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LEARNERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION OF ESL TEACHERS
Corresponding Author(s) : Tahira Asgher
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021): May
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research is to investigate the perceptions of the learners about the use of the non-verbal language of teachers in an ESL class. This study aims to highlight the role played by non-verbal language in the class by raising awareness about the importance of gestures, physical appearance, and paralinguistic features of the English teachers.
Methodology: This research employs a mixed methodology. A questionnaire, consisting of 37 close-ended questions is used to record the views of the learners about the use of the non-verbal language of their English teachers. Moreover, qualitative interviews are conducted to find out the learners’ opinion and their awareness concerning the use of non-verbal language by their English teachers.
Main Findings: The findings indicate that learners hold a positive attitude towards the teachers who use NVL more frequently. Respondents say that they feel more motivated and interested in the class when the teacher looks at us more frequently and move in the class. According to Neuro-linguists, learning of the language can be enhanced by a drastic level if the teacher can grasp the visual attention of the students while oral communication. Therefore, it is to conclude that learners consider the non-verbal language along with paralinguistic features, extremely constructive in the ESL classroom. They find it encouraging and it aids them in comprehending the content.
Application of this Study: The current research will help the practicing language teachers to upgrade their oral communication skills by incorporating the nonverbal cues productively in their classrooms. Furthermore, teacher trainers can make their trainees aware of the importance of the nonverbal part of communication in the ESL classroom either informal lectures or pragmatic preparation.
Novelty/ Originality of this study: This study is unique in the sense that it focuses on the role played by the Non-verbal language particularly in the class where English is taught as a second language. It unveils how the integration of nonverbal language along with oral communication can make English language classroom more industrious and productive.
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- Andersen, P. A. (1998). Nonverbal Communication: Forms and Functions. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.
- Azaoui, B. (2013, June). One Teacher, Two Instructional Contexts. Same Teaching Gestures? Tilburg gesture research meeting, Netherlands.
- Barabar A, Aysenil & Caganaga, Kivanc, Cagda. 2015. "Using Nonverbal- Communication in EFL Classes." Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences Vol.10: pp. 136-147.
- Bunglowala, A., & Bunglowala, A. (2015). Non-verbal communication: An integral part of the teaching-learning process. International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, 1.
- Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.43 24/9781315663425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315663425
- Butt N. 2011. Impact of Non-Verbal Communication on Students' Learning Outcomes. Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences & Education. Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar – Pakistan: D.Phil.
- Calero, H., Henry. 2005. The Power of Nonverbal Communication: How You Act Is More Important Than What You Say. Los Angeles: Silver Lake Publishing
- Chaudhry, A., & Arif, M. (2012). Teachers’ Nonverbal Behavior and Its Impact on Student Achievement. International Education Studies, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v5n4p56 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v5n4p56
- Dockrell, J. E., Bakopoulou, I., Law, J., Spencer, S., & Lindsay, G. (2012). Developing a communication supporting classroom observation tool. London: DfE.
- Duke, R., Charles. (1974). Nonverbal Behavior and the Communication Process." College Composition and Communication, 25, 397-404. https://doi.org/10.2307/356963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/356963
- Eaves, M. H., & Leathers, D. (2017). Successful Nonverbal Communication: Principles and Applications (5th Edition). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315542317 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315542317
- Elfatihi, M. (2005). The Role of Non-Verbal Communication in Beginners’ EFL Classrooms. Dhar Elmahraz.
- Eunson, B., (2012). Non-Verbal Communication. In book: C21: Communicating in the 21st Century, Edition: 3, Chapter: NVC: John Wiley & Sons.
- Galloway, C. & Charles, M. (1968). Nonverbal Communication. Theory into Practice, 7, 172-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405846809542151 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405846809542151
- Givens, B., David. (2002). The Nonverbal Dictionary of Gestures, Signs & Body Language Cues. Washington: Center for Nonverbal Studies Press.
