NAME: BENARD TOBOSWO TIROP
ADMISSION NUMBER: 2023AE155248
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
TASK: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT ON INSTRUCTIONAL
BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION AND HOW TO OVERCOME
THEM
10TH JULY, 2023
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INSTRUCTIONAL BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION AND
HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
COMMUNICATION
Communication is the process of creating and conveying meaningful messages from one person
to another. Communication can be through speech or oral, written, graphical and even signs,
signals, and behavior.
Four Types of Communication
Generally, there are four types of communication that helps to convey our messages. Each type of
communication has its importance. And it should be done to give the message in the best way
possible.
1. Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is interacting through speaking. It is the most popular way of
communication that we regularly use in the form of talking. People use verbal communication
through their voice, gesture and body language.
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For example, speech, conversation, talking on the phone, voicemail, or giving an announcement.
They are all verbal communication. Essentially, it is used to express thoughts, emotions and
sentiments. It is the basic form of communication we learn from childhood by hearing people
around us talk.
There are 4 forms of verbal communication.

Intrapersonal Communication: It is the form of communication we have with ourselves.
It can be self-talk, acts of imagination and visualization, and also recall and memory.

Interpersonal Communication: It is the form of communication we have with another
person. It is the form of communication we have with another person. The interaction is
usually one to one. So here both person shares express their feeling, thoughts and
information.

Small-Group Communication: It is conversing among two or more people. Just like
when we talk among friends and family members.

Public Communication: It is when we give a speech in a large gathering. Here, everyone
receives the same message. Public speaking on a topic and election campaigns are
examples of public communication.
2. Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication is the process of interacting without speaking or making noise.
Essentially, you have to use:

Body language,

Gestures,

Facial expressions,

Eye contact,

Haptics (touch),

Appearance,

Artefacts.
3. Written communication
A form of communication that is done with the aid of written words is written communication. It
is a way of conveying our thoughts and feelings with the help word written or typed. We usually
use written communication when sending letters, emails chatting on digital platforms, reports,
articles or memos, etc.
Written communication can be edited. It also leaves a trail of what you said. Written
communication can be time-consuming and also somewhat unsuitable for confidential
communication. But it can be used along with the aid of visual communication too.
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4. Visual Communication
The use of visual elements to communicate ideas and information is visual communication. A few
examples of visual communication are:

