Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PCOM 102 Module
PCOM 102 Module
Communication
Learning Module
STUDENT
Name:
Student Number:
Program:
Section:
Home Address:
Email Address:
Contact Number:
PROFESSORS ication
Name: Rolando O. Santos / Rex J. Bibal / Edizon P. Dela Cruz / Jonathan S. un
Villanueva / Ronald A. Gonzales / Ashlene Jasmilona / Pamela D. Rodelas /
Jacqueline B. Recaña
Academic Department: Department of Arts, Sciences and Teacher Education
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Email Address:
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I. Course Code PCOM 102
II. Course Title Purposive Communication
III. Module Number 2
IV. Module Title Local and Global Communication
V. Overview of the This module will emphasize the multilingual contexts
Module of using English in Asia and beyond, and looks at
the Filipino as a global citizen, and as a citizen of
the world. Furthermore, this module underscores
the importance of always being aware of one’s
purpose for communication and one’s audience. Also,
this will provide discussion topics of local and
international importance always in the context of a
specific purpose and specific audience.
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in certain communication because there are
different situations and people that call for different
registers. Furthermore, this module also
underscores the
importance of the varieties of English in both oral and
written contexts.
VI. Module Outcomes As for the outcome of the module you are expected
to have the basic and higher level of literacy,
communication, numeracy, critical thinking, learning
skills needed for higher learning. Furthermore, your
awareness of cultural diversity and your
understanding about how it affects communication
will also be demonstrated through the activities in
this module. Your appreciation for the benefits and
challenges of cross-cultural communication will
also be evident after conducting an online
interview. Also, you are expected to practice
strategies of communication with a clear purpose
and
comprehend conversations better.
VII. General Instructions
You must allot the necessary time to complete the
lessons each week. If you choose not to complete
the lesson using the schedule provided, you must
understand that it is your full responsibility to
complete them by the last day of completion. Time is
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answers within modules. However, your professors
are happy to discuss the assessments with you
during their consultation time, should you have
any questions.
Good luck.
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity
Demonstrate understanding of how cultural diversity affects
communication
Appreciate the benefits and challenges of cross-cultural communication
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Getting Started:
A video of two speakers in a conversation will be shown through link
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB1--VbN_M 0), video is titled
Language Barrier - Short Film by Marc Ketcham, the two speakers
are experiencing miscommunication. While viewing the video, not
the following:
The source of the miscommunication (the word or phrase that
was not correctly understood)
The resolution of the miscommunication (the strategy or
strategies the speakers used to try to resolve the
misunderstanding)
Questions:
1. What did one speaker say that was not understood by the person
he/she was speaking with?
2. What was the other speaker’s understanding of what was said?
3. What do you think were the causes of the miscommunication?
4. How was the miscommunication resolved?
5. What should have been done by each speaker to prevent the
miscommunication?
Discussion:
Intercultural Communication
According to science, each person is genetically unique. Except for
identical twins, each person has a unique genetic composition. This uniqueness
becomes even more heightened because of individual experiences. Humans
are formed by forces other than genetics. Family backgrounds, religious
affiliations, Educational achievements, socio-cultural forces, economic
conditions, emotional states, and other factors shape human identities.
Because of this, no people can ever be exactly the same.
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language skills, people may still experience miscommunication.
(2) The challenge for multinational communication has never been greater.
Worldwide business organizations have discovered that intercultural
communication is a subject of importance- not just because of increased
globalization, but also because their domestic workforce is growing more and
more diverse, ethnically and culturally.
(3) We are individuals, and no two people belonging to the same culture
are guaranteed to respond in exactly the same way. However,
generalizations are valid to the extent that they provide clues on what you will
most likely encounter when dealing with members of a particular culture.
HIGH CONTEXT VS LOW CONTEXT
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whether the country falls into a high-context or low-context culture.
(5) High-context cultures (Mediterranean, Slav, Central European, Latin
American, African, Arab, Asian, American-Indian) leave much of the message
unspecified, to be understood through context, nonverbal cues, and
between- the-lines interpretation of what is actually said. By contrast, low-
context cultures (most Germanic and English speaking countries) expect
messages to be explicit and specific.
SEQUENTIAL VS. SYNCHRONIC
(6) Some cultures think of time sequentially, as a linear commodity to “spend”,
“save”, or “waste”. Other cultures view time synchronically, as a constant flow to
be experienced in the moment, and as a force that cannot be contained or
controlled.
