BODY LANGUAGE FOR TEACHERS

ERCILIA DELANCER ENGLISH LANGUAGE FELLOW BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN JUNE 12, 2013

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.

What is Body Language?

Body Language is the communication of personal feelings, emotions , attitudes, thoughts through body movements -gestures, postures , facial expressions, walking styles, positions & distance

IT IS DONE UNCONSCIOUSLY
Either consciously or involuntarily i.e. its not only your tongue you communicate with but also you speak with your body movements & gestures.

Non-verbal Communication/Body Language

The Main Aspects of Body Language

Gestures: A gesture is the verbal or non-verbal body movement used to express or emphasize an idea , an emotion or a state of mind. Body Movements: This includes the head, eyes, eyebrows , lips , neck , shoulders, fingers and so on. One can distinguish four main kinds of gesticulation: Emblem, illustrators, regular and self-touching.

WATCH MY BODY SPEAK!

Did you know that communication is actually only 10% verbal? The majority of what we communicate can be found in the tone of our voice (30%) and our actions (60%). Your prospect's behavior provides clues as to how they're feeling, which in turn tells you how to deal with it. But body language goes both ways. You must be aware of your own behavior too so as to get the best possible reaction from your audience.

Communication in Perspective
Body language communicates 93% of your message!!!
0% Verbal

Communication
Voice Tone 7% Body Language

55%

38%

Body Language is Important

Meaning in Movement
Reject or Support Spoken Words Reflect mental or emotional condition

Cant be controlled as easily as words

What is Body Language Used For?

Direct Replacement of Words

Reinforcement of Words Mirror Inner Emotion & Attitudes

The Six Secrets of Attractive Body Language

Face: Have an animated face and make smiling a part of your regular repertoire. Make sure you flash your teeth. Gestures: Be expressive but dont overdo it. Keep your fingers closed when you gesture, your hands below chin level and avoid arm or feet crossing. Head Movement: Use triple nods when talking and head tilt when listening. Keep your chin up.

The Six Secrets of Attractive Body Language

Eye contact: Give the amount of eye contact that makes everyone feel comfortable. Unless looking at others is a cultural no-no, lookers gain more credibility than non-lookers. Postures: Lean forward when listening, stand straight when speaking. Territory: Stand as close as you feel comfortable. If the other person moves back dont step forward again. Mirror: Subtly mirror the body language of others.

READING BODY LANGUAGE IS A PEOPLE SKILLS

People skills are key in the classroom. How you communicate with the people around you, how you form relationships with them and how you motivate and influence them are vital to success in your career. These skills can only be fully realized if you have the ability to read and use body language in context.

VOICE PROJECTION
Voice projection is the strength of speaking or singing whereby the voice is used loudly and clearly. It is a technique which can be employed to demand respect and attention, such as when a teacher is talking to the class, or simply to be heard clearly, as an actor in a theatre.

The Three Key Components of a Powerful Sound are:

personality, passion, and strong vocal physique. The first two components are achieved by being yourself and by being clear about your intention. The third, through awareness and practice.

Strong Vocal Physique

Strong vocal physique is the ability to produce a vibrantly resonant sound and to have a good command of breathing technique.

Being Heard
You project your voice by allowing it to shine with your personality, and having confidence that you have something unique to say. You project your voice with passion for your message by setting a clear intention. And you project your voice by developing a resonant sound that is supported with your whole body through air and energy.

Standing
Standing you are dominating, having control over the audience. They have to look up at you Standing you have no protection either, but also no barrier Its good to give the impression of self confidence so weight equally on both legs, your body facing the class Look at the whole class (2-3 seconds at each of them) Keep an open attitude, palm open and directed towards the students

Key ideas
Use gestures to control the class Indicate that you noticed the people interested in asking questions and show them that you will respond Answer the questions but dont forget to involve the whole audience

Key ideas
Encourage questions by facing the person who asked Dont forget the 20/80 rule: For 20% of the answering time look at the person that asked, 80% of the time look at the audience to keep them interested

Simultaneous

questions
If people ask questions simultaneously, your non-verbal behavior can help you indicate the order of your answers, signifying that you noticed them and you will answer them soon

Find the Right Angles

Simply put, we angle ourselves to face people we like or we're attracted to, and angle away from people who repel us. Face your body towards your students while talking to them, tilting or leaning forward to bodily "listen" to what they say. Likewise, when a student leans towards you, it means they're interested in what you have to say.

WATCH YOUR PALMS

When your hands are palms-up, they convey friendliness and openness. Palms down convey dominance and maybe even aggressiveness. This usually comes to play when shaking hands for the first time. It's best to offer a level, upright handshake so as to show you're on equal footing.

