1. Unit 1 – TASK 4

3. Cultural Barriers to Effective Communication Effective Communication is very important in sustaining a personal and a business relationship. Without proper communication between the two parties, they can fail to build a bond. In todays society there are always many different cultures in one individual community, quite often this can be a huge contributor to the absence of effective communication. Cultural Barriers; -Social and Economic Conditions -Cultural Background -Language and Accent

4. Social and Economic Conditions : In society people hold a different status to each other, and this can lead to some people not communicating with each other or having a lack of communication. People holding a higher rank or higher position in society may find it more difficult to communicate with each other. This can also been seen in an economic condition where someone who is financial stable or in a high economic position may not communicate openly with people who are not in a good financial position. In conclusion people from a rich family may not relate themselves with people from a poor family there for creating a communication gap. Cultural Background: Cultural backgrounds can refer to which country some might come from. People who are from different background may find it difficult to communicate with some from another background, due to the views and beliefs that they are bought up on. This barrier can make people feel uncomfortable talking to each other, in case one another may say something that is against what they have been taught or believe in. Language and Accent: Language and Accent can cause communication problems. People find it difficult or are not confident when it comes to talking to someone who dose not speak there language. For example there is a language barrier between someone who is from china and someone who is from Ireland.

5. Using a language that whoever you are trying to communicate to are familiar to or can understand. Respecting peoples belief and not judging them, will over come conflict and help communication. If you are unsure of someone beliefs or culture, try not to make reference related to a specific culture or religion that may offend them. Knowing specific or key information about peoples religions or cultures can help you communicate accurately with people from specific cultures. Regarding communication within the workplace, at training sessions, training information should be in multi languages to help have a better understanding. Treat people from other cultures with respect, don’t judge them for what they believe in or what they practice, this make sure there is healthy communication.

6. A Fact is something that is true and a opinion is something that is thought or expressed by yourself. A fact can be supported by evidence where as an opinion is just something you belief. Facts should be considered first over an opinion, because a fact is true, where as an opinion is just someone's idea on something. Understanding this can lead to a solid communication between two parties. Some people are led to believe that there opinion is a fact, and this can lead to serious breakdown of communication, because the opposite party may think or know otherwise. With opinions people who have two different opinions may find it difficult to communication positively. Their views may be different due to religious believe or culture up bringing's. Mechanisms that can be used to reduce the impact of these barriers Knowing the correct difference between a fact and opinion and being able to acknowledge that, will help build effective communication between two parties. Valuing someone's opinion and letting someone explain their opinion can increase communication.

7. When providing information it is essential you prove the correct information or the most accurate. Giving accurate information can save money and time and can ensure any process is done smooth without and problems. If you skip information or give information falsely it can create hassle and disappointment. If when dealing with a client your provide false information or in accurate information it can break down the relationship between the two parties in turn breaking down the communication between the two.

9. Interpersonal communication is the way people transfer information, feelings and meaning to one another through verbal and non verbal messages. It is a face to face communication. some of the skills that are used in interpersonal commutation are; Verbal Exchanges: A normal conversation is seen as a verbal exchange, verbal exchange basically meaning ‘ words said to each other’ as you could imagine, words being exchanged. This can be from a simple ‘’ hello’’ and in return someone saying ‘’hi’’. It can also be a long conversation that lasts 2 or 3 hours long. The most effective way to use verbal exchange is by really listening to what someone has to say, don’t ignore what they say or not pay attention. Being respectful to what there talking about and be interested, replying appropriately. Signing: signing is a language used to express feeling or meaning, it is often used to communicate to death people, who are un able to hear verbal exchanges. Hand shapes, movement and orientation is what signing is made up off. Facial expressions or body expressions can also help develop and make signing more effective. Lip Reading: lip reading is a skill where by a lip reader observes the movements of the lips and the tongue. A lip reader will also observe the syllables and the natural flow of the way someone speaks.

10. Background noise: background noise can be from people chatting to the traffic on a road. All general noise around is is background noise. Ways to over come the barrier of background noise. An efficient way to overcome background noise is to change location of the place you are communicating with in. Distractions: there can be all sorts of distractions around you when trying to communicate, this can be from people talking around you to or something like music or a TV playing in the background that can draw your attention as well. To avoid distraction you can try and base your meeting, for example, in a place with minimal distractions like a room with no poster or picture, or with things with whatever the focus of the topic is. Lack of concentration: someone who is lacking concentration can come across as if there not listening, they can be fidgeting and not making eye contact. It is very important to keep eye contact when communicating, as you can take in most effiecnt the information you need. To try and gain more concentration try using techniques to improve this ; for example playing with a little ball of blue tac in your hand.

11. Open: open question are pretty much self explanatory. The question asked is left open so that it can be answered to a much longer response. This could lead to the person asking the question receiving more information they intended to receive. There are lots of examples of open question, some tend to be more open than other, getting more information. Closed: closed questions are complete opposite to an open question, they are used to have a short focused communication. There effective with in communication to engage either one of the parties to encourage the communication. Closed question responses tend to be one word answers; for example ‘’yes’’ or ‘’no’’. Leading: leading questions are asked to get a more balanced response from someone, or to lead someone into telling you a particular part you want to hear. For example in stead of asking “did you have a good day at work?” makes you think about good things, where by if you was to lead by asking “how was work today?” they can think of an overall day good or bad. Getting a more varied answer with information. In terms of communication and communicating effectively, using various question types would prove this. Starting of with closed questions to engage the different parties, and the following by closed and leading questions.

13. Grammar: it is very important to use grammar correctly when writing. One of the reason is because it will help engage your readers more, they will be concentrating on what you have written rather than the mistakes you have made. Spelling: spelling is important because if you don’t spell something correctly it will make you look illiterate, this can course confusing and miss understanding in communication. An example could be when you are writing a letter and you spell the address wrong.

14. Problems with note taking : Note taking is always done with short hand. I.e. you miss words out or you rush and create spelling mistakes. This can cause problems because there can be miss communication when trying to piece the information together at a later date. This can lead to displaying in accurate information. With todays technology a more informative method would be to use small digital recorders that will record any conversation or speech and let you have full access to it and your disposal. This is efficient so you will not miss any information. It is acceptable to proof read your own work, but it is always important to get another person to read through it, some one who isn't aware of the content in the draft. This is to ensure they are not influenced by either there own work or referring it to other works.