- Haneef, M., Faisal, M. A., Alvi, A. K., & Zulfiqar, M. (2014). The role of non-verbal communication in teaching practice. Science International, vol. 26, no. 1, 2014. Gale Academic One File, Accessed 10 May 2021.
- Khabaz, Z. The effect of nonverbal language on teaching [Internet]; Tehran: Hamshahri Newspaper; 2013 [cited 2013 April 12] Available from: http://hamshahrionline.ir/
- Knapp, L., Mark. (1971). The Role of Nonverbal Communication in the Classroom. Theory into Practice, 10, 243-249. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405847109542337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405847109542337
- Kesevan, H. V., Madzlan, N. A., & Hashim, H. (2020). Social Signalling as a Non Verbal Behaviour of Teachers in ESL Classroom Interaction. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(11), 5576-5580. https://doi.org/10.131 89/ujer.2020.081161 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.081161
- Malik, A. (2021). Nonverbal language: teachers' use and students' perception. Jurnal Penelitian, Pendidikan, dan Pembelajaran, 16(6).
- Mandal, F. B. (2014). Nonverbal Communication in Humans. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 24(4), 417–421. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2013.831288 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2013.831288
- Martens, M., Duvivier, R. J., & Dalen, J. V. (2009). Student views on the effective teaching of physical examination skills: a qualitative study. Medical Education, 43(2), 184–191. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03283.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03283.x
- Mehrabian, A. (2008). Silent messages. Training Journal. Published.
- Najafi, T., Rahmanzade, A. The relationship between communication skills and educational effectiveness of teachers of girls in Valiasr Technical College in Tehran. Journal of media studies. 2013;8(4): 193–206. Persian.
- O’ Connor, A., & Shumate, M. (2018). A Multidimensional Network Approach to Strategic Communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 399–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118 X.2018.1452242 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2018.1452242
- Hong-li, P. (2011). Effects of Non-verbal Communication on College English Classroom Teaching. US-China Foreign Language, 9, 505-516.
- Pennycook, A. (1985). Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Paralanguage, Communication, and Education. TESOL Quarterly,19, 259-282. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586829 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3586829
- Postman, N. (2006). Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse on the Age of Show Business. London: Penguin Books.
- Smith, A., Howard. (1979). Nonverbal Communication in Teaching. Review of Educational Research, 49, 631-672. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543049004631 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543049004631
- Vrij, A., Hartwig, M., & Granhag, P. A. (2019). Reading Lies: Nonverbal Communication and Deception. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 295–317. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103135
- Woolfolk, E., Anita & Brooks, M., Douglas. (1985). The Influence of Teachers' Nonverbal Behaviors on Students' Perceptions and Performance. The Elementary School Journal, 85, 513-528. https://doi.org/10.1086/461418 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/461418
- Zand, S., Baradaran, M. Najafi, R., Maleki, A., & Mahdipour, A. (2020). Culture and Gender in Nonverbal Communication. 8, 123-130.
References
Andersen, P. A. (1998). Nonverbal Communication: Forms and Functions. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.
Azaoui, B. (2013, June). One Teacher, Two Instructional Contexts. Same Teaching Gestures? Tilburg gesture research meeting, Netherlands.
Barabar A, Aysenil & Caganaga, Kivanc, Cagda. 2015. "Using Nonverbal- Communication in EFL Classes." Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences Vol.10: pp. 136-147.
Bunglowala, A., & Bunglowala, A. (2015). Non-verbal communication: An integral part of the teaching-learning process. International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, 1.
Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.43 24/9781315663425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315663425
Butt N. 2011. Impact of Non-Verbal Communication on Students' Learning Outcomes. Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences & Education. Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar – Pakistan: D.Phil.
Calero, H., Henry. 2005. The Power of Nonverbal Communication: How You Act Is More Important Than What You Say. Los Angeles: Silver Lake Publishing
Chaudhry, A., & Arif, M. (2012). Teachers’ Nonverbal Behavior and Its Impact on Student Achievement. International Education Studies, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v5n4p56 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v5n4p56
Dockrell, J. E., Bakopoulou, I., Law, J., Spencer, S., & Lindsay, G. (2012). Developing a communication supporting classroom observation tool. London: DfE.
