COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH

Process of Communication
 Defining Communication
• The word communication is derived from a
Latin word meaning “to share.”
• Communication can be defined as
“purposefully and actively exchanging
information between two or more people to
convey or receive the intended meanings
through a shared system of signs and
(symbols)”
 Considerations for communication in this module:
• 1. Analyzing the Audience
• 2. Choosing a Communications Channel

• Face-to-face conversations.
• Video conferencing.
• Audio conferencing.
• Emails.
• Written letters and memos.
• Chats and messaging.
• Blogs (using internet)
• Formal written documents
• Spreadsheets etc.
3. Using Plain Language (local language to make listener understand quickly)
4. Using Visual Aids (objects, images, diagrams, data graphs, charts such as pie
charts, and moving images such as videos)
5. Evaluating Communication via Feedback
Language as a Tool of Communication (device
or implement)
The principal method of human communication,
consisting of words conveyed by speaking,
writing, or gesture (good body language by
moving body)
Language is the most remarkable tool that man
has invented. It enables him to express his
ideas and emotions emphatically.
Man can communicate even without using a language.
A little baby cries when he is hungry or he slaps his
mother when he is angry.
In this example, communication takes place without the
use of language. But man needs language since he
has fine ideas to express.
A language can be used in two ways for the purposes of
communication. It can be spoken or written Le., we
can communicate either using the spoken medium or
the written medium.
 Purposes of Communication
Some of the purposes of communication are to
• give, get or exchange information
• use communication to form or to maintain
relationships
• persuade others to think in the way that one
does, or to act in the way one wants
• gain, maintain power over others
• make decisions about what we think and do
• express our ideas and ourselves to others
• To meet social expectations
 Purpose/Functions of Communication
While defining communication Keith Davis compared it to a bridge of meaning which
helps a person to cross ariver of misunderstanding. In fact, this definition highlights
the purpose of communication in one's personal andprofessional life. The following
are the main objectives of communication:
(i) Exchange of information : The most important purpose of communication is to
exchange information fromone person to another. In business world,
communication also occupies a prominent place since the employeesreceive
different messages from the employer or the juniors from their seniors so that they
can perform their jobbetter.
(ii) Persuasion : One important purpose of communication is persuasion.
Communication helps in persuading orconvincing someone for a favourite
response. Written as well as oral communication is used to influence others.
(iii) Counselling : Seniors counsel the subordinate staff from time to time whenever
they face some difficulty attheir work place.
(iv) Co-ordination :Communication is indeed an effective tool in co-ordinating the
working of the employees ofdifferent departments or positions. Mutual
understanding, joint consultation, seeking suggestions etc. are allpossible
through formal or informal communication. Besides, communication helps
in releasing suffocatingemotions when one is able to know other's pent-up
emotions. Finally, it leads to sharing ideas freely and inbuilding up a tension free
Types & Modes of
Communication
The experience of communicating can be
divided into 4 categories based on the number
of people involved in the act,
viz.,
1. intra-personal
2. inter- personal
3. group and
4. mass communication
1. Intra-personal communication
This refers to a process when one communicates with
one's own self. Such communication is within the seIf
and to the self;
e.g., thinking, working out a problem, writing diaries, etc.

2. Inter-personal communication
This is the communication that takes place when at least
two people interact, whether face-to-face,
e.g., an interview, talking to friends in a cafe or
otherwise, as with a telephone conversation etc.
In this case, emphasis is laid on speech as well as on non-
verbal (wordless language) forms of communication.
3. Group communication
By group communication we mean communication
within and between groups of people. The groups
may be small, such as a family, or large, as in the
case of a committee meeting.

4. Mass communication
In this case the communication is received by or used
by large numbers of people,
e.g., an open-air concert for a thousand people, radio
and postal systems, etc.
Whatever the type of communication, its purposes
are more or less similar.
Types of communication based on the communication channels used
1. Verbal Communication
2. Non-verbal Communication

1. Verbal Communication:
Verbal communication refers to the form of communication in which
message is transmitted verbally; communication is done by word of
mouth and/or a piece of writing.
Verbal communication is any communication that uses language.

