0% found this document useful (0 votes)
62 views33 pages

Module 14 - Receive & Respond To Workplace Communication

This document is a learning guide from Misrak Polytechnic College for a unit on receiving and responding to workplace communication. The guide covers key topics like different forms of communication, the communication process, and barriers to effective communication. It provides learning activities for students to define communication, list different forms, describe the importance and process of communication, and learn how to follow routine spoken messages, gather and interpret information, record instructions, and seek clarification. The overall goal is for students to effectively receive and respond to workplace communication.

Uploaded by

desalew baye
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
62 views33 pages

Module 14 - Receive & Respond To Workplace Communication

This document is a learning guide from Misrak Polytechnic College for a unit on receiving and responding to workplace communication. The guide covers key topics like different forms of communication, the communication process, and barriers to effective communication. It provides learning activities for students to define communication, list different forms, describe the importance and process of communication, and learn how to follow routine spoken messages, gather and interpret information, record instructions, and seek clarification. The overall goal is for students to effectively receive and respond to workplace communication.

Uploaded by

desalew baye
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 33

Misrak Polytechnic College

Installation construction works


Level I

Learning Guide #1

Unit of Competence:
Receive & Respond to Workplace Communication

Module Title:
Receiving & Responding to Workplace Communication

LG Code: CON ICW1 MO14 LO1


TTLM Code: CON ICW1 TTLM 0117v1
Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

LO1: Follow Routine Spoken Messages

Learning Guide #1
Instruction

This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics –

 Communication
 Different forms of Communication
 Importance of effective communication
 Communication process
 Barriers to good communication
 Following routine spoken messages
 Gathering and interpreting information
 Recording instruction
 Responding to instructions
 Seeking clarification

This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –

 Define communication
 List different forms of Communication
 Explain the importance of effective communication in the workplace
 describe the communication process
 List barriers to good communication
 Follow routine spoken messages
 Gathering and interpreting information
 Recording instruction
 Responding to instructions
 Seeking clarification

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 2 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

Learning Activities

1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.

2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheets No 1.1

3. Accomplish the “Self-check 1.1” in page 8.

4. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.

5. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “ACTIVITY SHEETS 1.1-1.5.


However, if your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go
back to Learning Activity #1.

6. Read the information written in the “Information Sheets No 1.2

7. Accomplish the “Self-check” in page 20.

8. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.

9. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “ACTIVITY SHEETS 1.6-1.9.


However, if your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go
back to Learning Activity #2.

Note:

1. You can ask the assistance of your trainer/instructor to show you and explain further
the topic you can’t understand.

2. You can check your answer in self-check by using the answer key

LO1 Follow Routine Spoken Messages


Information Sheet 1.1
Set By Getahun Kifle Page 3 of 33
Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

What is communication?
Communication is not just about talking to someone

Circle the items in the list below that you think are examples of communication

talking listening

holding hands giving the thumbs up

body language sending a fax

Posters using the telephone

If you circled all of them you are right. Communication is any verbal or non-verbal behavior
which gives people an opportunity to send their thoughts and feelings, and to have these
thoughts and feelings received by someone else.
Communication includes elements that you may not consciously think about. For example:

 listening
 seeking clarification
 body language
 blocking and barriers
 general attitude

in any business, there are informal methods of communication, such as conversations


between workers on the shop floor, and formal methods such as memos from the
management. These different methods allow information to reach the right people and help
the business work towards its goals.

Communicating With Others


Communication needs to be clear and effective in order to achieve its aim. When it is not, all
kinds of problems can result.

INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 4 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
If people working together are not able to communicate well, it can lead to confusion,
unhappiness, frustration and annoyance. It can also mean that an organization’s goals will not
be met.

Poor communication may lead to:


 time being lost because work needs to be redone
 accidents
 poor quality service and/or products
 wastage
 people feeling “left out”
 mistakes being made because instructions are not clear
 teams not working well

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
At any workplace where people are able to communicate clearly tends to be a more efficient
working environment.

