NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

“YOU SEE, BUT YOU DO NOT OBSERVE” SHERLOCK HOLMES

Definition, body language, gestures, eye contact, posture, voice

WHAT IS NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION?

BODY LANGUAGE

Over 700.000 different physical signs Face is capable to 250.000 different

expresions 5.000 hand gestures 1.000 kinds of postures

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS Facial expressions are

often more convincing than words. They carry the greatest impact in convincing someone of something.

6 emotions – foundation of all expressions: surprise, fear, anger, disgust, happines, sadness

Teachers –Smile!!!

The most powerful facial expression is the smile. Students like teachers who smile a lot, because teachers who smile send out the message that:

they are enjoying being with the students they are relaxed they are confident

open, receptive face - the teacher is waiting for the answer.

'calm, assertive‘ - 'straight face' which sends the message that you're in control.

Teachers must take care of their facial expressions

They should hide that they are angry and frustrated

The control of facial expressions becomes better with practice and experience.

Eye contact

eye contact with individual students

extended stare

no 'rolling your eyes'

standpoint for scanning the room

Gestures

Teachers use gestures in the classroom to: make the lesson content clearer by

emphasizing specific points hold attention better and maintain interest remind students of specific routines – (to look

at whiteboard or screen, to listen carefully, not to 'rock' on the chair etc.)

bring students back 'on task' maintain the flow of an activity - some kind

of 'continue' gesture makes it clear that you want more information in the answer from the student

Posture If you want to give students

positive non verbal cues make sure:

you stand 'centre stage' when you want everyone's attention

your body language shows you take the classroom business seriously

you move around the room frequently - this tells your students you own all the classroom space

you look relaxed, confident, 'calm and assertive'

Voice and Vocalization

Vocalizations include giggling, sighing, yawning, a nervous cough, repeated use of phrases such as, 'You know..‘, 'I mean..‘

If you're feeling nervous it often comes through in your voice. (practice in advance)

Breathing control exercises might also help - often just pausing for a second or two to gather your breath and your thoughts helps establish the right tone of voice.

Teachers usually become less nervous as they become more experienced.

WATCH THE SPACEType of space

Measurement of space

Purpose of space

Intimate Under 50cm This distance is primarily for confidential exchanges and is almost always reserved for close friends

Personal 50cm to 1.2m This distance is comfortable for conversation between friends

Social 1.2m to 4m This is the ordinary distance people maintain from one another for most social and business exchanges

Public Over 4m At this distance, perhaps in a shopping mall or on the street, people barely acknowledge each other’s presence. At most they give a nod or a shake of the head.

The student should:

Respond to non-verbal cues appropriately Express reactions without dialogue Support the tone and intent of the conversation

with different types of nonverbal communication cues (eyebrows raised, gestures)

Use appropriate eye-contact Be able to keep an appropriate social distance

for the situation Use appropriate gestures to support dialogue Display attending behaviors to conversations,

such as watching, using active listening skills, or making appropriate eye contact

Be able to self-monitor types of nonverbal communication and make changes in responses if necessary

HOW TO DETECT WHEN YOUR STUDENT IS LYING?

Decreased hand activity (unconsciously you suppress them: hide them, sit on them, stuff them deep into your pockets, clasp one firmly with the other)

Increased face touching (the chin stroke, the lips press, the mouth cover, the nose touch, the cheek rub, the eyebrow scratch, the earlobe pull, the hair groom)

Increased body shifting (squirms, restless)

Conclusion Non verbal communication is an important

part of human interaction. Our body language produces 'emotional leakage' and allows other people to 'read' us. a teacher should have control over the non verbal cues, and on the other side, use non verbal cues to reinforce his words and intentions in the classroom.

HOW WELL YOU CAN INTERPRET NONVERBAL MESSAGES?

Match the action with the message. action

message1. Slapping your forehead a. ‘I’m angry’ with the heel of you hand b. ‘I forgot

something’2. Wrinkling your forehead c. ‘I’m getting

impatient’ and frowning d. ‘I don’t

understand’3. Tapping your fingers on e. ‘I don’t like that’ a desk table4. Slamming a book down on a desk or table5. Wrinkling your nose

Thank you for your attention!