Spoken English Upper-Intermediate

Module 2

Body language

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

 distinguish between good and bad body language used while speaking
 use good body language behaviours while delivering a presentation

Introduction
Do you know you’re communicating even when you’re not speaking? And how much of it is under
your control? Well, thankfully most of it is. You’re about to embark on a journey to a land where the
body does the talking. Make sure you learn the secrets of this land and share them with your
comrades.
Are you ready to listen with your eyes?
Tasks
To arrive at the destination you have to successfully complete the following tasks:

Task 1:
a. Think and reflect on what you already know about Body Language.

Task 2:
a. Listen to a Body Language expert and answer the given questions.

Task 3:
Watch a presentation and assess the speaker’s body language.

Task 4:
a. Write down the secrets to mastering this language.
b. Record yourself delivering a two – minute speech on the importance of good body language.
Share the secrets you’ve gathered on this journey by applying them and sharing the video on
Edmodo!

Let’s begin!

Task 1 (10 min)

A. How good are you at reading other people’s body language? Can you observe
someone’s body language and say whether they’re confident or nervous? Give
an example.
I can somewhat read people’s body language. If the person is not confident the
persons starts to talk looking at the floor or ceiling and not making an eye
contact.

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 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

B. Read the following descriptions of body language and tick those you think convey
confidence.

Nonverbal cue 
A firm handshake 

Eye contact 

A closed bodily posture

Open gestures
smile 

An open bodily posture

Foot tapping
Grin
Biting nails

C. Do you think non-verbal communication can be more powerful than verbal communication?
If yes, why? If not, why not?
Yes, non-verbal communication is more powerful because the person speaking to you can say
something and mean something completely different. The body language along with the facial
expression add more meaning to what the person is trying to communicate.

Task 2 (15 min)

Watch Lou from Toast Masters International giving some advice on non – verbal communication.
Write down what he says on the following:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ywrgCA-1I
1. Nervous mannerisms
Adjusting your glasses, fidgeting with accessories, tugging at your clothes, shifting your
weight.
2. Inconsistent body language
Gestures that do not coordinate with the speakers message
3. Planning and practice
Rehearsal of your gestures and body language several time before your performance to
avoid nervousness

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 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

4. Descriptive gestures
Hand gestures that help in describing the size, shape and location of an object. E.g. cradle
your hand to describe the size of the baby bird.

5. Emphatic gestures
Hand gestures that help in expressing your emotions like anger or determination through
clenched fist.

6. Suggestive gestures
Gestures that convey ideas and emotions like shrugging your shoulder.

7. Prompting gestures
Gestures used to make the audience participate like you putting your hand up and asking
the audience to do the same.

8. Culturally sensitive gestures

Gestures to be avoided like the gesture that are offensive in their culture.

9. Coordinating gestures, eye contact and walking

To coordinate gestures, eye contact and walking practice is mandatory to obtain them in
your day to day activity.

Task 3 (15 min)

Watch the presentation by the World Champion of Public Speaking 2014, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi
and answer the following questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbz2boNSeL0
Did you like the talk? Why or why not? What are some of good body language behaviours the
speaker displays?
Yes I liked the talk by Mr.Dananjaya Hettiarachchi? The talk gives you motivation to never lose
yourself at any point of your life and to get back on your feet with all the support you get.
Some of the good body language behaviours that the speaker displayed are constant eye contact,
hand gestures to support his speech and walking in coordination with gestures and eye contact.
The speaker almost enacted the scenes supporting this speech.

Task 4 (20 min)

Step 1:

Prepare a two - minute speech on Body Language. You can include what you have learnt in this
lesson and also use the following links to gather more information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3jSXYBNakJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5EnOoI-ePc
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 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmyn1PRroyc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARtWFviykRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxJ9pnnn7o

Step 2:

Plan appropriate gestures, facial expressions, posture and overall body language for your speech
and rehearse it in front of a mirror.

Step 3:

Record yourself and assess your body language. Post the video on Edmodo. Watch the videos of
your classmates and give feedback on their presentation. You can mention good body language
behaviours that they have displayed.

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