TESOL Unit 1: Language Characteristics

Competent Nonverbal Communication

Given the complexity of nonverbal communication, how does a person use it effectively? This lesson provides important principles for increasing communication competence.

Objectives

Identify and analyze effective use of nonverbal skills and strategies.

Competent nonverbal communication involves interacting with others in a manner that is appropriate for the situation, the individual, and the task. The key to communicating competently is choosing appropriate behavior. Choosing appropriate behavior involves knowledge, observation, and perception. Gaining knowledge about which nonverbal behaviors are appropriate in various social and professional situations will help us become more competent communicators. Increasing knowledge of appropriate nonverbal behavior comes by observation. Books on effective nonverbal behavior can help, but our best information source is the interaction we have with friends and family. Within this study, we can offer some general guidelines. The interpretation of specific nonverbal behavior can vary from individual to individual. For instance, we might tell you through the text that touching people communicates positive emotions. However, if you don't notice an individual's reactions to touch, you might not realize that he doesn't like to be touched. If touch has negative connotations for that individual, your interaction with him might be more effective if you refrain from touching. Observing others' nonverbal behavior is especially important to communicating competently in a professional setting. Watching the way a manager interacts with subordinates can help employees develop strategies for effective communication. For instance, most managers favor confident employees who treat them with respect. Giving a manager a firm handshake, making direct eye contact, and interacting with him or her in the social zone will convey confidence, integrity, and respect. Interpreting the nonverbal behavior of others in order to respond to them appropriately can be difficult. Therefore, special attention must be paid to context and individual behavioral patterns. When, where, who, and what all lend insight to the meaning of nonverbal behavior.

For example, suppose you are giving a product presentation to the marketing department of the small publishing company where you work. In the middle of your presentation, you notice that one of the new marketing interns is not paying attention to you. Instead, she is looking around the room, resting her head in her hands, and checking her watch frequently. You are not sure if, or how, you should respond. Do you pause your presentation and ask if she has any questions? Should you ask her to pay attention? To determine an appropriate response, you need to take into consideration the social context (your relationship to the person), the physical context (who and what the surroundings are), and how this person normally behaves. She might normally be very attentive, but perhaps she is simply tired or overwhelmed as a new employee. Observe her behavior and, if necessary, use your skills as a verbal communicator to seek clarification from her about her nonverbal communication. Choosing nonverbal behavior that is appropriate for the situation, the individuals involved, and the task at hand will help you to become a more competent communicator. Gaining knowledge of appropriate behavior by observing others and self-monitoring will help you to utilize effective nonverbal strategies.

Let's Review!
A key to competent communication is choosing an appropriate behavior for each situation. Here, you learned that this behavior involves knowledge, observation, and perception.

Project: Observing Nonverbal Communication

In this lesson, you will observe nonverbal communication, classify its type, and evaluate its effectiveness.

Objectives

Identify and analyze effective use of nonverbal skills and strategies.

Instructions
Choose one of the following activities and record your observations in the space provided. 1. Watch a television drama or comedy and write down all of the instances of nonverbal communication that you see. After watching the program, list each instance, classify it based on the list of types below, and place a plus sign (+) next

to any example that contributed to the message and a minus sign (-) next to any that detracted from the message. 2. Go to a park or shopping mall and sit in one spot where you can view different groups of people. Observe moods, body stance, hand gestures, eye movement, and voice pitch. Notice the different types of nonverbal communication exhibited by people of different ages (e.g., between two teenagers, two children, a teenager and a parent, a child and a parent, two adults). Note any nonverbal communication that suggests that people may be making decisions or resolving conflicts. Observe carefully and take good notes. For both activities, refer to the list of the eight types of nonverbal communication as needed.

body movements facial expressions and eye movements self-presentation distance touch time voice

Question #1Essay