Duke, R., Charles. (1974). Nonverbal Behavior and the Communication Process." College Composition and Communication, 25, 397-404. https://doi.org/10.2307/356963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/356963
Eaves, M. H., & Leathers, D. (2017). Successful Nonverbal Communication: Principles and Applications (5th Edition). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315542317 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315542317
Elfatihi, M. (2005). The Role of Non-Verbal Communication in Beginners’ EFL Classrooms. Dhar Elmahraz.
Eunson, B., (2012). Non-Verbal Communication. In book: C21: Communicating in the 21st Century, Edition: 3, Chapter: NVC: John Wiley & Sons.
Galloway, C. & Charles, M. (1968). Nonverbal Communication. Theory into Practice, 7, 172-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405846809542151 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405846809542151
Givens, B., David. (2002). The Nonverbal Dictionary of Gestures, Signs & Body Language Cues. Washington: Center for Nonverbal Studies Press.
Haneef, M., Faisal, M. A., Alvi, A. K., & Zulfiqar, M. (2014). The role of non-verbal communication in teaching practice. Science International, vol. 26, no. 1, 2014. Gale Academic One File, Accessed 10 May 2021.
Khabaz, Z. The effect of nonverbal language on teaching [Internet]; Tehran: Hamshahri Newspaper; 2013 [cited 2013 April 12] Available from: http://hamshahrionline.ir/
Knapp, L., Mark. (1971). The Role of Nonverbal Communication in the Classroom. Theory into Practice, 10, 243-249. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405847109542337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405847109542337
Kesevan, H. V., Madzlan, N. A., & Hashim, H. (2020). Social Signalling as a Non Verbal Behaviour of Teachers in ESL Classroom Interaction. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(11), 5576-5580. https://doi.org/10.131 89/ujer.2020.081161 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.081161
Malik, A. (2021). Nonverbal language: teachers' use and students' perception. Jurnal Penelitian, Pendidikan, dan Pembelajaran, 16(6).
Mandal, F. B. (2014). Nonverbal Communication in Humans. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 24(4), 417–421. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2013.831288 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2013.831288
Martens, M., Duvivier, R. J., & Dalen, J. V. (2009). Student views on the effective teaching of physical examination skills: a qualitative study. Medical Education, 43(2), 184–191. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03283.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03283.x
Mehrabian, A. (2008). Silent messages. Training Journal. Published.
Najafi, T., Rahmanzade, A. The relationship between communication skills and educational effectiveness of teachers of girls in Valiasr Technical College in Tehran. Journal of media studies. 2013;8(4): 193–206. Persian.
O’ Connor, A., & Shumate, M. (2018). A Multidimensional Network Approach to Strategic Communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 399–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118 X.2018.1452242 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2018.1452242
Hong-li, P. (2011). Effects of Non-verbal Communication on College English Classroom Teaching. US-China Foreign Language, 9, 505-516.
Pennycook, A. (1985). Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Paralanguage, Communication, and Education. TESOL Quarterly,19, 259-282. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586829 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3586829
Postman, N. (2006). Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse on the Age of Show Business. London: Penguin Books.
Smith, A., Howard. (1979). Nonverbal Communication in Teaching. Review of Educational Research, 49, 631-672. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543049004631 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543049004631
Vrij, A., Hartwig, M., & Granhag, P. A. (2019). Reading Lies: Nonverbal Communication and Deception. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 295–317. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103135
Woolfolk, E., Anita & Brooks, M., Douglas. (1985). The Influence of Teachers' Nonverbal Behaviors on Students' Perceptions and Performance. The Elementary School Journal, 85, 513-528. https://doi.org/10.1086/461418 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/461418
Zand, S., Baradaran, M. Najafi, R., Maleki, A., & Mahdipour, A. (2020). Culture and Gender in Nonverbal Communication. 8, 123-130.