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.
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 Biodata Form
How many languages do you speak? Identify these Language is indeed a complex
languages. 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:

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?

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.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

PROCESSING:

1. In the activity 1, you will learn the differences between the British and American spelling and
equivalents. Both of these languages are acceptable and correct as registered in the dictionary.
2. In activity 2, you will learn the importance of communication in different communicative tasks and
also the differences of how language-first and second acquired and learned.
3. In activity 3, you will gain awareness of the first and second language acquired and learned
through filling the bio-data form.
4. In activity 4, you will assess yourself on the concepts you acquired. The activity assesses and
validates your knowledge on language and communication.

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:
 1. Language is a human capacity that consists of (a) a system of rules (also known as grammar),
(b) a sound system (phonology), and (c) a vocabulary (lexicon).
2. While growing up in a community, people acquire the languages used by those in the
community. This is the process of language acquisition.
3. The languages acquired while growing up are known as mother tongues, which may also be
referred to as first languages.
4. Other than the first languages, there are other languages that are needed for various reasons.
These other languages are referred to as second language.
5. In our interaction with other people, our languages come into contact with their language with
their languages, resulting in language change. Language change is a natural behaviour of all
languages.

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

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?