RISE



Module 3: Intercultural Communication – Non Verbal3.2.1 Body Language(Independent Level)ExplanationWhen a person is learning a new language a large amount of effort and time is spent learning to communicate verbally, i.e. with words. However, to communicate effectively in a new culture it is also important to focus on nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is the way you express yourself through movements, touch, body language, facial expression, eye contact, intonation, clothing and hairstyles. The use of nonverbal communication changes in each culture. It is important to have an understanding of the nonverbal communication used in the country you are living so as to avoid cultural misunderstandings. In this section we are going to concentrate on body language used in the UK. Body language refers to the way a person communicates with their body.Movements and positions of the body are used to express a person’s thoughts or feelings. Your body language also plays a significant part in forming how others think of you.Body language works two ways: -when you meet someone for the first time their body language influences your opinion of them and at the same time your body language influences their impression of you.Body language is, therefore, an important means of integrating into a new culture, performing well in a job interview and making a good impression in a workplace.In this module we are going to discuss and explore what the movements of your eyes, head, and hands can communicate, what body language to use or not use in a job interview and the practice of mirroring.EyesEye contact is the expected norm in the UK in all situations – including with authority figures and between members of the opposite sex. Direct eye contact suggests confidence, attentiveness and honesty.In many cultures it is a sign of respect to drop your eyes/look down; however, in the UK this is generally considered to be a sign of lack of confidence and does not make a positive impression.Other eye gestures:Ask the students what they think the following may mean before giving the explanation:Widening eyes – Widening your eyes is done in positive response to some news/information. It shows interest and appreciation for what has been said.Widening your eyes and raising your eyebrows generally means surprise/shock.Eye roll – Rolling your eyes is something done in response to frustration. In the UK it is usually done when others cannot see you (to avoid confrontation and so as not to be rude) or done in a jokey manner with a smile. Raising your eyebrows – Raising eyebrows is often done in western society as a casual form of greeting/acknowledgement of something said. If eyebrows are raised for a longer period it usually indicates surprise/shock/doubt.Head & FaceHead nodding – Nodding your head is a way of showing agreement with what another person is saying. It also demonstrates that you are listening and attentive. If you nod your head quickly, however, it will be understood as impatience and as a way of telling the person speaking to hurry up. Holding your head upright –Holding your head up demonstrates confidence and that you are listening carefully to what is being said. Smiling – In the UK one of the most positive gestures you can make is to smile. Even if you are uncertain about other body language issues a smile communicates friendliness and openness.Hand GesturesActivity 1Hand out the worksheet for Activity 1 to the students. Ask them to work in pairs and discuss each of the photos, what the hand gesture means and in what context it can be used. Ask the students to then work in pairs to role play the hand gestures in a conversation of their creation for the other students.When the pairs have finished, discuss as a whole group if each of the pairs acted out the hand gestures correctly and read through the following explanations if not.Picture 1: Ok Sign Formed by making a circle with your thumb and index-finger while the other fingers are outstretched – means ‘things are good’Picture 2: Thumbs down Formed by sticking your thumb downwards while keeping all other fingers tucked in – signifies a failure/mistake made. Picture 3: Finger pointing Pointing your finger is often used to show someone where something/someone is located. However pointing a finger directly at someone in front of you is a confrontational/aggressive gesture. It is not generally acceptable in British culture. When you point a finger at someone but accompany it with a wink it is a positive gesture. It usually means that ‘yes you’ve understood what I’m saying’ or ‘it’s your turn to speak’ or it is used to acknowledge who is responsible for doing something positive. Picture 4: Ear tugging Ear tugging often indicates someone is undecided about something. Picture 5:Finger wagging Shaking your finger from side to side conveys a warning, ‘Stop doing that’, a refusal or a means of saying ‘no you’re mistaken’. Picture 6: Thumbs up Formed by sticking up your thumb while keeping all other fingers tucked in – signifies a job well done. Picture 7:Giving someone the finger Formed by sticking up your middle finger while keeping all other fingers down – is an offensive gesture, used to insult someone.Picture 8: Peace Sign Formed by sticking your index and middle fingers up (in the shape of a V) while keeping your other fingers tucked in With palm facing outwards: represents peace or is often used as a pose for a photoNote: if the palm is facing inwards it is an offensive gesture, used to insult someoneAsk the students if these Hand gestures mean anything different in the cultures they have come from or do they mean the same?Hand out the ‘British Etiquette Explained’ sheet to read and discuss togetherInterview Body LanguageOne situation where a lot of value is placed on body language is in the interview room. Your body language will play an important role in forming the interviewer’s first impression of you. How you present yourself is equally important to what you say in an interview so it is essential to spend some time perfecting your body language beforehand. Activity 2 Interview body language Hand out the worksheet for Activity 2 to the studentsAsk the students to look at the photos and choose the photo where the interviewee is using the best body language for an interview and then look through the other photos and identify what mistakes the interviewee is making.Go through the suggestions below with the studentsAsk the students to work in pairs or small groups to think up any other body language suggestions and then to role play the following situations (using those and the body language suggestions provided below): A job