Body Language

Body Language

Make a list of different ways in which people communicate with each other face-to-face.

Example: words,

Discuss these questions in pairs.

1. What is body language?
2. What do we usually express by body language?
3. What are some ways of communicating through body language?
4. What does ‘crossing your arms’ normally mean?
5. Do we usually control our body language?
6. What is person’s body language when they’re upset?
7. Why is it important to be aware of our body language?

Learn

Vocabulary

Practise

1. When do you use the body language in the worksheet? 2. Do these gestures mean the same in different cultures? Give examples. 3. How important is body language in your job? What body language do you use to make your client/colleague feel more comfortable? 4. What do you think is more important in business - what you say or how you say it?

DRAG THE ADJECTIVES TO THE LEFT/RIGHT

supportive

bored

rude

attentive

open-minded

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE

suspicious

aggressive

decisive

interested

distracted

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

Link the opposites

rude

open-minded

suspicious

attentive

narrow-minded

polite

aggressive

interested

distracted

friendly

bored

trustful

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

Practice

TASK 1: You will watch a video with two examples of a receptionist-guest communication. While you watch, make notes on the following:

• their posture (standing, sitting, ...)
• gestures (hands, legs, …)
• facial expressions (eye contact, lips, ...)
• way of speaking (fast, slow, loud, quiet, …)

TASK 2: Now discuss the questions, using body language vocabulary and suitable adjectives.

• What messages do the women communicate through their body language?
• How does the guest feel in each situation?

Example: The receptionist is avoiding eye contact with the guest. She is uninterested in the guest.The guest must feel ignored.

Homework

Observe the body language of three people (colleagues, clients) and answer these questions for each person:1. What body language did the person use? (e.g. He nodded his head.) 2. How did that make you feel? (e.g. I felt confident because he looked interested.) 3. What message did the person try to communicate? (e.g. ‘I’m listening to what you’re saying and it’s interesting.’) 4. Do you think your body language affected the person? If so, how?