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Cycle 1 Discuss communication, including such topics as emoticons, body language, gestures, and international signs
Cycle 2 Talk about signs using terms of permission, obligation, and prohibition
Level A2 to B1 L2U14
While words carry essential meaning, studies suggest that a whopping 65% to 93% of communication effectiveness relies on nonverbal cues. This highlights the power of body language. It can contradict or amplify our spoken words, revealing our true emotions and intentions. By understanding and utilizing body language effectively, we can bridge the gap between what we say and what we truly mean.
Cycle 1 Discuss communication, including such topics as emoticons, body language, gestures, and international signs
01 SNAPSHOT 💭 Popular Emoticons
02 WORD POWER 😏Feelings and gestures
03 CONVERSATION 🔊 Have you met Raj?
04 GRAMMAR FOCUS 👌Modals and adverbs
05 SPEAKING 💃What does it mean?
06 PRONUNCIATION 🔊 Pitch
07 ACTIVITY 🏃What's going on?
Workbook 📓Part 1
Cycle 2 Talk about signs using terms of permission, obligation, and prohibition
08 PERSPECTIVES 🔊 Signs
09 GRAMMAR FOCUS 🚫Permission, obligation, and prohibition
10 DISCUSSION 🚳Rules and regulations
11 LISTENING 🔊Sign language
12 WRITING 📝A list of rules
13 READING 📖 Pearls of Wisdom
Workbook 📓Part 2
Video ACTIVITIES 14
SPEAKING
Interpreting body language;
explaining gestures and meanings; describing acceptable and prohibited
behavior in different situations;
asking about signs and their meaning
GRAMMAR
Modals and adverbs: might, may, could, must, maybe, perhaps, probably, definitely; permission, obligation, and prohibition
PRONUNCIATION
Pitch
LISTENING
Listening to people talk about the meaning of signs
WRITING
Writing a blog post asking for advice
Writing a list of rules
READING
“TOPTIPS.COM”: Reading an online advice forum
“Understanding Idioms”: Reading about idioms and their meaning
ACTIVITY
Interpreting body language
Discuss the meaning of gestures and body language
Explain gestures using modals and adverbs
What emoticons /əˈmōdəˌkän/ can you use to communicate these ideas?
I'm happy.
I'm sad.
I'm angry.
Just kidding!
That's funny.
That was scary!
I can't talk about it.
Really? That can't be right!
I'm surprised!
I'm sleepy.
That was delicious!
I have a terrible cold.
I don't know what to say!
I'm so bored.
😍
😳
😜
😂
WORD POWER Feelings and gestures
Learning objective: active learn vocabulary for describing feelings and gestures
Practice VOCABULARY Worksheet 😱Feelings and gestures
Vocabulary 👨Body Gestures
Ever feel like someone isn't telling the whole story with their words? Body language might offer clues.
Beyond words, how do we communicate? Explore the world of body language.
Curious how much you convey without saying a word? Body language plays a big role. Let's dive in!
3 CONVERSATION It’s pretty confusing.
A Listen and practice.
Eva: How was dinner with the new Bulgarian student last night? What’s her name – Elena?
Brian: Yeah, Elena. It was nice. We always have a good time, but I still don’t understand her very well. You see, when we offer her something to eat or drink, she nods her head up and down. But, at the same time she says no.
Eva: It might mean she wants to accept it, but she thinks it’s not polite. In some countries, you have to refuse any offer first. Then the host insists, and you accept it.
Brian: I don’t know... It’s pretty confusing.
Eva: It could mean she doesn’t want anything, but she thinks it’s rude to say no.
Brian: Actually, in some countries, when people move their heads up and down, it means “no.”
Eva: Really? Now I get it!
B Now listen to Elena talk to her friend. What does she find unusual about the way people in North America communicate?
ACTITIVITY What's going on?
Learning objective: speak more fluently about the events presented in a scene
Look at this scene of a crowded restaurant. What do you think is happening in each of the five situations? Look at people's body language for clues.
A: What do you think the woman in situation 1 looks upset?
B: Well, she might be having a fight with ...
