1. Why is communication important in the teaching-learning process?

 Having the ability to communicate is essential for being a good teacher.

Communication not only delivers the information, but it also motivates people to work
more, change their attitudes, and excite their minds. Stereotypes emerge,
communications are twisted, and learning is hindered without it (Davies, n.d).

2. Is public speaking relevant in the Information Age? Why?

 Yes, public speaking is relevant in the Information age because it enables us

to make connections, influence decisions, and encourage change by forming
relationships. The ability to grow in the workplace and life would be practically
impossible without communication skills. In addition to that, it helps to win over the
crowd, to motivate people, and lastly, it is to inform (N.A, 2021).

3. Illustrate the connection among the three: critical thinking, collaboration, and the
writing process.

 According to the article of Learning A-Z, writing is a critical thinking exercise.

Student writers must anticipate their audience, reconsider their phrasing or structure,
and rethink their wording or organization to guarantee that their work achieves a
certain goal: persuade, inform or explain, communicate ideas, or tell a story. On the
other hand, the writing process has also things to consider, first is the audience, for
every composition, there is always an audience and a context. Students become
better at assessing not only who is reading their compositions (students, parents,
teachers, and so on), but also what their audience wants or expects as they write
more. Followed by the revision process in which students are encouraged to reflect
on their thoughts during the editing process. When students re-read a draft, they are
confronted with the most important ideas and priorities that they had when they
wrote it. An undergraduate student may have gained new skills or knowledge that
can be used to a subsequent draft, and this new understanding allows them to see
their ideas differently during revision. Students increase their critical thinking skills
and predictive reading abilities when they practice the metacognitive habits included
in the rewriting process frequently enough. Lastly, the collaboration happens, peer
review, like editing, is an important part of the writing process because it helps
students understand their audience. Students learn to anticipate their peers'
opinions, concerns, and analyses when they participate through peer review.
Students' minds are opened to alternative viewpoints and techniques to comprehend
writing as a result of the constructive comments they receive from their peers.

4. Discuss the intercultural issues in the workplace. Be specific.

 Some of the intercultural issues in the workplace are the following:

Implicit Discrimination
In the workplace, few people would dare to use an insulting term, yet
prejudice can take on a more insidious, structural shape that management is
unaware of. Women and visible minorities may be present at your job, but few
of them may rise to positions of power. By offering support and equitable
chances to all employees, small firms may nip implicit discrimination in the
bud. When possible, base promotions and salary decisions on objective
criteria such as sales figures or performance evaluation information. Assign
helpful mentors to new workers, and ask yourself if you're giving a specific
employee preferential opportunity. Consider why it is justifiable to give
privileges to a select few.

Generational Differences
Ethnicity isn't the only factor in cultural challenges. People from
different age groups were influenced by diverse events growing up, producing
employees with different views toward work and life, making managing across
generations and intercultural problem. Approximately four out of ten people
believe that intergenerational workplaces create management problems, but
they also acknowledge the learning possibilities that those variances bring,
according to a poll conducted by Monster Canada and cited by "The
Vancouver Province." You can manage a workforce with varied worries and
expectations if you understand the characteristics of the workplace's four
generations: Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Traditionalists
(Reinhart, 2016).

5. Compare and contrast: Philippine Workplace vs American Workplace.

1. Time Management

Western: If you have a meeting at 10 AM, you should aim to get there at
 least a few minutes before. More often than not, you can expect it to
start on time.

Filipino: 10 AM? More like 10:30 AM, or possibly even 11. Ish. And if there’s a
high-ranking person attending the meeting, they’ll probably just drop in
somewhere towards the end. Posturing is real.

2. (In)directness
Western: Not a fan of your graphic designer’s initial layout? By all means, tell
them. They’re not likely to take it personally.

Filipino: Saving face is important in these parts, so if you really must reprimand
someone, do it behind closed doors. You may want to use the kiss-kick-
kiss technique to soften the blow as well.

3. Business Meetings
Western: The host will probably dive right into the business of things after
some brief pleasantries as well. If you all set an agenda beforehand,
that will determine the course of the meeting.