Effective communication leads to:

 clear instructions so people know exactly what they are expected to do and do it
properly
 people feeling involved because they are well informed
 higher morale and job satisfaction
 people working better as a team
 time and effort saved as people are clear on what to do

To communicate with people effectively you need to:

 make sure it is not too noisy to hear what is being said


 sit or stand so that you directly face the person who you are talking or listening to
 maintain eye contact
 use polite opening and closing greetings
 speak clearly and at a medium pace
 speak in an open and neutral tone
 be straight forward and to the point
 keep the message simple
 be patient
 show interest
 use the words that the people you are talking to can understand
 listen carefully to the conversation so that you get the right message

The need to communicate

In the work environment, you need to communicate with:


 people who belong to your organization

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 5 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
 people who belong outside your organization and wish to do business with you

You communicate with people at work for several reasons, for example, to:
 take a part in friendly conversations
 assist customers
 receive or pass on information and instructions
 discuss problems
 ask for information or ask questions
 get help

It is important that you communicate with both groups in a professional and efficient manner.
People do not work in isolation, no matter what your job is, good communication is vital.

The Communication Process

In order to communicate well, it is helpful to understand the process of communication.


Communication involves:
 a sender who has a message or idea which they wish to send
 a message which is sent between the sender and the receiver
 a method (face-to-face, telephone, letter, form) by which the message is sent
 a receiver who receives and understands the message
 feedback passed from the receiver to the sender showing that the message has been
received and understood.

How ever communication is not always as simple and smooth


Barriers to Good Communication

Barriers to good communication can make things difficult and cause misunderstandings.
Good communication is affected when the sender and the receiver do not understand the
message in the same way.

Good communication can be affected by:

 Non verbal communication which sends the opposite message to what is being said.
Remember that what we see is different to what we hear; the non-verbal
communication always delivers the strongest message. For example, if you tell your
supervisor that you are happy to work late and then spend the whole time looking at
your watch, he or she will believe the non-verbal message which is saying that you
are not happy at all.

 Poor listening. This is so important it is included as a separate topic in the next Unit
of module.

 Use of slang and jargon. People who work in a particular area often talk to each other
in technical jargon or slang they have developed for their own use. This is fine for all
who speak the language, but it makes it hard for newcomers.

 Ambiguity. This refers to the fact that some messages have more than one meaning.
Unless the message means the same thing to both the sender and the receiver,

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 6 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
confusion can arise. It is important to be specific and exact if you are the sender and
to use feedback and questions to check the message if you are the receiver.

 People who think they know everything and don’t listen. They neither give or ask for
feedback and then complain that others send confusing messages.

 Making assumptions about what people do or don’t know. It is important to be clear


about what information people already have. To do this, we should put ourselves in
the place of the receiver and ask ourselves what they need to know in order to
understand our message. We then need to be clear about how we send our message
and what to include in it.

 Poor expression. This means speech or writing that is not clear. Thoughts and
feelings which are presented in illogical order or incorrect spelling, grammar, and
punctuation.

LO1 Follow Routine Spoken Messages


Self Check 1.1 Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

 Answer the following Questions. Get the answer sheet from your trainer/instructor.

Satisfactory
Questions
Response
 The trainee should answer the following questions YES NO

1. What is the main essence of communication?

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 7 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
___________________________________

2. Identify at least 5 results of poor communication


 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________

3. The result if people in the workplace are not able to


communicate clearly
___________________________________

4. Identify at least 3 reasons why people at work communicate


 ___________________________
 ___________________________
 ___________________________

5. This can make communication difficult and cause


misunderstanding
___________________________________

 The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was


[ ] Satisfactory [ ] Not satisfactory
 Feedback to Trainee:

Trainee’s Signature: Date:


Instructor’s Signature: Date:

Answer Key
1. To send and receive messages

2. Accidents
Wastage
Accidents
Time being lost
Poor quality service or product
People feeling “left out”
Mistakes being made

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 8 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
Teams not working well

3. It can lead to confusion and the goals


will not be met

4. To assist customers
Receive or pass messages/instructions
Discuss problems
Ask for information
Get help

5. Barriers to communication

LO1 Follow Routine Spoken Messages


Activity Sheet Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 1.1: Identifying samples of communication

Cut and paste pictures on the boxes that will give samples of communication. Give the
specifics of the pictures that will identify what is being done or emphasized.
Picture 1: Talking

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 9 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

Picture 2: Poster

Picture 3: Listening

LO1 Follow Routine Spoken Messages


Activity Sheet Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 1.2: Different Communication Methods

List five (5) different communication methods that you observed at school, at work or at any
public place, even at home.