(7) In sequential cultures (like North American, English, German, Swedish, and
Dutch), businesspeople give full attention to one agenda item after another.
(8) In synchronic cultures (including South America, southern Europe and Asia)
the flow of time is viewed as a sort of circle, with the past, present and future all
interrelated. This viewpoint influences how organizations in those cultures
approach deadlines, strategic thinking, investments, developing talent from
within, and the concept of “long-term” planning.
(9) Orientation to the past, present, and future is another aspect of time in
which cultures differ. Americans believe that the individual can influence the
future by personal effort, but since there are too many variables in the
distant future, we favor a short-term view. Synchronistic cultures’ context is
to understand the present and prepare for the future. Any important relationship
is a durable bond that goes back and forward in time, and it is often viewed
as grossly disloyal not to favor friends and relatives in business dealings.
AFFECTIVE VS. NEUTRAL
(10) In international business practices, reason and emotion both play a
role. Which of these dominates depends upon whether we are affective
(readily showing emotions) or emotionally neutral in our approach. Members
of neutral cultures do not telegraph their feelings but keep them carefully
controlled and subdued. In cultures with high effect, people show their
feelings plainly by laughing, smiling, grimacing, scowling, and sometimes
crying, shouting, or walking out of the room.
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(11) This does not mean that people in neutral cultures are cold or
unfeeling, but in the course of normal business activities, normal cultures are
more careful to monitor the amount of emotion they display. Emotional reactions
were found to be least acceptable in Japan, Indonesia, the U.K,
Norway, and the Netherlands and most accepted Italy, France, the US and
Singapore.
(12) Reason and emotion are part of all human communication. When
expressing ourselves, we look to others for confirmation of our ideas and
feelings. If our approach is highly emotional, we are seeking a direct
emotional response.” I feel the same way.” If our approach is highly neutral,
we want an indirect response. “I agree with your thoughts on this.”
(13) It’s easy for people from neutral cultures to sympathize with the
Dutch manager and his frustration over trying to reason with “that excitable
Italian” After all, an idea either works or it doesn’t work, and the way to test the
validity of an idea is through trial and observation. That just makes sense—
doesn’t it? Well, not necessarily to the Italian who felt the issue was deeply
personal and who viewed any “rational argument” as totally irrelevant.
(14) When it comes to communication, what is proper and correct in one
culture may be ineffective or even offensive in another. In reality, no culture
is right or wrong, better or worse- just different. In today’s global business
community, there is no single best approach to communicating with one
another. The key to cross-cultural success is to develop an understanding of, and a deep respect for, the differences.
Application
Using your social media accounts, interview a member of an expatriate
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2. What are the challenging situations you have encountered?
Enrichment Activity:
Now that you are more informed about cultural diversity and its influence
on communication, reflect on the following practices. Use the table below for
your self-rating. Justify your answer. Use the space to indicate your answer.
Communication
Process Yes No Not sure
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1. If I cannot
understand the
person I am talking
with, I will think of
him/ her as lacking
in
language proficiency
2. If I interact with
someone from
different cultural
background, I will be
more careful about
the things I say and
how I say them.
3. I will be sensitive
to the values of
people whose
cultures are
different from mine.
4. In situations of
miscommunication, I
will attempt to
control my emotions.
5. I will not avoid
people whose
cultures are different
from mine.
Assessment:
A. Read the following statements carefully. Decide if each statement is true
or false. Write T on the blank if the statement is true, and F if the statement is false.
If the statement is true, explain what makes it true. If the statement is false, re-
write or revise it to make it true and justify your answer. Use the space provided
after each statement. (Point system: 5 items x 5 points each =25 points)
1. Anyone who is a proficient speaker of a language will find
communicating across cultures easy.
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3. There is no such thing as a right culture or a wrong culture
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ii.sequential vs. synchronic
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References/Attributions:
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Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the concept of the varieties of English
in Asian contexts.
Discuss the importance of the varieties of English in both oral and written
contexts
Identify some grammatical, lexical, syntactic features of post-colonial
varieties of English in Asian context
Distinguish the lexicon of some Asian varieties of English
Demonstrate knowledge about the concept of registers of English in
spoken and written language
Use the appropriate register depending on the communication situation
Display an ability to adjust and cope with communication breakdown
Getting Started:
View a video from Youtube titled “Talking To Filipinos In Korean | Social
Experiment” by Jaykeeout x VWVB
(https://ww w.youtube.c om/watch?v=st2U5Y4XTeM ). Then answer the
following questions.
Based on your observation, are there any challenges encountered by the
Filipino and the foreigner in communicating?