interviewA staff meetingA work presentationA social event with work colleaguesThe other students should then critique if the body language used is appropriate for the above situations and give reasons why and why not. Photo 1: Shaking hands but looking downAnswer: shake the interviewers hand firmly while maintaining eye contact.Photo 2: Interviewee smiling, hands not in the pictureAnswer: It is better to keep your hands in view on the arms of your chair or the desk to demonstrate openness and confidence. Never place your hands in your pockets and it can seem as if you are uninterested / bored. Photo 3: Interviewee slouching in the chair with arms crossedAnswer: Sit up straight and lean slightly forward in your chair to demonstrate interest and engagement.Don’t cross your arms, place one arm across your body or hide your hands as this gives the impression that you feel nervous. It looks as though you are creating a protective barrier around yourself with your arms.Photo 4: Interviewee has handbag on their lap and placing hair behind their earAnswer: Find an appropriate place to set down your belongings. Do not put your handbag, briefcase or newspaper on your lap as it looks as though you are creating a protective barrier between yourself and the interviewer and gives the impression of being nervousAvoid touching your face and hair or any fidgeting movement in general which the interviewer will read as a sign of stress and distraction. Photo 5: Interviewee sitting up straight and gesturing with their hands as they talkAnswer: This is the perfect interview body language. The person is sitting up straight, leaning in and engaging. They are making eye contact and showing enthusiasm by using hand gestures, which comes across as the interviewee being confident, open and honest.Photo 6: Interviewee glancing down at phone/watchDo not check your watch or phone in an interview as it looks as though you are not interested and impatient to leave. .Hand out the ‘Interview body language rules’ sheet for the students to read and keepMirroringMirroring is when you mirror or reflect the body language of the person you are with. It is usually done unconsciously but it is a useful exercise to do when learning body language in a new culture. Examples of mirroring would include: one person crosses their legs and so does the other person, smiling back at the person who has smiled at you, leaning forward towards a person who has leant in to speak to you. Mirroring does not mean you completely copy the other person’s movements (which they could notice and find strange) but use similar subtle movements and gestures in response to theirs.Mirroring body language can: Create a bond between you and the person you are with as it develops a feeling that you might be similar in outlook, can identify with each other and get along. Create a feeling of connection and trust between you and the person you are with as it helps develop a sense of unity and commonality. On the other hand if the body language between two people is very different it can make the conversation feel uncomfortable and create feelings of unease. Activity 3MirroringAsk the students to pair off. Explain to them that they are going to practice mirroring, to become accustomed to observing the details of body language. One person in each pair must take the lead and move/make hand gestures/facial expressions as they wish. The other person must try to copy them. After two minutes get them to switch roles with the other person taking the lead.Once they have both had a go at leading, the next step is to mirror each other without a set leader.Ask the students for feedback, did they find the exercise easy/hard? Encourage the students to practice mirroring in their everyday life to become comfortable and natural with it. Suggested ActivitiesSuggest to the students that they watch a British television programme with the sound turned off to see if they can understand what is happening from the body language.Activity 1Hand GesturesPicture 1Picture 2 Picture 3Picture 4 Picture 5Picture 6 Picture 7Picture 8 British Etiquette Explained! GreetingsWhen meeting someone the usual greeting is to shake hands while making eye contact. A firm short hand shake works best and it is repeated when saying goodbye. Once you know someone well, a kiss on the cheek or hug is appropriate. First names are generally used even if you do not know the person well.Eye contactEye contact is very important when greeting and talking with people – including with authority figures and between members of the opposite sex. Eye contact suggests confidence, attentiveness and honesty.Small Talk(Small talk is informal/friendly talk about unimportant topics)Small talk is an expected part of most normal interactions and is considered to demonstrate friendliness and openness. Small talk often begins with a chat about the weather! TouchingApart from greetings/farewells, British people do not tend to touch each other often unless in an intimate situation. Smiling A smile makes a very positive impression in the UK. A smile communicates friendliness which is considered very important. If you are ever feeling unsure of a situation/need to ask for help a smile is usually responded to well!Winking – In the UK a wink is used as a friendly greeting/acknowledgement. It is also used if someone is playing a joke/teasing.It does not generally have the intimate associations found in many other cultures/countries - although this may occur and personal judgement is needed.Activity 2Interview Body LanguagePicture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4`Picture 5 Picture 6 Interview body language rulesDoShake the interviewer’s hand firmly while maintaining eye contact.Find an appropriate place to put your belongings.Sit up straight, and lean slightly forward in your chair.Place your hands on the desk in front of you and use hand gestures.Smile and nod to show interest and attentiveness.Do notXFidget which suggests you are nervous, stressed or lack focus, fidgeting includes:Biting your lip Rubbing the back of your head or neckShaking your footDrumming your fingersX Rub your eyes which may indicate you are bored/not paying attention. X Touch or scratch your nose while speaking as it is often considered a sign that you are lying or exaggerating. X Cross your arms over your body which makes it look like you are creating a protective barrier between yourself and the interviewer, indicating a lack of confidence.Practice appropriate job interview body language in the mirror or in front of friends and family before an interview to gain confidence. ................
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