1.

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 10 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
2.

3.

4.

5.

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet
Module Receiving and Responding to Workplace Communication

Activity 1.3: Poor Communication

Consider a situation in which you experienced poor communication. That is, where the
thoughts or feelings sent by one person were not received in the way they were meant. For
example, you arranged to meet your friends at Robinson’s to go the movies. You were

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 11 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
waiting at the Jollibee where you normally meet and they were waiting at the movies. This
shows that communication had broken down.

What happened? How do you feel?

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet
Module Receiving and Responding to Workplace Communication

Activity 1.4: Good Communication

Consider a situation in which you experienced good communication. What happened? How
did you feel?

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 12 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet
Module Receiving and Responding to Workplace Communication

Activity 1.5: Barriers to Communication

Now that you know a little bit more about barriers to communication, what should you do
when:

Sending a message?

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 13 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

Receiving a message?

Information Sheet 1.2


Listening and Seeking Clarifications
Many people think that being a good communicator means being a good talker. In order to
communicate well, a person does need to be able to speak clearly and present ideas in a
logical, well ordered manner. However, another factor is also extremely important if
communication is to be effective. A good communicator is a good listener. Unless a person
listens to what is being said, no communication actually takes place.

In order to gather information and follow instructions correctly, you need to practice effective
listening.

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 14 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
In the workplace, effective listening helps you to:

 understand instructions clearly


 learn from others
 convey clear messages
 promote good listening in others (if you are prepared to listen to others, they will be
prepared to listen to you)
 offer ideas and take part in discussions
 co-operate with others and work well in a team
 understand the ideas and suggestions of others
 respond in an appropriate manner

The Difference Between Listening and Hearing


People are not often aware that there is a difference between listening and hearing. It is
commonly assumed that because people can hear they can also listen.

Unless people have a physical disability they are able to hear. At any one time, a person is
able to hear many different sounds. Hearing is something which just happens.

Processing Sounds
Listening involves far more than hearing all these sounds. It requires you to translate them, to
make sense out of them, to sort out what is important from what is irrelevant.

Listening requires effort and attention. If someone is explaining to you how to complete a
task and you are distracted you may hear what is said but you may not have listened. In order
to listen, you need to focus on the person, try to understand what is said. Check that you have
understood and ask questions – it actually takes effort.

A great many things can interfere with effective listening. They include:

Noise - it is very hard to listen in a noisy


environment.

Temperature - if you are feeling uncomfortably hot it is


hard to concentrate on listening.

Closeness - when a speaker is too close to you, your mind


may be on the invasion of your space rather than what is being said.

Furniture - the way in which furniture is arranged in a


room may block good listening, for example, if you cannot see the
speaker it is much harder to pay attention

Time - When people are tired or hurried they are


less able to fully concentrate on what is being said

Impatience - if you are feeling impatient and want to get

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 15 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
away to do other things your mind will not be concentrating on the
speaker.

Distractions - any type of distraction whether it be


something going on outside, work or personal worries tends to stop
you from paying full attention to what a speaker says.

Attitude - if you do not like a speaker or do not like


what they are saying you may quickly tune out.

Lack of interest - when you are not interested in a topic


it is difficult to pay full attention.

Thinking you - often people think they already know


already know what is about to be said and so they
don’t bother to listen.

Improving Listening

While there are many things which can interfere with listening it is important to understand
that listening is a skill which can be learnt and that people can work toward improving their
listening skills.

Hearing is a passive process, it just happens and requires no effort.

Listening is an active process you need to make a real effort to not only hear the words said,
but to listen for the message being sent.

