result of such
contact may be a new form of language. It is possible that in your attempt to
communicate with each other, you and your Chinese friend will produce a new language
form that is understandable to both of you. Your own languages may also change as
you constantly interact and communicate with each other. Thus, language change is the
result of language contract.

Language is indeed a complex human capacity. It is, therefore, important to be

aware of its features and behaviour to be able to use language more effectively and
productivity with communicating with others.

PAULINIAN ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

ENGAGING, TRUSTWORTHY TEAM BUILDERS & MENTORS, WHO:

 Invite open, non-judgmental communication with others, listening closely to the intent and spirit of their
words and offering clear, constructive responses in return.

AFFIRMATION

 As a Christ-centered Paulinian, I am an Engaging, Trustworthy Team Builder and Mentor, fostering

community through active collaboration.

LESSON 1: The Nature of Language

LEARNING OUTCOMES: During the learning session, you should be able to:

 Demonstrate an understanding of the key ideas in language and communication; and

 Relate your personal experience with the input presented.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Task 1: Comprehensive Questions: Instruction: Check your understanding of the input by answering the
following questions: Write your answers in the space provided below.

1. Can animals communicate?

______________________________________________________________________________
2. Can monkeys produce language?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the difference between language acquisition and language learning?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the difference between first language and social second language?
______________________________________________________________________________
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5. What happens after a language comes into contact with another?

______________________________________________________________________________

Task 2: SPRINGBOARD ACTIVITY: Instruction: Study the following words. Which spelling is correct and
incorrect? Tick the box of your choice and justify your answer.

Words Correct Incorrect Justification

1.Aeroplane
2.Airplane
3.Colonise
4.Colonize
5.Defence
6.Defense
7.Enrolment
8.Enrollment
9.Honour
10.Honor

Task 3: My Language Biography: Instruction: Reflect on the concepts presented in the input and connect
these to your personal experiences of language by creating your own Language Biography. Begin by filling
in the in the Language Biodata form below.

Language Biodata Form

How many languages do you speak? Identify these
languages.
What is/ are your first language/s or mother
tongue/s?
How did you acquire your first language/s or mother
tongue/s?
What skills can you inform using your first
language/s?
What is/are your second language/s
How did you learn your second languages/s
What skills can you perform using your second
language/s?
What are your language strengths?
What are your language weaknesses?
Which language is your favourite and why?

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My Language Biography

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

TASK 4. Instruction. Read the following statement carefully. Decide if each statement is true or false. Write
T on the blank if the statement is true, and F if it is false. If the statement is false, re-write or revise it to
make it true. Use the space provided after each statement. ( Point system : 5 items x 3 points each = 15
points)

______1. Not all languages have a grammar system.

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______2. Change happens to all languages.

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______3. The first language that a child acquires is called mother tongue.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______4. All living creatures have the capacity for language.

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

_____5. Two persons who do not speak the same language will never be able to communicate with each other.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

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PROCESSING: Instruction. Answer the question: What have you learned from different communicative
tasks?. Fill in your answers in the box provided below.

Activity 1

Activity 2

Activity 3

Activity 4

FORMATION:

The effective use of language helps every individual to gain interpersonal relationship at home, school, work
and even in the community that each one of us is part or involved in. Words are very powerful weapon to destroy the
morale of any individual. Thus, social responsibility on the use of language must be observed in order to avoid
conflict and misunderstanding.

SYNTHESIS: Instruction: Summarize your understanding of the topic by using a concept map. Draw you
concept map below.

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ASSESSMENT: PEER ASSESSMENT. Instruction: With a partner, share the language biography you
wrote in the task My Language Biography.

Read your partner’s language biography. Remember that the language biography connects one’s personal
experience of language acquisition and learning with the input about the nature of language. Evaluate your
partner’s language biography by filling in the table below.

QUESTION: Based on what your partner wrote in the language YES NO Does not apply
biography, does he/she have the correct understanding of the
following concepts?
Language acquisition
Language learning
Mother tongues
Second languages
Language change

ASSIGNMENTS: Instructions: Visit your university website and look for the mission and vision statement
and the core values that characterize your identity as student of your university.

Mission

Vision

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Core Values

REFLECTION GUIDE

 What I have LEARNED this week that has helped me do all aspect of this better?
 What I have DONE this week that has made me better at doing all aspects of this?
 How can I IMPROVE at doing all aspects of this is:

EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES

Your teacher will make you listen to an audio recording or view a video of a teenager from London
who is talking about himself/herself. After listening the audio or viewing the video, answer the following
questions and submit to the teacher.

1. What information does the speaker provide about himself/herself?

2. What does he/she tell us about his/her country?
3. How would you describe the way he/she speaks?
4. While listening to him or her, were you able to understand him/her well?

REFERENCES

Floyd, K. (2012). “Interpersonal Communication.” New York, The McGraw-Hill Companies

Madrunio, M. & Martin,I. (2018). Purposive Communication Using English in Multilingual Contexts.” Quezon City: C
& E Publishing, Inc.

Padilla, M., Dagdag, L., & Roxas, F. (2018). “Communicate and Connect! Purposive Communication.” Malabon City,
Philippines: Mutya Publishing House Inc.

3G Elearning FZ LLC (2014). “Basic Communication Skills.” UAE, 3G Elearning FZ LLC

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