A: What do you think the man's gesture in situation 2 means?
B: Maybe it means he ...
Match the body language with situations in the scene.
1. She has her arms folded.
2. He's holding his hands up.
3. She's scratching her head.
4. She's resting her chin on one hand.
5. He's biting his nails.
Workbook 📓Part 1
Cycle 2 Talk about signs using terms of permission, obligation, and prohibition
08 PERSPECTIVES 🔊 Signs
09 GRAMMAR FOCUS 🚫Permission, obligation, and prohibition
10 DISCUSSION 🚳Rules and regulations
11 LISTENING 🔊Sign language
12 WRITING 📝A list of rules
13 READING 📖 Pearls of Wisdom
Workbook 📓Part 2
Video ACTIVITIES 14
Discuss rules and recognize common signs
Cycle 1 Nonverbal communication
Cycle 2 Gestures and meaning; signs; drawing conclusions
Body language is all about the silent cues we send and receive through our physical behavior. It's a form of nonverbal communication that complements what we say with words. Some the key elements of body language include:
Facial Expressions - A raised eyebrow, a furrowed brow, a smile - our faces can convey a whole range of emotions without a single word spoken.
Gestures - Hand gestures can emphasize what we're saying, but they can also be nervous habits or signals of openness or deception.
Eye Gaze - Making eye contact shows interest and engagement, while avoiding eye contact can indicate shyness or dishonesty.
Posture - Slouching can signal boredom or disinterest, while an upright posture suggests confidence and attentiveness.
Personal Space - The distance we keep from others can communicate comfort level and friendliness.
It's important to remember that body language can be complex and vary depending on culture and context. A single gesture can have different meanings in different situations. The best way to understand body language is to consider all the nonverbal cues together, rather than focusing on one signal in isolation.
By being more aware of your own body language and that of others, you can become a more effective communicator and build stronger relationships.
Understanding Body Language
Idioms
Choose the correct definition for each idiom.
1 To pull someone’s leg
To play a joke on someone
To make someone fall over
2 To see eye to eye
To be the same height as someone else
To agree with someone
3 To be up to your eyes in work
To find work too difficult
To have too much work
4 To laugh your head off
To laugh a lot
To be embarrassed
5 To know a place like the back of your hand
To be lost
To know a place very well
ACTIVITY Body Language shapes who you are
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Does crossing your arms indicate that you're feeling defensive? Are shifty eyes the mark of a liar? There has been a significant amount of research on nonverbal communication and behavior, which has revealed a myriad of ways to communicate meaning without words. From the way we dress to the way we move, our nonverbal signals can reveal a great deal about our emotions, perceptions and intentions, although many of these behaviors are so subtle that we rarely notice them consciously.
According to experts, a substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Every day, we respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye gaze, gestures, and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal who we are and impact how we relate to other people.
Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication of Charles Darwin’s The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Since that time, there has been an abundance of research on the types, effects, and expression of unspoken communication and behavior. While these signals are often so subtle that we are not consciously aware of them, research has identified several different types of nonverbal communication.
1. Facial Expression
1. Facial Expression
Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout the world.
2. Gestures
2. Gestures
Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate number amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture.
3. Paralinguistics
3. Paralinguistics
Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest.
4. Body Language and Posture
4. Body Language and Posture
Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language has grown significantly since the 1970’s, but popular media have focused on the over-interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after the publication of Julius Fast’s book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive than previously believed.
5. Proxemics
5. Proxemics
People often refer to their need for “personal space,” which is also an important type of nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. For example, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet.
6. Eye Gaze
6. Eye Gaze
Looking, staring, and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviors. When people encounter people or things that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can indicate a range of emotions, including hostility, interest, and attraction.
7. Haptics
7. Haptics
Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry Harlow’s classic monkey study demonstrated how the deprivation of touch and contact impedes development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior and social interaction.
8. Appearance
8. Appearance
Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles, and other factors affecting appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has demonstrated that different colors can invoke different moods. Appearance can also alter physiological reactions, judgment, and interpretations.
Video Activities
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