Watch Those Legs

Twitchy, restless legs betray nerves and stress; try to keep them under control by planting both feet on the ground. As with crossing your arms, crossing your legs is a no-no. The "Figure 4" portrays you as arrogant, close-minded, or defensive. When your student does this himself, try to engage them in friendly, nonthreatening banter.

Bridging the Gap

As much as possible, sit beside your students. Having a desk between you only underscores the initial emotional distance between the two of you. Bridge it by sitting together and talking as equals. But pay attention to how comfortable they are with your distance. If you sense them pulling back from you, you may be intruding on their personal space and should back off.

Mind your Head

Keeping your head at a level, steady position is a sign of confidence and sends the signal that people should listen to you. On the other hand, tilting your head to the side is a sign that you are receptive and ready to listen.

The Eyes Have It

The single most important aspects of body language is, looking your students in the eyes. This conveys respect, confidence, trustworthiness, and sincerity. Likewise, not doing so conveys fear, disinterest, lack of confidence, shame, and secretiveness.

WATCH YOUR ARMS

Your arms can convey great emotion. Use grand gestures for high emotion, and keep your arms still for quiet, intense moments. Whatever you do, don't cross your arms. This highly defensive position conveys anger or indifference. It practically screams, "I don't care."

READ MY LIPS!

The Lips: When one does not utter a word, lips can be eloquent because silent lips express a wide range of emotions from smile to frown.

THE EYEBROWS
People lower or knit their eyebrows when they want to show disapproval or displeasure. They also frown when showing displeasure.

Body Language
Effective teachers use body language Being calm = strong and in control Eye contact can Physical proximity can prevent misbehavior. When students are off-task, simply standing next to them can direct them to work. Students read body language to determine whether teacher feels in charge, intimidated, tired, etc. Facial expressions communicate everything.

Hand Gestures

OK! Perfect!

Hand Gestures

V for Victory

Hand Gestures

Thats good!

Hand Gestures

Not accepted.

Hand Gestures

Thats enough! Youve been warned!

Hand Gestures

You!

Hand Gestures

Stop! Enough.

Hand Gestures

Do you get it?

Hand Gestures

Power to the People

Facial Expressions

So funny!

Facial Expressions

So shy.

Facial Expressions

Thats interesting.

Facial Expressions

Not sure if I believe you.

Silence, Please!

Dont shush your Students!

Present Like You Mean It !

Prepare and Practice But Be Willing To Let Learning Happen Share Your Passion And Recognize the Light Bulb When it Goes Off. Enjoy the Space that Good Presenting and Good Teaching Creates for You and Your Students.
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Confidence
An erect stance or sitting position Confidence is conveyed by plenty of eye contact Leaning back in a chair with hands clasped behind head Pyramiding i.e. the hands effect a pyramid shape but with only the tips of the fingers and thumbs touching Over emphasized gestures can convey arrogance

Willingness and Relaxed

Head is inclined to one side Body leans forward in chair Jacket or coat is unbuttoned Palms of hands are opened and upturned Sitting at right angles to or directly alongside other person (be careful not to invade body space) Remember this information during interviews

Readiness and Expectancy

Starts to move closer Speaks confidently Hands rests lightly on hips Sits on edge of chair Palms of hands rubbed on thighs Snaps fingers Rubs palms of hands together

Open-minded Attitude

An Open-minded Attitude is conveyed by the following body language: The person will sit forward in front of chair The head is raised Legs are uncrossed

Interest and Evaluation

The Head is raised Chin is stroked slowly Hand is raised to the cheek Pinches the bridge of nose The arm of spectacles placed in the mouth Acceptance The hand placed on the chest signifies loyalty, honesty and devotion

Dominance, Superiority and Aggression

Hands are clasped behind head The head is well back Legs are extended Ankles are crossed Holding the lapel of jacket Coat is buttoned Hands are placed in pockets with thumbs pointing outwards

Frustration
Rubs the back of the neck Fingers are run through hair Breaths are short Hands are clenched or wrung One index finger is pointed

Anxiety and Nervousness

The throat is cleared Fidgets in chair Tugs at earlobe Hands cover mouth when speaking Fiddles with tie, cufflinks, rings , etc

Boredom
Doodles on pad Drums fingers on table Taps feet Ballpoint pen continuously clicking Head rests in hands The eyes droop The blank stare the person is almost asleep with eyes open, illustrated by lack of blinking!

Defensiveness
Arms are tightly folded high on chest Ankles are locked The head is down on the chest Twiddles with earlobe or nose in a speaker these two gestures can signify exaggeration or even lies! Fists are clenched Coat is buttoned Hands grip the arm of a chair

Body Language Summary

Non-verbal behavior communicates far more powerfully than the spoken word The problem is that is difficult to read and control

Body language signals our innermost feelings which we may try to mask by what we say

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_projection