Are there differences on the way they use English to communicate with
each other? What are these differences?
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Why?
Discussion:
Varieties of English
During your senior high school, you must have encountered the term
World Englishes (WE) or varieties of English in class. WE actually stands for the
localized varieties of English as they are used or spoken in certain areas.
In the Asian context, the concept was introduced by Braj Kachru. The
famous “Three Concentric Circles of Asian Englishes” attributed to Kachru
presents the three circles Inner Circle with ENL (English as a native
language) member countries; the Outer Circle with ESL (English as a second
language) member countries; and Expanding Circle with EFL (English as
a foreign language) member countries.
Examples of countries belonging to the Inner Circle are the USA, UK,
Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Kachru’s Outer Circle is comprised of
Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Pakistan, among others while the
Expanding Circle is composed of countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, and
Thailand. Aside from the fact that the Outer and Expanding Circles are ESL and
EFL speaking, respectively, they have been colonized by some member
countries in the Inner Circle making the varieties they speak as post-colonial. It
is then to be understood that people have different linguistic and cultural
backgrounds making intercultural communication a significant variable in
communication.
Three Concentric Circles of English
According to Bautista and Gonzales (2006), the structural
characteristics of these new varieties differ. This is brought about by the
mother or home languages of those who learn or acquire English. And even
in terms of social features, differences can also be highlighted in that there
is continuum of basilectal, mesolectal, and acrolectal varieties of English
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within the same speech community. The acrolect then comes closest to the
standard while the basilect digresses thoroughly from it and comes closest to
the pidgin. Mesolect or the middle variety is midway between the acrolect and
basilect. Bautista and Gonzales use the term edulects for these varieties
resulting from certain types of education ascertained by social class but are
conveyed or transferred by the kind of instruction of the school system
especially for those coming from higher- income families and/or better educated
classes.
As regards structural variation, Kachru and Nelson (2006) claim that these
varieties of English are
influenced by the local
language(s) in various areas of
their grammars and exhibits
specific phonological, lexical,
syntatic and discoursal
characteristics (P.35). for
instance, in terms of stress and
rhythm, Outer and Expanding
Circle varieties observe syllable-
timed rhythm rather than stress-
timed rhythm. Nigerians say
“success for suc’cess and
Indians and
Nigerians say recog’nize for recognize. Moreover, speakers from the Outer
and Exapanding Circles do not make any changes in their pronunciation to
make a distinction between nouns and verbs in pairs which Inner Circle
countries observe as in the case of import and im’port and do not utilize
contrastive stress for focusing (Bamgbose,1992 and Gumperz, 1982a,1982b,
as cited in Kachru and Nelson,2006) As regards sounds, Outer and Expanding
do not observe initial aspirations of voiceless plosives such as p, t, k and these
are often perceived by Inner Circle countries as b,d,g Some speakers of
Expanding Circle varieties, as in the case of Japanese speakers, do not properly
distinguish between r and l.
According to Pope (1976, as cited in Kachru and Nelson, 2006) in the case
of syntactic features, questions-answering systems differ between Inner and
Outer-Expanding Circles. While the former observes the positive-negative
system where the answer follows the polarity of the question (I.e., If the
question is in the positive, the answer confirming the assumption of the
questioner is in the positive, and the answer disconfirming the assumption is
in the negative. If, however, the question is in the negative, the answer
confirming the assumption of the questioner is in the negative as well, while
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the answer disconfirming the assumption of the questioner is in the
positive), the latter observes the agreement-disagreement system which
poses difficulty to speakers who follow the positive-negative system
particularly in interpreting the yes or no of the response unless it is followed
by a clarification (I.e,Yes, I think you’re right; No that’s not so) (p.45).
With respect to lexicon, vocabulary words peculiar only to some
English varieties in Southeast Asia can be noted as seen in the following
examples (pp. 189-190):
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grammatical, lexical, and syntactic features. Gonzales (1985, as cited in
Bautista, 2000) identified the following lexical features in Philippine English (p.76):
Preference for specific words and collocations specifically shall, could,
such, wherein, of (to signal possession);
4. Pronoun-antecedent agreement;
5. Subject-predicate incongruence;
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As for the question “When does an error become a feature of Philippine English?”,
Gonzales (1985) has this to say:
The Foregoing discussion only shows how dynamic English is. These
are only some of the essential features of some varieties of English which should
be given full attention by users coming from different cultures. From the variety
of English used by the native speakers such as British, Americans,
Canadians, Australian, and New Zealanders, English has evolved into post-
colonial varieties and should not be mistaken as errors most especially if they
have become the standard in the speech community and have been codified.
