Non-verbal Communication in the Workplace
Materials
Main Aims
-
To develop students' understanding of nonverbal communication in workplace settings, specifically focusing on Canadian cultural norms and expectations.
Subsidiary Aims
-
To provide students with an opportunity to practice productive language skills, including describing, discussing, and comparing nonverbal communication cues.
Procedure (63-82 minutes)
1) Brief Group Discussion (Slide 1): Use guiding questions to activate Ss' prior knowledge. Questions: # What do you think is happening in this picture? # How do you think each person in this image is feeling? # What clues do you notice in the picture that might show how people are interacting? 2) Vocabulary Elicitation (Slide 2): Elicit key terms related to the topic, such as: facial expressions, body language, workplace, colleague, eye contact. 3) Pair Activity: Pair Ss and ask them to discuss the following question: # What types of body language or facial expressions are common in your home country?
1) Presentation (Slides 3 and 4): Introduce the topic "Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace" and discuss various elements of nonverbal communication, eliciting examples from students where possible. # Body Language: Movements and physical behaviors, such as hand gestures, that express emotions or reactions. # Facial Expressions: Emotions shown on the face, like smiles, frowns, or raised eyebrows, which convey feelings without words. # Gestures: Specific hand or arm movements used to emphasize words or express ideas. # Eye Contact: Looking directly at someone, which can indicate interest, confidence, or attention. # Posture: How we sit or stand, revealing openness, confidence, or comfort level. # Tone of Voice: The way words are spoken, including pitch, volume, and speed, which convey mood or emphasize a message. # Personal Space: The physical distance we maintain from others. # Clothing: Can communicate personality, professionalism, cultural background, or mood.
1) Guided Practice (Slide 5): Display the discussion questions related to nonverbal communication in the Canadian workplace vs their home country. 2) Pair or group students and ask them to discuss all questions. 3) Observe Ss' discussions, offering help or clarifying any misunderstandings. 4) Provide feedback and encourage students to share their reflections with the class.
1) Video Analysis and Class Discussion (Slides 6 and 7): Explain that the video shows two different workplace scenarios showcasing nonverbal communication and encourage students to observe closely, noting specific nonverbal cues like facial expressions, gestures, and posture. 2) Play the video clip once without interruption to allow students a full viewing experience. (Replay the clip if necessary for clarity or to emphasize key moments.) 3) Pair Ss and ask them to share their observations and interpretations of the nonverbal cues in each scenario, using the questions in Slide 6: # What differences do you see between the two scenarios? # What message does the posture convey in these interactions? # How might this gesture affect the conversation positively or negatively? 4) Monitor and guide students in comparing the scenarios. 5) Provide feedback and summarize key insights from the discussion
1) Error Correction: Address common language errors or misunderstandings observed during the previous stages. 2) Clarify Key Concepts: restate essential points on nonverbal communication, ensuring that students feel confident about applying these concepts in a workplace setting in Canada.