EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNICATION
ESSENTIALS
• Formal vs Informal Language
• Common Phrases and Expressions
• Barriers to Effective Communications
Formal and informal language serve different purposes. The
tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put
together vary between the two styles. Formal language is less
personal than informal language. It is used when writing for
professional or academic purposes like university assignments.
Formal language does not use colloquialisms, contractions or
first
pronouns
such
as
“I”
or
“We”.
Informal language is more casual and spontaneous. It is used
when communicating with friends or family either in writing or in
conversation. It is used when writing personal emails, text
messages and in some business correspondence. The tone of
informal language is more personal than formal language.
COLLOQUIALISM
• It is an informal word, phrase, or expression that is commonly
used in everyday conversation but is not considered formal
or standard language.
COLLOQUIALISM
Examples:
“Gonna” instead of “going to”
“Wanna” instead of “want to”
“Y’all” instead of “you all”
“Gimme a break” instead of “give me a break”
CONTRACTIONS
• Contractions are unique type of word that combines two or
more other words in a shortened form, usually with an
apostrophe.
• Contractions are an incredibly useful way to save time in both
writing and speech, but there are a lot of rules about when
and how to use them (for example, in formal writing they are
considered inappropriate.
CONTRACTIONS
• Contractions all have a definite spelling, which means you
can not just combine words however you like.
• In sentence structure, contractions act in the same way as
the words that make them.
CONTRACTIONS
Examples:
I do not understand how to use contractions.
I don’t understand how to use contractions.
The research project will not continue next year.
The research project won’t continue next year.
Activity
Formal: Write a formal letter to your teacher explaining why you
couldn’t submit your homework on time, providing a valid
reason and asking for guidance on how to proceed.
Informal: Write a text to a friend explaining why you didn’t hand
in your homework and asking if they have any advice or if you
can still turn it in late.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. LANGUAGE BARRIER
a. Jargon and Technical Terms: Using specialized
language or acronyms that the other party does not
understand.
b. Foreign
Languages:
Communicating
with
someone who speaks a different language without
a common understanding
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
2. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
a. Cultural Norms: Different cultural backgrounds
can lead to misunderstandings due to varying
communication styles and norms.
b. Non-verbal Communication: Gestures and body
language can have different meanings in different
cultures.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
a. Stress and
Anxiety: High levels of stress or
3. EMOTIONAL
BARRIERS
anxiety can hinder one’s ability to communicate
effectively.
b. Emotional Bias: Allowing personal emotions to
influence the way a message is received or
delivered.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
4. PHYSICAL BARRIERS
a. Environmental Noise: Background noise can
disrupt communication.
b. Distance: Physical separation can make
communication more difficult, especially without
the aid of technology.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
5. PERCEPTUAL BARRIERS
a. Stereotypes and Assumptions: Preconceived
notions about others can distort the message
being communicated.
b. Selective Perception: The tendency to hear what
we want to hear and ignore the rest.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
6. PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS
a. Mental Health Issues: Conditions like depression
or ADHD can impact the ability to communicate
clearly.
b. Resistance to Change: An unwillingness to
accept new ideas or perspectives can block
effective communication.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
7. ORGANIZATIONAL BARRIERS
a. Hierarchical Structures: In organizations with
rigid hierarchies, communication can be stifled
between different levels.
b. Lack of Clear Channels: Unclear communication
channels within an organization can lead to
misunderstanding and information loss.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
8. INTERPERSONAL BARRIERS
a. Lack of Trust: Distrust between communicators
can inhibit open and honest communication
b. Conflict: Personal conflicts between individuals
can prevent effective communication.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
9. TECHNOLOGICAL
BARRIERS
a. Inadequate Tools:
Lack of access to appropriate
communication technology can hinder effective
communication.
b. Over-reliance
on
Technology:
Excessive
dependence on electronic communication can lead
to misunderstanding, as tone and nuance are often
lost.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
10. LISTENING BARRIERS
a. Poor Listening Skills: Failure to actively listen
can result in missing key parts of the message.
b. Interruptions: Frequent interruptions can disrupt
the flow of communication and lead to incomplete
understanding.