As the poet Gemino Abad (1997, p. 8) aptly put it.” English is ours. We have
colonized it too.”
You have to be aware of and recognize intercultural communication as
you need to be sensitive to the people around you who belong to different
cultural heritages and have their linguistic identity. When you encounter
them, you will be able to avoid misunderstanding, avoid communication
breakdown, and overcome language barriers with less difficulty since you are
exposed to their own language features. This way, you will be able to
enhance your personal and social interaction.
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(p.409).
Crystal (1964) further style and register:
mality attached to particular interpersonal social situation which is reflected by differences in language-for example, the kind language used while talking t
It is to be noted that genre and register overlap and are sometimes used
interchangeably. According to Lee (2001), whereas genre is associated more
with the organization of culture, register is associated with the organization
of situation. To this end, register is understood as the context-specific
variety of language to which the field-mode tenor framework is important.
To give a concrete example, with the genre of recipe, field may be
analyzed in terms of the social setting and the communicative purpose in which
the text is produced. Tenor may be described in terms of the roles required
of the writers and readers including the cultural values shared by both. Mode
could be explained in light of the knowledge of other texts required of
speakers/listeners and writers/readers as regards the genre including the formal
text features.
Language register then refers to the formality of language which one
speaks. Different registers are used in different situations. It is through register that
you are able to determine the kind of lexicon or vocabulary to use as well as the
kind of structure to be used. Even in writing, you may use a formal or an
informal register. In some instances, even a neutral language register is
identified. The formal register then is used in formal speaking and writing
situations.
Earlier in the discussion, it was mentioned that register refers to the kind
of language whereby the forms used define the social situation,
notwithstanding the status of the interlocutors. Thus, legalese or legal
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language is highly characterized by archaic expressions, technical jargon
intrinsic only to the community of legal professionals, embedded structures,
nominalizations, passive voice, as well as long, kilometric sentences which are
not the features of textese or language of texts. Conversely, the features of
SMS langauge or textese language, are exactly the opposite-use of
abbreviations, acronyms, slang words, and expressions. This is so since
messages used to be limited to a certain number of character/spaces which
made texting much easier and quicker. However, misinterpretation and/or
miscommunication in text messaging may arise if vocabulary and knowledge
of context are limited. Hence, extra care should be practiced when
comprehending text messages.
Application
Visit a website or watch a food vlog of an ethnic restaurant and
observed some of the cultural foods being featured and offered by the
restaurant on the vlog. Make a listing of the new cultural terms that you
learned. Then write a one- paragraph text describing what you felt and observed
while watching.
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Summary of the Lesson:
1. Intercultural communication plays an important role in achieving effective
communication.
2. There are different varieties of English spoken by countries colonized
by Britain, the US, Canada, and Australia: Singapore English,
Malaysian English, Philippine English, and Thai English, among others.
These varieties have their own grammatical, lexical, and syntactic
features and should not be considered errors.
3. Language has formal and informal registers. These registers have
forms which define the social situation.
4. The kind of register to be used affects the way one speaks and writes
Enrichment Activity:
Watch news on BBC and CNN International. Compare the two varieties
of English you listened to. make a list of vocabulary items each variety uses
and provide their counterparts.
BBC (British English) CNN International (American English)
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Assessment:
A. Fill in the columns by writing the expressions or vocabulary you
commonly encounter in the registers indicated.
Legalese Textese Other Type (Academese)
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2. Could you please hold on for a while? I will just call her.
3. I really apologize. I do not mean to hurt you.
4. So sorry for my mistake.
5. Am not interested in your party.
6. I can’t make it to your party. I’ll make it up next time.
7. Good morning, Mr. Alcaraz!
8. Hello, Sir Alcaraz!
9. Our sincerest congratulations on your forthcoming promotion!
10.Congrats! You made it!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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9.
10.
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community of legal professionals, embedded structures, nominalizations, passive
voice, as well as long, kilometric sentences.
3. May be described in terms of the roles required of
the writers and readers including the cultural values shared by both.
4. Also known as language of texts. Conversely,
some features of this language are exactly the opposite-use of
abbreviations, acronyms, slang words, and expressions.