Filipino: Before we get down to business, let’s talk about your weekend. Did
you play golf? How are the kids? Also, what was our agenda again?
Really? Hmm, well, you can always talk about that next time. In some
cases, the first business meetings are simply opportunities for each
party to take each other’s measure. The actual deals can be done in
more informal settings, such as over dinner or even a round of golf.

4. “Small Talk”

Western: “So, how’s the weather over there?”

Filipino: “Are you married? Why not?” “Got kids?” “How are you related to *so-
and-so*?” Such questions might sound intrusive, but most Filipinos ask
them to show interest in the other person’s life. Typically, they may also
expect you to ask them about the same things.

5. Honorifics

Western: Unless you call your boss Mr. or Ms. *insert last name here,* there
aren’t a lot of uses for honorifics in a Western workplace. It’s
even perfectly acceptable in most offices to call your boss by their first
name.
 Filipino: Here, we address people by their titles, whether that’s “Chairman,”
“President,” “Attorney,” or “Doctor.” If you’re not sure, “ma’am” or “sir”
will suffice. Never, ever call a superior by their first name.

6. Socialising at Work

Western: Apart from the odd lunch or dinner out, you’ve also got the annual
staff Christmas party. Plus, there are daily chats at the water cooler or
coffee machine.

Filipino: Camaraderie between the staff is crucial for many Filipino companies.
Hence, apart from the daily interactions and occasional lunches out,
they also facilitate team-building activities. This often entails the entire
team or department going on an out-of-town trip (that’s usually fully
funded by the company too) and participating in various games.
Company heads and bosses usually join in too.

7. Dress Code

Western: While more and more workplaces are adopting a more casual
approach, most people show up to business meetings in some version
of the three-piece suit. A button-down shirt, blazer, and a pair of slacks
or a sleek skirt often comprise this.

Filipino: It’s hot and humid in the Philippines, so you’d stick out like a sore
thumb if you show up in a full suit. Instead, people here typically wear
cotton collared shirts, dress pants, or a skirt. Ties are optional and are
often done away with too.

BONUS QUESTION

What have you learned or realized about the health pandemic and the recent
onslaught of Typhoon Odette? How would these situations affect your future? Your
aspirations? your dreams
 During the health pandemic, I realized that every second that I spent with my
family is very important because we never know what our life brings to us, treasuring
those silly moments and creating fun memories will get us through with anything as
long as we face it together, with our family we can face and surpass any challenges,
especially during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette those were tough times, but with
the help of our family member by sticking and helping one another we did slowly
recover thus making us able to help another people since we are united.

REFERENCE

Estrella, S. (2020, December 18). Filipino work culture vs. western work culture: Seven key
differences. Outsourcing Philippines - Hire Filipino Staff Online - Remote Staff.
Retrieved, from https://www.remotestaff.com.au/blog/filipino-work-culture-vs-
western-work-culture-seven-key-differences. Retrieved on January 16, 2022.
Davies, L. (n.d.). Effective communication by Leah Davies, m.ed., Retrieved from
http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/TeacherTip15.html#:~:text=Being
%20able%20to%20communicate%20is,distorted%2C%20and%20learning
%20is%20stifled. Retrieved on January 16, 2022.

Learning A-Z. (2017, December 1). The writing and critical thinking connection . Z.
Retrieved from https://www.learninga-z.com/site/breakroom/writingaz-critical-
thinking#:~:text=Writing%20is%20an%20exercise%20in,or%20to%20tell%20a
%20story. Retrieved on January 16, 2022.

N.A (2021, April 19). 3 reasons why public speaking is important. PAN
Communications. Retrieved from,
https://www.pancommunications.com/insights/3-reasons-why-public-speaking-
is-important/#:~:text=It%20allows%20us%20to%20form,most%20dreaded
%20forms%20of%20communication. Retrieved on January 16, 2022.

Reinhart, C. (2016, October 26). Types of intercultural issues in the Workplace.

Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/types-intercultural-issues-workplace-
17790.html. Retrieved on January 16, 2022.