Ways to improve your listening skills are:

 not to allow yourself to be distracted by anything or anybody else, always give your
full attention.
 show that you are listening by using positive body language such as:
- looking at the speaker
- sitting up straight
- slightly leaning towards the speaker
- nodding as the speaker talks
- responding with appropriate facial expressions – if you look keen and
interested, the speaker will be encouraged to talk.
 don’t think about what you want to say while the speaker is speaking – listen first
 try not to interrupt the speaker and start talking yourself – concentrate on listening
 give the speaker feedback so they know that you are listening, for example:
- you may ask questions to get more information
- you may ask questions to check that you have understood

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 16 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
- you may repeat back what the speaker has been saying, e.g. “So what you’re
saying is ……”

 try to keep an open mind about what the speaker is saying – you do not need to agree
with everything but it is important to listen first and then make decisions.
 empathize with the speaker – this means trying to see the situation from their point of
view.

Questioning

At work we need to ask questions for many reasons like:

 we need to find out what to do


 we need to get information
 we need to check that we have understood correctly

Questions can be divided into two main categories

 closed questions
 open questions

Closed Questions

Closed questions are used to find out quite particular information. They are questions which
can be answered with a simple yes, no or one word. Such questions do not need a long and
detailed response. They are very useful if you need to find out simple information or need to
check specific details.

Examples of closed questions are:

 Is this where I can store the boxes?


 Can I use this tool?
 Is it lunch time?

Open Questions

Open questions are used to find out detailed information. These questions encourage the
receiver to explain a longer answer. Open questions start with words like “What, When,
Where, Why, and How”. They are used to open up a discussion or conversation. You cannot
give one word answer to these questions.

Examples of open questions are:

 How should I sort this cabinet full of different paints?


 What training will I need to use this equipment?
 What did you mean when you asked me to check the supplies?

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 17 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

Asking questions to clarify understanding

Asking questions shows interest, not ignorance

You will always need to ask questions to clarify information and check instructions.
Remember you have a responsibility to make sure you have understood the information
correctly.

It is much better to ask questions to make sure you are doing the job right than to muddle on
and make a mistake. You will feel upset if you make a mistake, especially if it could have
been avoided by asking a simple question.

Someone who is giving you some information or instructions may not do it very well because
they:

 think you already know more about the subject than you actually do now
 assume that you understand their abbreviations and jargons
 have not planned the instructions or thought about how to give you the information or
instructions
 are too rushed or hurried, they may leave out important pieces of detail

If a person is giving you information or instructions and you are not clear what they mean,
always ask questions:

 Do you mean ……?


 Where is that exactly?
 The large ones or the small ones?
 Do you want me to do right away or when I have finished this?

Sometimes the instructions you are being given are quite long. In this situation you might
need to interrupt to seek clarification before the speaker moves onto the next instruction. For
example:

 Excuse me. I don’t understand where the boxes are.


 Could you repeat that please? I didn’t catch the name of the item you want me to
move.

Sometimes people give vague instructions that you may want to clarify:

 How far down there do you want me to put it?


 How many of them do you want me to bring?
 What time this afternoon do you want that done by?

When you ask a question, it is often a good idea to repeat back the answer to make sure you
have heard it correctly.

To check that you have heard and interpreted the message properly, put the message into your
own words and ask whether that is what they meant. For example:

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 18 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

 So you want me to ………


 Can I just check the details? I need to ………
 Let me see if I’ve understood properly, this goes ………
 Reconfirming that you would like me to ………

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Self Check 1.2 Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

 Answer the following Questions. Get the answer sheet from your trainer/instructor.

Satisfactory
Questions
Response
 The trainee should answer the following questions YES NO

1. This involves far more than just hearing sounds


___________________________________

2. This refers to the hindrances in effective listening


___________________________________

3. It is the active process of the sounds that you hear.


___________________________________

4. What should you do to check that you have heard and


interpreted the instructions clearly.
___________________________________

5. The process of clarifying your understanding about the


instructions.
___________________________________

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 19 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

 The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was


[ ] Satisfactory [ ] Not satisfactory
 Feedback to Trainee:

Trainee’s Signature: Date:


Instructor’s Signature: Date:

Answer Key

1. Listening

2. Barriers

3. Listening

4. Ask questions

5. Asking Questions

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 20 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity1.6: Hearing Sounds

Stop for a minute. What sounds do you hear? Write down all the sound you can hear.