5. Is used in formal speaking and writing situations.
Suggested Links:
https://ablogforpurposivecomm.wordpress.com/2019/01/04/fol io-3-why-is-it-
important-to-use-appropriate-varieties-and-registers-of-language-in-certain-
communication- context/#:~:text=Language%20registers%20refers%20to
%20the,for%20use%20in% 20different%20situations.&text=So%20it%20is%20very
%20important,that%20call%2 0for%20different%20registers
This link discussed the importance of using appropriate varieties and
registers of language in certain communication context. The website gives
information, examples, and scenarios of how using appropriate varieties and
registers may affect relationship and understanding of people who are talking.
https://www.scribd.com/document/384086347/Varieties-and-Registers-of-Lang
This link contained a citation by She Quintos about the Varieties and
Registers of Spoken and Written Language. Furthermore, the link provided
accurate explanation about the varieties ang register of language which is
similar to the book used in this module.
References/Attributions:
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Lesson 3. EXPLORING TEXTS REFLECTING DIFFERENT
CULTURES
In the previous lesson, you learned that intercultural communication
has an important role to play in effective communication. Indeed, awareness
of the different varieties of English with their features as well as
understanding the registers of English should be the goal of everyone so that
there is less misunderstanding and miscommunication.
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural context in
the communication process.
Analyze texts that reflect varied cultures and practices
Appreciate various identities and differences
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Getting Started:
View a video from Youtube titled “Pinay English Speaking Very Funny (With
Subtitle)” by PH Trends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGnm7PFtfGU).
Then answer the following questions.
Observe how the foreigner pronounce some of the English words. Compare
it with the pronunciation of the Filipina on the video. What similarities and
differences can you take note.
Discussion:
Cultural Texts
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Gotcha! Got you!
What did
Whatche say? she say?
Where
Wherd yu did you
go?
go?
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a teenager offers you a seat, you acknowledge the kind gesture by saying:
“thanks for the seat.” However, of you are in an academic forum and an
organizer offers you a seat, you say: “ Thank you very much, (Sir or Ma’am).
When speaking impromptu on a certain topic, you should use ordinary,
conversational language. However, if you are to give a lecture in a
conference, your language should be formal. In the same manner that when
you write your speech and your purpose is to inform your audience on
climate change, it is expected that your language is formal. In contrast, if
your speech is meant to entertain your listeners on a light topic, your language
should be informal.
Application
Write a spoken word poetry that features texts (e.g., words, expressions,
idioms, etc.) from other varieties of English and respects/embraces cultural
identities and differences. Take a video of your performance and submit it to
your teacher.
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Summary of the Lesson:
1. One cause of miscommunication or misinterpretation is differing
pronunciation. Speakers have different ways of pronouncing words
because of differences in phonology. It is then important to be exposed to
the ways other speakers of English use the language to reduce the
degree of difficulty that may be experienced
2. Aside from pronunciation, non-verbal communication also plays an
important role in effective communication. Bodily gestures should be
properly interpreted as their meanings vary from culture to culture.
3. One’s purpose for communication as well as his/her relationship to the
listeners/readers will determine the kind of language he/she will use.
Enrichment Activity:
Check your understanding of the input by answering the following questions:
1. It is inevitable for us to meet people coming from other cultures. Cite
at least three ways by which you can avoid miscommunication or
misinterpretation of ideas when talking to them.
2. Give one situation when you should use formal language and another
situation when you should use informal language. What expressions
will you use? How do they differ from each other?
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Assessment:
A. Below are examples of two varieties of English that focus on expressions.
Classify them accordingly and write them under the correct column. Note
that some terms from the list are used by both varieties.
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.
8. 8.
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9. 9.
10. 10.
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.
8. 8.
9. 9.
10. 10.
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C. Below are two examples of two varieties of English that focus on idioms.
Classify them accordingly and write them under the current column.
1. a home from home vs. a home away from home
2. knock on wood vs. touch wood
3. a drop in the bucket vs. a drop in the ocean
4. take it with a pinch of salt vs. take it with a grain of salt
5. a new lease of life vs. a new lease on life
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
D. Fill in the table below. Assess the communication situation, the type of
relationship between the speaker and listener, and the language used.
Relationship between
Communication
and speaker and Language used
situation
listener
1. Oops sorry!
2. I am very
pleased to meet you,
Sir.
3. Let’s go to the gig!
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getting me a drink?
6. I said “Leave me
alone!”
8. I apologize for
my mistake.
9. Shall we go now?
References/Attributions:
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
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Recognize the challenges of intercultural communication.
Determine the sources of misunderstanding.
Identify the approaches to studying intercultural communication.
Appreciate learning about other cultures and identities.