Verbal Communication is further divided into :

i. Oral/ Spoken Communication

ii. Written Communication
Oral Communication:
In oral communication, spoken words are used. It includes face-
to-face conversations, speech, telephonic conversation, video,
radio, television, voice over internet.
In oral communication, communication is influence by
pitch, volume, speed and clarity of speaking.

Written Communication:
In written communication, written signs or symbols are used to
communicate.
A written message may be printed or hand written.
2. Nonverbal Communication
Non-verbal communication is the sending or
receiving of wordless messages.
We can say that communication other than oral and
written, such as gesture, body language, posture,
tone of voice or facial expressions is called
nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal communication is all about the body
language of speaker
 Personal, Social and Business Communication

a. Personal Communication
Personal communication is the exchange of message or ideas between two
individuals.
It can be formal or informal, oral or written.
Any conversation between two individuals, verbal or non-verbal, that does not
involve a formal organisational setting is called personal communication.

b. Social Communication
Social communication is the exchange of message or ideas between an individual
and a group of individuals or between two groups of individuals.
Social communication, like personal communication, can be formal or informal,
oral or written, or verbal or non-verbal.
Any conversation occurring in a social (rather than personal/private) setting
is considered social communication.
c. Business Communication
Business Communication is generally a formal type of communication.
It is done by professionals with a specific purpose for a specific audience.
It is dictated by rules, formal structures.
It follows specific directions and protocols.
Business communication also uses technical, form al language.
It is the process of transmitting information about and within the organization.
e.g., An example of business communication is an email to employees with a list of
items to be discussed at the next meeting.
Barriers and Strategies
 Barriers to Communication

Encoding Barriers: The process of selecting and

organizing symbols to represent a message requires
skill and knowledge. Obstacles listed below can
interfere with an effective message

• Lack of Sensitivity to Receiver

• Lack of Basic Communication Skills
• Insufficient Knowledge of the Subject
• Information Overload
• Emotional Interference
Transmitting Barriers: Things that get in the way
of message transmission are sometimes called
“noise.” Communication may be difficult
because of noise and some of these problems

• Physical Distractions (e.g., driving & phone

call)
• Conflicting Messages (argument)
• Channel Barriers (email, internet, social
media, or video conferencing)
• Long Communication Chain
Decoding Barriers
The communication cycle may break down
at the receiving end for some of these
reasons:
• Lack of Interest
• Lack of Knowledge
• Lack of Communication Skills
• Emotional Distractions
• Physical Distractions
Responding Barriers: The communication cycle
may be broken if feedback is unsuccessful.

• No Provision for Feedback

• Inadequate Feedback
 Strategies for effective Communication

Following are a few ways to overcome the barriers to communication.

1. Eliminating differences in perception (to be aware / understand)

2. Use of Simple Language
3. Reduction and elimination of noise levels
4. Active Listening
5. Emotional State
6. Avoid Information Overload
7. Give Constructive Feedback
8. Proper Media Selection
9. Flexibility in meeting the targets
READING & UNDERSTANDING
 COMPREHENSION

Thinking/
reasoning

Reading comprehension is the ability to process written

text, understand its meaning and to integrate with what the
reader already knows.
 Comprehension Strategies
1. Making connections: When readers can connect the topic
or certain information to what they already know about themselves or
the world, they relate to the text.

2. Asking questions: Asking questions and searching for the

answers is an effective reading comprehension strategy. Readers
can ask questions about what they have read, assess their own
reactions, and infer the author’s reason for writing the text.

3. Visualizing events : Being able to visualize or imagine

events from a text in their minds is very helpful for students.
When they can visualize what is happening, it makes the printed
word more “real” and easier to comprehend and remember.
4. Determining text importance:
• It can be difficult for readers to separate what is important to the story vs. what is
interesting to them. They must learn to distinguish between fact and opinion,
recognize cause-and-effect relationships, and compare ideas and information.
• In addition, readers must learn to pinpoint conflicts, problems, and solutions,
identify steps involved in processes, locate information or answers to questions,
and summarize what they have read.

5. Making inferences : When readers can make inferences, they merge clues
within what they have read with prior knowledge they’ve attained. They will be able to
answer questions that lead to conclusions regarding underlying themes and ideas.