Based on your list, what have you noticed?

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 21 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 1.7: Barriers to effective listening

Read the following description of Eddie and Alfonzo communicating in the car plant
assembly line. Look back at the list of things that can interfere with listening, and see if you
can find five things that are making listening difficult in this situation.

There was a problem at the conveyor belt and Eddie had been trying to speak to
Alfonzo all day. The belt was moving very slowly and making a strange noise.
Eddie was becoming frustrated because the parts for assembly were still coming
at the usual speed and now there was quite a backlog of work. When he saw
Alfonzo coming towards him, Eddie asked for a quick word. Alfonzo was late for a
meeting and kept looking at his watch. He was becoming impatient as Eddie tried
to explain the problem.

As they were talking, the strange noise became so loud that they could hardly
hear each other. In the middle of all this, Ruel walked up and started telling both
men about the problem with one of the company vehicles. Alfonzo said that the
vehicles had nothing to do with him and that he didn’t really want to hear about
the problem with the conveyor belt either. He told Eddie and Ruel to take care of
it themselves, looked at his watch again, and rushed on to the meeting.

 List down the barriers to listening that you found. The first one has been given.

1. Attitude towards the speaker. Alfonzo doesn’t like what he is hearing from Eddie so
he just turned out.

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 22 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

2. ____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 1.8: How well do you listen

Think about how well you listen.

 What steps do you need to take to improve your listening skills?

1.

2.

3.

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 23 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

LO1 Follow routine spoken messages


Activity Sheet Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 1.9: Asking Questions

Find out exactly what is the system of disposing and condemning of used supplies and
materials in TWC,(ask some Personnel or Trainers about it) and list them below.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

 What questions did you ask in order to make sure you got all the detail?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 24 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Misrak Polytechnic College

Installation construction works


Level I

Learning Guide #2

Unit of Competence:
Receive & Respond To Workplace Communication

Module Title:
Receiving & Responding To Workplace
Communication

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 25 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

LG Code: CON ICW1 MO14 LO2


TTLM Code: CON ICW1 TTLM 0117v1

LO2: Perform Workplace Duties Following Written Notices

Instruction Learning Guide #2


This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics –
 Perform workplace duties following written notices
 Reading and interpreting notices
 Following written instruction
 Providing feedback
 receiving information
 Following verbal instruction
 Following written instructions/procedures
 Seeking clarification from workplace supervisor/trainer when any
instruction/procedure is not understood

This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –
 Explain what you should do when receiving information
 Follow verbal instruction
 Follow written instructions/procedures
 Seek clarification from workplace supervisor/trainer when any instruction/procedure
is not understood
 Providing feedback

Learning Activities
10. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.

11. Read the information written in the “Information Sheets No 2

12. Accomplish the “Self-check 2 ” in page 30.


13. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 26 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
14. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “ACTIVITY SHEETS 2.1-2.2. However, if
your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning
Activity #2.
Note:
3. You can ask the assistance of your trainer/instructor to show you and explain further
the topic you can’t understand.
4. You can check your answer in self-check by using the answer key

LO2: Perform Workplace Duties Following Written Notices


Information Sheet 2
Receive and Follow Instructions
When you are receiving instructions from someone else, especially if they are speaking to
you:

 stop whatever else you are doing


 focus on the person speaking
 if you can, make notes about the details
 when the person has finished, tell them what you understood from their instructions to
make sure you have understood them correctly
 check how long the task should take you.

If you do not carry out the instructions correctly, it will be your mistake. You have a
responsibility to make sure that you have understood correctly. Mistakes are often made
because:

 the instructions were not heard correctly due to:


- too much noise around – ask to move to a quieter place
- the person not speaking loudly or clearly enough – ask them to speak up
 not enough detail was given:
- ask for more information – don’t assume you know what they mean
 the meaning was unclear:
- check the outcome and the purpose of the task
- repeat back what you have heard and understood to check that it is correct.

Following Instructions

In our everyday lives we constantly need to follow instructions. These may be written – how
to use a new DVD player/recorder or spoken – where to meet a friend. In a work
environment you may find that a considerable amount of your time involves following

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 27 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
instructions. For this reason it is vital to develop your skills so you are able to do this in an
efficient manner.

Written Information Sources

In the workplace, written information can take the form of:

 letters
 memos
 informal notes
 faxes
 emails
 text messages
 workplace signs
 instruction manuals

Following Written Instructions

The following points should help you to follow written instructions in a more effective way.

 Read through all the instructions or steps before beginning the task. This will give a
clear picture of what the whole tasks involves
 If diagrams are provided take the time to look at them carefully. As you work through
the task check the diagrams to make sure that your work matches the example given.
 If you are not sure of the meaning of any words or terms take the time to find out the
correct meaning. Ask your workplace supervisor if you guess correctly you may find
that you cannot complete the task or that the finished task is not done properly
 Avoid the temptation to try to complete the task before reading all the instructions.
Although the job may take a little longer, it will save time in the long run as you may
avoid mistakes.

Following Spoken Instructions

Spoken instructions are generally received face to face or via the telephone. The following
points should help you follow spoken instructions in a more effective way.

 When following spoken instructions, it is absolutely essential that you listen. Avoid
jumping to conclusions or assuming that you know how to complete the task. Use all
your listening skills to ensure that you receive the message accurately.
 Ask questions if you are uncertain about particular steps. Sometimes people are afraid
to ask questions because they think they will look stupid. Remember questioning
shows that you are keen and interested and it is always better to ask questions rather
than make a mistake.
 Be sure that you understand all he words or terms being used.
 If you are receiving instructions over the telephone, always write down the
information accurately.

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 28 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
 Repeat the instructions back to the instructor to be sure that you have fully understood
all the details.
 It often helps if you can complete the task once with the instructor. This will give you
a chance to ask questions and check other things as you work through the job.

Perform workplace duties following


LO2
written notices
Self Check 2
Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

 Answer the following Questions. Get the answer sheet from your trainer/instructor.

Satisfactory
Questions
Response
 The trainee should answer the following questions YES NO

1. What do you mean by jargons?


___________________________________

2. Identify the things that you should do in receiving instructions


a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
d. ___________________________
e. ___________________________

3. This is generally received face-to-face or via telephone.


___________________________________

4. What are the two types of instructions


a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________

5. Identify at least 4 types of written information


________________ ___________________

________________ ___________________

 The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was


[ ] Satisfactory [ ] Not satisfactory
 Feedback to Trainee:

Trainee’s Signature: Date:

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 29 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication
Instructor’s Signature: Date:

Answer Key

1. The term refers to slang words

2. Stop whatever you are doing


Focus on the person speaking
Make notes about the details
Clarify/verify the instructions
Check how long the task will take you

3. Spoken Instructions

4. Spoken Instructions
Written Instructions

5. Letters
Memos
Informal Notes
Faxes
Emails
Text Messages
Workplace Signs
Instruction manuals

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 30 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

Perform workplace duties following


LO2
written notices
Activity Sheet
Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 2.1: Receiving Instructions

Draw a sketch or make a collage that displays the skills of being able to receive instructions.

In your sketch or collage, pay attention how they stand, how they demonstrate understanding.
Describe in words or pictures what else is happening around this person to assist them in
receiving information.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 31 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

______________________________________________________________

Perform workplace duties following


LO2
written notices
Activity Sheet
Receiving and Responding to Workplace
Module
Communication

Activity 2.2: Following Instructions

Observe or think about a worker or a person who has difficulty following instructions.

Under each of the headings, list the things that stop him or her from easily following
instructions.

Listening Skills

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Speaker who is providing instructions

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Environment

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 32 of 33


Misrak Polytechnic College Receive & Respond to Workplace
Communication

_____________________________________________________________

Set By Getahun Kifle Page 33 of 33

You might also like