Appreciate the value of co-existing individuals with different cultural
backgrounds.
Getting Started:
The images below show different scenarios of how people from different parts of
the world greet each other. Observe the differences on each image and
answer the questions that follow using your observation.
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1. What similarities and differences on the greetings of the people from different
parts of the world?
2. Based on your observation, what are the cultural differences that can be
observed on the images?
Indeed, the lack of shared knowledge and beliefs and cultural diversity
make it more complicated to arrive at the correct inference or interpretation
of meanings. But it can be argued that English is now global lingua franca. In
fact, with the ASEAN integration, English has been declared the official or
working language of ASEAN. So with just one language to be spoken or used
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by many countries including the 10 member countries of the ASEAN, what
else can go wrong?
The Handshake
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person
Greetings
Sources of Misunderstanding
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become aware of cultural identities and background as it will broaden your
horizon. All cultures are equal and though sometimes difficult to understand, you
need to understand that no culture is superior or inferior to another. It is
only through awareness that you get to compare other cultures with your
own and appreciate cultural diversities and learn to live with them. People have
different languages, lifestyles, and ways of thinking, speaking, and behaving.
This is the essence of cultural diversity.
Social Science
Interpretative Critical
of
Functionalist
Discipline on which Psychology Anthropology, Various
approach is sociolinguistics
founded
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characterized by
power.
How would you compare the approaches in the table above in terms of
human nature, behavior, and nature of knowledge emphasized? Do you
think each approach as its own strengths and weaknesses? What do you
think are the advantages? What are the disadvantages or limitations of each?
Application
Illustrate and discuss a situation that caused communication breakdown based
on the sources of misunderstanding from the discussion above.
Summary of the Lesson:
1. It is always challenging to deal with people from different cultures. The
challenge lies in the way of understanding not only the verbal code but
also the non-verbal code.
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2. Misunderstandings between people of different cultures can be caused
by the following: ambiguity, performance-related misunderstanding,
language-related misunderstanding, gaps in world knowledge, and
local context.
3. Intercultural communication can be studied through the functionalist
approach, interpretative approach, and critical approach.
Enrichment Activity:
Check your understanding of the input by answering the question below.
As a conscientious student, what have you done so far to avoid
miscommunication and misunderstanding when communicating with people
of different cultures?
Assessment:
A. Identify the term being describe in the statements below.
1. The essence or term used for people who have
different languages, lifestyles, and ways of thinking, speaking, and behaving.
2. A source of misunderstanding the focuses on the
gaps in content rather language.
3. Is the study and practice of communication across
cultural contexts.
4. The lack of explicitness on the part of the speaker
in the form of problematic reference and ambiguous semantics in which an
utterance is open to different interpretations.
5. The contribution of this intercultural
communication approach is it identifies cultural variations; recognizes
cultural differences in many aspects of communication but often does not
consider context.
6. A source of misunderstanding that slips of the tongue
and mishearing which may be due to utterances spoken quickly and unclearly.
7. A source of misunderstanding that is caused by
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ungrammaticality of language.
8. This intercultural approach focuses on culture as a
site of power struggle when it comes to the relationship of culture and
communication.
9. This is a source of misunderstanding that is caused
by the turns and turns within sequences produced by the participants
themselves, and the orientation of the participants as well as the repair
moves that follow the displayed understanding.
10. The method of study used in this intercultural
communication approach is through participant observation and field study.
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Suggested Links:
https://online.seu.edu/articles/the-importance-of-intercultural-communication-in-
international-development/
https://mkbconseil.ch/intercultural-communication-important-know-summary-interview-
dr- miltonbennett/#:~:text=Intercultural%20communication%20offers%20the
%20ability,peop le%20who%20are%20culturally%20different.
References/Attributions:
Madrunio, M., & Martin, I. (2018). Purposive Communication: Using English
in Multilingual Contexts. Quezon city: C & E Publishing, Inc.
I. Course Code PCOM 102
II. Course Title Purposive Communication
III. Module Number 3
IV. Module Title Academic and Workplace Communication
V. Overview of the Knowing how to write an is an integral part of an
Module individual’s life—it plays a very important role in
education also. When writing, students learn to
express themselves in a more logical way.
Furthermore, it helps students develop their writing
skills, vocabulary, and their own writing style.
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it develops the ability of the students to explain
their thoughts and
some phenomenon clearly and to be more
analytical.
VI. Module Outcomes As for the outcome of the module you are expected
to demonstrate an understanding of the conventions
of the explanation essay.