7. Synthesizing information to make new thoughts : When

readers can take new information from texts and combine it with their existing
knowledge, they can hone their skills in reading comprehension. Using newly
attained information as a launchpad or springboard to form their own original
ideas can expand to new lines of thinking and new creations.
 Examples
Question 1. Select the most appropriate
meaning of the given words/ phrase.

Fish out of water

i. To die soon
ii. To be out of place.
iii. No knowledge of marine life
iv. Not good at swimming
Question 2. Select the most appropriate
meaning of the given words / phrase.

In the blink of an eye

i. Happen fast & instantaneously.

ii. To make progress
iii. To flourish
iv. None of the above
Mike and Morris lived in the same village. While Morris owned the largest jewelry shop in the village,
Mike was a poor farmer. Both had large families with many sons, daughters-in-law and
grandchildren. One fine day, Mike, tired of not being able to feed his family, decided to leave the
village and move to the city where he was certain to earn enough to feed everyone. Along with his
family, he left the village for the city. At night, they stopped under a large tree. There was a stream
running nearby where they could freshen up themselves. He told his sons to clear the area below the
tree, he told his wife to fetch water and he instructed his daughters-in-law to make up the fire and
started cutting wood from the tree himself. They didn’t know that in the branches of the tree, there
was a thief hiding. He watched as Mike’s family worked together and also noticed that they had
nothing to cook. Mike’s wife also thought the same and asked her husband ” Everything is ready but
what shall we eat?”. Mike raised his hands to heaven and said ” Don’t worry. He is watching all of
this from above. He will help us.” The thief got worried as he had seen that the family was large and
worked well together. Taking advantage of the fact that they did not know he was hiding in the
branches, he decided to make a quick escape. He climbed down safely when they were not looking
and ran for his life. But, he left behind the bundle of stolen jewels and money which dropped into
Mike’s lap. Mike opened it and jumped with joy when he saw the contents. The family gathered all
their belongings and returned to the village. There was great excitement when they told everyone
how they got rich. Morris thought that the tree was miraculous and this was a nice and quick way to
earn some money. He ordered his family to pack some clothes and they set off as if on a journey.
They also stopped under the same tree and Morris started commanding everyone as Mike had done.
But no one in his family was willing to obey his orders. Being a rich family, they were used to having
servants all around. So, the one who went to the river to fetch water enjoyed a nice bath. The one
who went to get wood for fire went off to sleep. Morris’s wife said ” Everything is ready but what
shall we eat ?” Morris raised his hands and said, ” Don’t worry. He is watching all of this from above.
He will help us.” As soon as he finished saying, the thief jumped down from the tree with a knife in
hand. Seeing him, everyone started running around to save their lives. The thief stole everything they
had and Morris and his family had to return to the village empty handed, having lost all their
Read the passage given and answer the given questions :

Question 1: Why did Mike and his family decide to rest under the
thief’s tree?

A) Being a large family, they knew that they could easily defeat the
thief
B) It was a convenient spot for taking a halt at night.
C) There was a stream nearby and wood enough to build a house
D) That was the only large tree that could shelter their large family

Solution: B) It was a convenient spot for taking a halt at night

Question 2: Which of the following best
describes Morris?

A) He was a rich businessman

B) He bullied his wife
C) He paid his servants well
D) He was greedy and imitated Mike.

Solution : D) He was greedy and imitated Mike

Question 3: What did Mike mean when he said
“He is watching all this from above”?

A) He had spotted the thief and wanted to scare

him
B) He was telling his wife to have faith in god.
C) It was just a warning for his family members to
stick together
D) He was begging the thief to help his family

Solution: B) He was telling his wife to have faith

in god
Question 4: Why did the thief return to the
tree?

A) To wait for Mike to return

B) To set up a trap
C) To wait for Morris’s family
D) Not mentioned in the passage.

Solution : D) Not mentioned in the passage

Question 5: How did the fellow villagers react
to Mike getting rich overnight?

A) They were jealous of him

B) They were very excited.
C) They followed his example
D) They envied him

Solution: B) They were very excited