Listening Skills:
Communication
Barriers
Prepared By:
Rei Jarrel P. Agsunod
INTRODUCTION
The Pageantry is a platform for voicing out our concerns and advocacies as we strive
for a better environment. By expressing one’s self in speaking, we inspire others to do the
same. However, having only one skill such as speaking does not motivate others. The art of
listening is also an important skill, we listen to understand and communicate well to those
around us.
Active listening instills the foundation of our advocacy because we hear the plea of
the people around us without discrimination. We listen to understand others and this fosters a
fortitude connection to the community.
In spite of that, there are factors that hinders our active listening skill. Barriers of
listening exist because of the different styles of communication that individuals have.
Because of difference, miscommunication occurs and might lead to arguments. Hence, this
instructional material will provide knowledge and lets you understand the topic.
The learning material consists of: introduction; objectives; discussion; exercises;
answers to exercises; summary; and references.
At the end if this learning material, the learners must have the
following:
Identified the barriers of communication in
pageantry;
Discussed the hindering factors in listening; and
Enhanced active listening.
Pre-Assessment
Instruction: Read the following and write your answer on a piece of paper.
1. What are communication barriers?
a) Physical barriers that stops the sending of messages to a receiver.
b) Obstacles that hinder effective communication and understanding.
c) Techniques that improves effective communication.
d) Methods of non-verbal communication.
2. How can distractions impact effective listening?
a) They prevent the transmission of messages.
b) They make physical barriers between speakers.
c) They change attention and hinder understanding.
d) They cause non-verbal misinterpretation.
3. How can technology affect listening in the digital age?
a) It improves non-verbal communication skills.
b) It enhances empathy and understanding between speakers.
c) It poses challenges such as delays and misinterpretation of messages.
d) It eliminates the need for active listening skills.
Note: The pre-assessment is to only level your general understanding of the topic before the discussion.
Discussion
Communication Barriers are defined as hindering factors in delivering messages
towards the receiver. In this context, we will identify the communication barriers that are
found in beauty pageants.
Communication Barriers in Beauty Pageants
1. Nervousness and Stage Fright: Contestants may experience nervousness and stage
fright, impacting their ability to articulate thoughts clearly. This can result in
difficulty conveying their ideas, answering questions, or expressing themselves
effectively.
2. Time Constraints: Pageants often have strict time limits for responses and
performances. The pressure to deliver concise and impactful messages within a
limited timeframe can hinder effective communication and prevent contestants from
fully expressing themselves.
3. Stereotyping and Bias: Preconceived notions or biases based on appearance,
background, or stereotypes can affect the way judges and the audience perceive
contestants' messages. This can create barriers to open and unbiased communication.
4. Lack of Non-verbal Communication: Pageants heavily rely on non-verbal
communication, including body language, facial expressions, and stage presence.
Inadequate mastery of these non-verbal cues or constraints in stage design can impede
effective communication and the overall impact of the performance.
Hindering Factors in Listening
1. Lack of Interest
- When conversing with topics that don’t interest us, it is likely that we’ll lose focus
on listening and easily get distracted from the environment.
2. Noise
- Unnecessary sounds from the vicinity may distract our active listening and causes
lose of focus from what’s being asked or said.
3. Distractions
- There are some things that distracts us from listening. Though it differs from
everyone on which thing distracts us, being distracted increases the chances of
missing important points or information that may be needed later. When having a
conversation, it is best to keep distractions away and focus on the person in front
of you.
4. Personal Bias
- Listening without bias provides a bigger picture to a situation. However, being
biased clouds our judgement in voicing out reasons which may cause an uproar to
some certain groups.
Assessment
Individual Task
Instruction: Read the questions provided below and answer on a 1 whole sheet of paper.
I. Identification
1. What is the definition of Communication Barriers?
2-5. What are the communication barriers found in beauty pageants?
II.
1. What communication barriers do you usually experience/recognize in a beauty pageant?
2. What tips do you have in active listening?
Paired Task: Share and Tell
Instruction: The pair should take turns in telling an information or story and practice on
actively listening towards one another. Then list down the communication barriers that they
have identified, should there be any, while doing the task.
Individual Task: Reflective Journaling Exercise
This exercise involves keeping a personal journal where you reflect on your communication
experiences and identify any barriers you encounter. After engaging in conversations or
interactions, take some time to write down your thoughts and observations. Consider the
following questions:
What communication barriers did you encounter?
Were there any moments where you felt misunderstood or struggled to understand
others?
Did any personal biases or preconceptions influence your communication?
Were there distractions or external factors that hindered effective communication?
How could you have approached the situation differently to overcome these barriers?
Answers
Individual Task
I. Identification
1. (Answers may vary)
2. Nervousness and Stage Fright
3. Time Constraints:
4. Stereotyping and Bias:
5. Lack of Non-verbal Communication
Summary
Communication barriers are hindering factors that disrupts the transmission of
messages between the sender and receiver. Staying focused on listening from what’s being
said or told keeps us stay in the zone and to identify the main point of the topic, specifically
in the Q and A portion in a pageant.
References:
Nivedita. (2023, April 19). Miss India World 2023 Nandini Gupta: My Biggest Challenge
Was To Overcome My Communication Barrier. https://www.outlookindia.com/.
https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/miss-india-world-nandini-gupta-my-biggest-
challenge-was-to-overcome-my-communication-barrier-news-279548
Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking Before Your Next Pageant. Pageant Designs.
https://pageantdesigns.com/pages/blog-pageant-designs.overcoming-the-fear-of-public-
speaking-before-your-next-pageant/
Temitayo, F. (2018). 5 common factors that affect the ability to listen effectively. Medium.
https://medium.com/@fadojutimitemitayo/5-common-factors-that-affect-the-ability-to-listen-
effectively-91b116ae6b26