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Good luck.
Getting Started:
Test your knowledge of facts by answering the following questions.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Discussion:
Writing an Explanation Essay
‘Why’ questions are very important. If people in ancient times or the
recent past did not ask ‘why’ questions or attempt to answer these
questions, we would have very limited knowledge about many things in our
world. If Isaac Newton, for example, did not ask why things fell down after
throwing them up, he would not have discovered the law of universal
gravitation.
Addressing ‘why’ questions means providing explanations foe
phenomena. An explanation essay is one such example of a written piece of
work that addressed ‘why’ questions. It explains a particular topic to its readers.
Since it is meant to inform or educate the readers, the essay should present
convincing and adequate support for the explanations.
The following reading selection is an explanation essay which attempts to
answer ‘why’ questions similar to those in the opening activity above.
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Before reading the text, look up the meanings of the following words and
phrases that are used in the selection.
Lingua Franca
Linguistic nationalism
Cultural chauvinism
Conversant
Siloed cubicles
Crème de la crème
Mano-a-mano
Bourgeois stories
Batting an eyelash
(1) In 1977, my mentor, the National Artist for Literature and Theater Rolando
S. Tinio, said: “It is too simple-minded to suppose that enthusiasm for
Filipino as lingua franca and national language of the country necessarily
involves the elimination of English usage or training for it in schools.
Proficiency in English provides us with all the advantages that champions of
English say it does –
access to the vast fund of culture expressed in it, mobility in various spheres
of the international scene, especially those dominated by the English-
speaking Americans, participation in a quality of modern life of which some
features may be assimilated by us with great advantage.”
(3) Written 40 years ago, these words still echo especially now, when by some
quirk of history and economics, enrollment In English courses are rising because
(1) there are many vacant positions for teachers of English and literature in the
private and public schools, and (b) there are many vacancies, still, for jobs
in call centers with entry-level pay of P18,000 plus signing bonus, and a career
that will make you earn twice your present salary in just a few years. With
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the opening of the doors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) to everyone in the region, more and more Filipinos are being hired to
teach English in Indonesia, Thailand and yes, even our best friend, China.
(4) Why? First, Filipino teachers will accept a pay scale lower than their Western
counterparts. Second, they are conversant with American popular culture, a
happy (or unhappy) results of decades of American colonialism and neo-
colonialism. Third, they are still Southeast Asians beneath their skin, and are
thus familiar with Asian cultural practices, whether said or unsaid. One is the
importance of saving face, the meaning of “maybe” or “I will try” to an
invitation means he or she does not want to hurt you, be he or she will not show
up. Another is the primacy given to family. Already in his 50s, one is still
called Totoy or Baby or Blue Boy, and still lives with one’s parents and extended
family. You can see that, as well, in the other Southeast Asian countries, where
families are nuclear and not split, where food is communal and not eaten in
siloed cubicles.
(8) My best students in English and Filipino were tutored by crème de la crème,
many of them teaching in private schools. At the Ateneo de Manila
University, we have classes in Remedial English, since renamed Basic English
or English 1. These are six units of non-credit subjects. The enrollees are mostly
intelligent students from the public schools and the provinces. Lack of books
and untrained teachers prevent them from having a level playing field with the
other freshmen. A year of catching up is necessary for them to have the skills
to have a mano-a-mano with the other students.
(9) Moreover, I introduce them to the worlds of the language they are studying
– be it in the formal realm of the textbook or the popular ones of film,
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graphic novel, YouTube or anime. I encourage them to keep a journal as
well, which is not a diary where you write what time you woke up and why.
A journal, or its postmodern cousin, the Web log or blog, aims to capture
impressions or moods on the wing. If at the same time it sharpens the students’
knowledge of English, then that is already hallelujah for the English teacher.
(11) So it’s not a choice between English and Filipino, but rather, English
and Filipino, plus the language of one’s grandmother, be it Bikolano, Waray,
or Tausug. And in college, another language of one’s choice, be it Bahasa
Indonesia, German, or French – the better to view the world from
many
windows, since to learn a new language is to see the world from another
angle of vision. In short, one no longer has to live between two languages, but
to live in a mansion of many languages.
(12) To end in a full circle, we must return to Rolando S. Tinio, who said: “Only
the mastery of a first language enables one to master a second and a third. For
one can think and feel only in one’s first language, then encode those
thoughts and feelings into a second and a third.”
