Nonverbal communication, or body language, is the main way that we portray our feelings and interpret those of others. Some people find it very difficult to control their body language, whilst others find it much easier. Body language includes facial expressions, body movement and gestures, eye contact, posture, the tone of your voice, and even your muscle tension and breathing. The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how you’re feeling than words alone ever can.
To help you display positive and respectful body language, there are some actions you can consider.
These include:
relaxed shoulders
make eye contact where appropriate
remaining neutral in facial expression
avoid crossing legs or folding arms.
When attempting to use positive body language, you must ultimately try to demonstrate that you are actively listening and open to ideas.
The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how you’re feeling than words alone ever can.
Developing the ability to understand and use non-verbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work .
You can enhance effective communication by using open body language—arms uncrossed, standing with an open stance or sitting on the edge of your seat, and maintaining eye contact with the person you’re talking to.
You can also use body language to emphasize or enhance your verbal message—smiling and nodding to a student to complimenting them on their success, for example, or using your arms to underline your message to a colleague.
Be aware of individual differences
People from different countries and cultures tend to use different nonverbal communication gestures, so it’s important to take age, culture, religion, gender, and emotional state into account when reading body language signals. A teenager, a 5 year old, and an older colleague, for example, are likely to use nonverbal signals differently.
Look at the group of non-verbal communication signals, don't just read one...
Don’t read too much into a single gesture or non-verbal cue. Consider all of the non-verbal signals you receive, from eye contact to tone of voice to body language. Anyone can slip up occasionally and let eye contact slip, for example, or briefly cross their arms without meaning to. Consider the signals as a whole to get a better “read” on a person.
Use non-verbal signals that match up with your words
Non-verbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel you’re being dishonest. For example, you can’t say “yes” while shaking your head to indicate no.
Adjust your nonverbal signals according to the context
The tone of your voice, for example, should be different when you’re addressing a child than when you’re addressing a group of adults. Similarly, take into account the emotional state and cultural background of the person you’re interacting with.
Use body language to convey positive feelings even when you're not actually experiencing them.
If you’re nervous about a situation—an interview with the Principal, an important presentation to your colleagues, or supporting a student you have not worked with before, for example—you can use positive body language to signal confidence, even though you’re not feeling it. Instead of tentatively entering a room with your head down, eyes averted, and sliding into a chair, try standing tall with your shoulders back, smiling and maintaining eye contact, and delivering a firm greeting. It will make you feel more self-confident and help to put others at ease.
Avoid negative body language
If you disagree with or dislike what’s being said, you may use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree, or even like what’s being said, but try to communicate effectively without making the other person defensive, and wait until they have finished delivering their message before you respond either with non-verbal or verbal communication. It’s important to avoid sending negative signals when communicating with both staff and students.
3a. Working in a group of 2 or 3, set up a situation where one person is using non-verbal communication effectively to demonstrate active listening whilst another speaks to them. The third person or the teacher should take a photo/video of the situation and then the partners should look at it together. Consider and discuss what the non-verbal language was communicating. If there was some body language that was not communicating active listening, try again. Delete the photos/videos when you have completed the activity.
3b. Complete the Knowledge Assessment, Part 1 Q2 (Semester 1 and 2 students - Sem 2 students will be given this question).