Signs,

Typography,

Drawing,

Maps,

Colour,

Graphic design,

Illustration,

Industrial design,

Advertising,

Animation,

Electronic resources

Movies and video clips are also a form of visual communication.
Visual communication also includes icons and emoticons. Each icon and sign have a meaning.
When these icons are displayed somewhere, they inform the user of their meaning and application.
The internet uses a combination of text, design, links, images, and colour to interact with the
public. It is one of the best instances of visual communication.
What are the Characteristics of Effective Communication?
The key to overcoming barriers to effective communication is knowing its characteristics.
Effective communication depends upon lots of factors. For example, the effective transferring of
information requires the art of listening carefully. It also requires reading the information,
understanding, processing it and then transferring it.
Communication also highly depends upon different factors like gesture, posture, tone of voice and
spoken language. If someone cannot understand the message because of these factors, then a
communication barrier might be created.
Here is 7’C, the characteristics of effective communication:
1. Clear
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Effective communication depends on the clarity of the message. The more precise your message,
the easier it is for the receiver to decipher it in accordance with your actual purpose. Many barriers
to effective communication occur due to a lack of clarity in the message.
2. Concise
In order to make effective communication, the message must be to the point. The message must
be more about its content rather than its length. Do not add irrelevant information. As a result, it
will be easier for the receiver to grasp the exact message. Furthermore, it will make your
conversation less time-consuming.
3. Concrete
Effective communication requires specific, tangible and valid information. The message you
transfer must be supported with facts for increased credibility. It helps your receiver or audience
to understand the broader picture of your message. Concreteness reduces the possibility of
misunderstanding, builds trust, and encourages constructive criticism.
4. Correct
For effective communication, the language should be accurate. Also, the grammar and syntax
should be correct. It increases the authenticity and credibility of the message. Any errors can
degrade the clarity of your message, cause vagueness, and raise doubts. They may also have an
adverse effect on the overall interpretation of the message. This may give a clumsy or negligent
impression to your receiver.
5. Considerate
Effective communication must be judgement free. You and your receiver must consider each
other’s background and perception. For example, if your message conveys double meaning, sounds
disrespectful. Therefore, it might affect the receiver emotionally, and they might see it in the wrong
way.
6. Complete
Effective communications are complete because the receiver receives all the information. Giving
a complete message helps them digest and act on the message correctly. Likewise, the message
should have all the information to act upon. A complete message minimizes the need for followup questions. It also makes the communication process run more smoothly.
7. Courteous
Courtesy is the act of respecting the culture, values and beliefs of the receiver. In a way, it is like
consideration. The message should avoid any kind of judgment or discrimination that might hurt
other persons’ feelings. Instead, give a message that sounds genuinely polite and unbiased.
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HAT ARE COMMUNICATION BARRIERS?
Anything that prevents us from receiving and understanding a message is a communication
barrier.
If you want to overcome the barrier to effective communication, you have to understand what kind
of barrier you are facing.
1. Linguistic Barriers
It is the barrier caused due to differences in language, dialect or accent.
2. Psychological Barriers
Effective communication requires a perfect balance of emotions and facts. Emotions like anger,
frustration, and humour can cloud a person’s decision-making abilities. Therefore, they confine
their communication effectiveness.
3. Emotional Barriers
Effective communication requires a perfect balance of emotions and facts. Emotions such as anger,
frustration, and humor can affect a person’s decision-making abilities and, therefore, confine their
communication effectiveness.
4. Physical Barriers
It is any form of object or sounds that causes obstruction in conveying the message. They include
noise, closed doors, faulty communication equipment, closed cabins, and so on.
5. Cultural Barriers
Different culture has a different belief, way of talking and living. Like when people from different
cultures communicate in different ways, such as speaking different languages, holding different
cultural beliefs, or using various gestures and symbols. Their cultural differences may become
barriers to effective communication when they meet or communicate with people from different
cultures.
6. Organizational Structure Barriers
In any organization, there are many ways to communicate. Not using a proper communication
system or using many different communication systems may create difficulty to deliver the
message correctly.
7. Attitude Barriers
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Being too introverted or extroverted can create barriers to effective communication. Throwing
tantrums or egos during a conversation is a way that makes other people uncomfortable. It reduces
the transfer of meaningful messages.
8. Perception Barriers
Having different points of view on a matter can create barriers to effective communication. Not
being considerate of another perspective forms an obstacle in communicating correctly.
9. Physiological Barriers
Specific disorders, diseases, or other limitations may also deter effective communication. The
shaky voice, dyslexia and others are examples of physiological barriers.
9 WAYS TO OVERCOME THE BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION?
1. Make Your Ideas Clear Before Communicating
Give a thought to what you are going to say. You need to have clear ideas about what you are
about to speak. Know the motive behind the subject. Begin with a clear goal of communication
and precise thinking.
2. Choose appropriate time to communicate
When you speak to someone, try to see the time and the mood of the person. Do not go and knock
on your colleague after office hours.
Time is an important factor in communication. When a group of people initiates communication,
you must pay attention and communicate in due time.
It is also important to say the right thing at the proper time. For example, when your listener is in
a sad situation, don’t try to tell an irrelevant joke. Or, if your listener is in a particularly happy
mood, do not say anything that will trigger sadness or a bad mood.
3. Use a Language Your Listener Can Understand
You have to ensure that you are speaking the language which your listener can understand. Make
your grammar and vocabulary as easy as possible while talking and writing.
4. Make your Message to the Point and Short
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When speaking or writing emails or chatting, make your message to the point. Firstly, avoid any
kind of unnecessary information. Secondly, only communicate one idea, thought or feeling at a
time.
Thirdly, do not make your message too lengthy. When people hear long messages, they usually
lose track of it, get bored or lose interest in the topic. Your message receiver will have a hard time
grasping the message and take action on it. As a result, it will increase your time to explain again.
5. Check if the Other Person has Understood Your Message
When you communicate with someone else, ensure that they understood the message properly.
Giving and requesting feedback proves that you are serious about what the other person says and
their views on the subject.
6. Take Care of Your Body Language, Tone and Content of the Message
Your expressions, gestures, posture and voice tones are powerful tools. Whenever you are
speaking, make sure you are communicating with correct body language.
Aggressively saying something good might take your listener aback. Use a polite tone is equally
important.
7. Listen Before you speak again
For effective communication, you must always listen to the other person attentively. Even though
you and the other person may have a different perception of the subject, listening to the person
overcomes barriers.
By listening, you will make the other person feel that their perception is equally important as yours.
Furthermore, you will be apple to give more appropriate feedback.
8. Do Not Interrupt When Someone Else is speaking
Strongly avoid interrupting someone when they are speaking. Wait till they are finished with what
they are saying. It is considered rude behaviour. But when you interrupt someone, it distracts them
from the things they were saying. As a result, they might lose their flow.
So if you are interrupting someone, you must have a strong reason for it. Otherwise, strictly avoid
speaking until the other person is done.
9. Make your Message Judgement Free
When you are speaking, do not speak rudely or impolitely about someone’s culture, religion or
belief. It will demean your listener and may affect your listener emotionally. As a result, they will
lose interest in the conversation.
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Respecting other people’s opinions and perspectives plays a huge role in overcoming barriers to
effective communication. If you want to say something about a culture, religion, or belief, make
sure you say it politely.
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