(13) In short, as a friend and fellow professor has put it, “The Philippines is
a multi-lingual paradise.” The earlier we know we live in a paradise of many
languages, the better we can savor its fruits ripened by the sun.
Application
1. Pre-Writing. Before you write your explanation essay, fill in the blanks below.
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What is the phenomenon you are explaining?
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Did you do research for your explanation
essay?
Enrichment Activity:
Make a new list of trivia questions. Provide an answer for each of the
questions on your list.
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Assessment:
A. The reading selection given above is an example of an explanation essay.
Sharpen your understanding if the text by answering the following questions.
1. Based on how the text was written, what is an explanation essay for you?
2. How does the author introduce the topic?
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identified in no. 4? Give three answers.
B. Write an explanation essay on any topic of your choice. You may need to
do some research about the topic in order to better explain it. The essay must
be at least 500 words long and is organized as follows
Introduction –one or two paragraphs
Body –at least three paragraphs
Conclusion –one or two paragraphs
Organization
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TOTAL 20 points
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Suggested Links:
http://studyskills.curtin.edu.au/essays/introduction/why -write- essays/#:~:text=Essay
%20writing%20has%20important%20skills,write%20in%20a%20profess ional%20role.
This link discussed the importance of writing an essay. Furthermore, this link also
highlights how writing an essay can transform an individual to become a critical thinker
and to develop different skills which can be used not just in education but also even
after education.
References/Attributions:
Madrunio, M., & Martin, I. (2018). Purposive Communication: Using English
in Multilingual Contexts. Quezon city: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Lesson 2. THE BLOG
Knowing how well you improve every day is very important. Logging your
daily experiences, failures and success, and the things you learned everyday will
allow you to know your weaknesses and strengths. By doing so, you will be able
to overcome your weaknesses and improve your strength. Furthermore, it
will also help you develop different skills. In relation, as time passes by,
even the daily log about your daily experiences becomes modern. Blog gives
you the opportunity to create relevant content not only for you to keep
updated but also for the readers.
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Differentiate between the journal or diary entry and the blog
Appreciate the benefits and challenges of writing a blog
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Write a blog of at least 500 words on any topic of your choice
Getting Started:
Do you recognize the girl in this photo? She is 12-year Anne Frank, a
German-born Jew. What do you know about Anne Frank? Do you research
about her?
Answer the following questions about Anne Frank’s diary entry above.
1. Make a list of all the adjectives and adverbs that you find in the diary entry. What
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do these words reveal about the emotional state of the writer?
2. Comment on the way the diary entry was organized. How is this diary entry
the same or different from another piece of writing such as an explanation
essay?
3. Comment on the tone of the diary entry. How it is different from the tone used in
an explanation essay?
Discussion:
Writing a Blog
Today, with essay access to computers and the Internet, people write
their diaries differently. From handwritten entries on a piece of paper or a
notebook page, diaries contemporary times comes in the form of online journals
which are called blogs.
The term “blog” was first used in the 1990s. It is a short version of “weblog,”
or an individualized piece of written work found on the web. It is defined
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below by dictionay.com.
noun.
1. a website containing a writer's or group of writers' own experiences,
observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other
websites.
2. a single entry or post on such a website:
She regularly contributes a blog to the magazine's website.
Application
Before you write your blog, fill in the table below.
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What is the topic of your blog?
Is this topic interesting to the
general public?
Enrichment Activity:
Check you understanding of the input by answering the following
question:
1. What is a blog
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2. How is blog similar to journal or diary entry?
Assessment:
Write a blog on any topic of your choice. Use the purpose you indicated on
the pre-writing activity for creating the blog. The blog must be at least 500
words long and includes at least three images and three links to other
websites.
Upload your blog to a public site and monitor the reactions you receive from
the general public. Send the link of your blog to your teacher.
CONTENT
Does the blog have a theme or focus that is of interest to the general public? Is 10 points
the purpose of the blog clear? Were you able to communicate your
message well? Dis you provide convincing support for your claims and
assertions?
ORGANIZATION
Have you arranged the main points of your blog clearly and logically? Are there 7 points
order and logic in the ideas you presented in each paragraph and in the entire
blog?
BLOGGING CONVENTIONS
Does the blog observe the conventions of blogging? Does it take a personal and
5 points
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subjective viewpoint? Does it make use of images and graphics well? Does it
provide adequate links to related websites? Is the layout and color scheme
pleasing to the general public?
Did you observe proper use of language forms (grammar) and mechanics 8 points
(punctuation, capitalization, etc.)?
30 points
TOTAL
References/Attributions: