Name_____________________________________________Grade___________Section_____________

Subject &
Oral Communication Quarter 1 Week 6 Day
Grade/Level dd/mm/yyyy
Topic NON- VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Learning 1.1 Demonstrate sensitivity to the socio- cultural dimension EN11/12O
Code
Competencies of communication situation. C-Ia-7
1. learn about the characteristics and functions of non-verbal communication; and
Learning
2. use non-verbal communication.
Objectives

Scope Out:
This part formally presents the topics in the lesson. Various learning aids are provided to ascertain your
understanding of the topics.
Try It:
This part lets you practice and ensures that you have fully understood the topic before you can proceed to the
next topic.
Enrich With:
These activities enhance your thinking skills toward independent and lifelong learning and provide opportunities
for you to experience the significance of what you have learned in the lesson.
Measure Up:
This part contains objective tests and authentic assessments provided with rubrics. These gauge how well you
have understood the lesson and how you can transfer what you have learned to new situations.

SCOPE OUT!

Hi! I’m your teacher. I will be your facilitator and guide in this module. Before
you start answering the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will
disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to
successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

Before we begin, take note of the following:

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this
module.
2. Write on your notebook or any writing pad the concepts about the lessons.
Writing enhances learning that is important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers.
LESSON 6: 5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!
 NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
EXPECTATIONS
As your facilitator, I expect that you, as a learner, will understand the nature,
elements and process of oral communication in context.
Specifically, this module will help you to
a. learn about the characteristics and functions of non verbal communication; and
b. use non-verbal communication

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

In communication, we send messages not only through words but also through non-verbal cues. These
include body gestures, facial expressions and vocal variety.

Below are examples of vocal and non-verbal manifestations of verbal and non-verbal communication.
Type Vocal Non-verbal
Verbal Communication Spoken words Written words
 Sighs, screams, laughs,  Bodily motions
fillers, vocal qualities and  Facial expressions, eye
Non-verbal Communication features (tone, loudness, contact, gestures,
pitch, speed, and postures
pacing)  Touch
 Use of space and time
 Personal appearance

I. Characteristics of Non-verbal Communication

A. Non- verbal cues show interaction among people.

Even if a person does not understand the language spoken around him/her, He/she can still
interact and communicate what he/she wants to convey. For instance, hailing a taxicab by
raising a hand or acknowledging a person simply by nodding and smiling are ways of
interacting.

B. Non- verbal cues suggest how people feel.

When you bored listening to a lecture, you do not have to say out loud that you are bored.
Rather, your slumped posture, breaking of eye contact, and glazed eyes can already show you
feel.

C. Non- verbal cues provide clues, not facts.

It is impossible to interpret non-verbal messages accurately. Real meanings still need to

verify. For example, you notice that your friend pays less attention to you. While you can come
up with various assumptions for this behavior, you will not be able to understand him/her unless
you talk about it, because his/her actions are simply clues to what he/she is thinking.

II. Functions of Non-verbal Communication

 A. Complementing. Non-verbal behavior complements the verbal message to express
meaning. For example, a fan’s wide smile or pumped fist complements his/her
announcement that his/her favorite basketball team wins a game.
B. Contradicting. Non- verbal communication is sometimes used to oppose the meaning
of the verbal message. For example, a woman yawns while telling her date, “Your story
is so interesting!”
C. Accenting. Non- verbal cues can help emphasize oral messages. For instance, a public
speaker may raise his/her hands, or point finger, or bang the table to stress an important
point.
D. Substituting. Non-verbal communication is also used to express something without
saying anything verbally. For instance, when asked about the outcome of a job interview,
a person can smile widely to signify that it went well.
E. Regulating. Non-verbal cues can also be used to control the flow of verbal
communication. One example is the intonation pattern of the speaker. Notice the
difference between the verbal intonation pattern of a speaker who wants to continue
talking and a speaker who wants to end the conversation.
F. Repeating. Repeated non-verbal cues have specified meanings. An example is when
one waves repeatedly to greet someone hello or waves slowly to say goodbye.
Repeated nodding expresses agreement to a point while repeated shaking of head
shows disagreement.

III. Types of Non-verbal Symbols

Non-verbal cues can be classified into six groups.

A. Kinesics (Bodily Motions)

Kinesics is the study of body language as a form of non-verbal communication. Body

language includes eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and posture.

1. Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact signifies that you pay attention to the conversation. People
generally maintain eye contact when they are in discussion groups, when they are
interested in others’ comments and reactions, or when they try to influence them.

2. Facial Expression

You can always choose which expression you can show or hide. For example, people
keep a poker face, or a neutral facial expression, to hide how they feel or save
themselves from embarrassment.

3. Gestures

Gestures refer to any purposive movement of fingers, arms, hands, head, or shoulders
to emphasize or suggest something. For example, a priest may raise his hands during
homily to refer to God or to emphasize a point.

4. Posture

Your posture also conveys a message to your listener. For example, standing or sitting
in an erect but relaxed posture indicates self- confidence or friendliness. In the same
vein, changes in posture also convey messages. For example, when having a
conversation with someone and you suddenly sit upright and lean forward, your posture
is interpreted to mean that you are listening and interested.

B. Paralanguage – refers to the non- verbal sounds accompanying oral language. These
elements can help shape the meaning of the message or completely change it. For instance,
your vocal characteristics can easily emphasize or contradict the literal meanings of words.
The following are some non- verbal sounds used in communication.

1. Tone (Vocal Quality). Tone is distinct sound of one’s voice. Most of the time, you know
someone is complaining because of his/her whiny and nasal tone, or is angry because of
the harsh and strident tone.
2. Speed. Speed refers to the rate of speech or how fast you are talking. Increased speed
may mean that the speaker is tensed. Slow speech may mean sadness or caution in
stressing point.
3. Pitch. Pitch refers to the highness and lowness of voice. Raising or lowering the pitch
may signify the speaker’s emotions. Most of the time, high-pitched voice may mean
excitement, while a low pitch may mean indifference.
4. Volume. Volume refers to the loudness of softness of voice. A loud voice often signifies
need to stress a point while a soft voice may mean that the information is confidential.

To illustrate how meaning can change through the influence of paralanguage elements, try
saying, “This is so beautiful. I love it so much” happily, angrily, fearfully, and sarcastically
and note how the characteristics of your voice changes according to how you utter the line.

C. Haptics (Use of Touch)

Haptics is the study of how touch is used to deliver a message. People differ in the way
they perceive and use touch. Culture defines the meaning of human touch; it varies
according to the age, sex, and status of the people interacting.

D. Proxemics (Use of Space)

Proxemics refers to the way people use space to convey meaning. This includes
permanent structures, movable objects within space, and informal space (Verderber, 1999)

1. Permanent Structure. Refer to immovable places in which we live or work in. For
example, a person who wishes to express his/her need for solitude shall choose to
live near forest or on a thinly populated area.
2. Movable Objects. The types of objects and their arrangement in a room depend on
the intended message. For instance, a person who wants to express his/her
religious beliefs may place an altar in his/her home.
3. Informal Space. It is a person’s invisible comfort zone, an intimate space around
him/her at any given time. Coming close to a person’s informal space may indicate
closeness and comfort, while standing a good distance away from someone
indicates detachment.

E. Personal Appearance

A person’s appearance depends on his/her age, gender, race, educational attainment,

and profession. The way you dress and groom also communicates your social and cultural roles
and personal qualities.

1. Clothes. The type of occasion or context often suggests what person should wear, but
even when the dress code is restricted, a person’s personality is still evident. A person’s
clothing choice and grooming can also differentiate him/her from or associate him/her
with other groups. For example, a woman who wears a hijab can be identified as a
Muslim.
2. Hairstyles. Your hairstyle also gives off a message. A girl with short hair could be seen
as simple and unfussy while a person with hair dyed a striking color such as pink or blue
could be seen as unique and bold.
3. Accessories. Accessories such as piercings, jewelry, and the like tell something about
status. Some people who wear expensive or elaborate jewelry are perceived to be of
high social status.
4. Tattoos. Some cultures are use tattoos as a way of distinguishing ranks and
showcasing their culture heritage. For example, the Arioi in Tahiti, a group of
entertainers, use tattoos to show the rank of their members.

How’s your learning?

Don’t give up, you’re almost done!