This part of the site is help strategies to help you develop the skills to understand implicit messages, whether intentional or not, which are expressed through non-verbal behaviours. The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication, or body language, is a powerful skill that can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, and build better relationships. Communication is more nonverbal than verbal and good communication is the foundation of any successful relationship, be it personal or professional. It's vital to identify, though, that it's our nonverbal communication, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice—that speak the loudest (Skillsyouneed.com, 2014). We constantly give and receive wordless signals when interacting with others with our nonverbal behaviours— gestures, the way we sit, how we talk fast or loud , how we stand, eye contact we make—send strong messages. And these messages don't stop when you stop speaking. Even when you're silent, you're still communicating nonverbally (Helpguide.org, 2014).
Facial expression is the most obvious form of non-verbal communication. A smile, frown, raised eyebrow, yawn and sneer all convey information. Facial expression continually changes as you are communicating. The recipient monitors these changes closely (either consciously or subconsciously). You also monitor the recipient's reaction to what you are saying. For example, if you ask a colleague to do a job for you and they frown, you would know that they were not keen to be involved. (Findyourfeet.com, 2014)
Another common nonverbal are Gestures, there are three main types of gestures: Adaptors are touching behaviors and movements that indicate internal states typically related to arousal or anxiety, Resulting from uneasiness, anxiety, or a general sense that we are not in control of our surroundings.
Emblems are gestures that have a specific agreed-on meaning. And the most commonly used gesture Illustrations which illustrate the verbal message they accompany. For example, you might use hand gestures to indicate the size or shape of an object. Unlike emblems, illustrators do not typically have meaning on their own and can be used more subconsciously than emblems. Use these largely involuntary and seemingly natural gestures flowing from people as they speak get to understand the nonverbal communication this vary in terms of intensity and frequency based on context. Explicitly understanding the use of illustrative gestures happens automatically. Think about how you still gesture when having an animated conversation on the phone even though the other person can’t see you. (2012books.lardbucket.org, 2014)
Use illustrations to clarify information, it is a powerful skill; it arises and alters emotions and moods. Illustration is art, there is a certain skill and an intuitive understanding of forms needed. It is visual and verbal versed. (Education Portal, 2014)
In some countries people use a lot of gestures along with their speech; in others people use it sparingly.
The best practice is to learn the culture of particular people you will be involved with. When confused about another person's nonverbal signals, always ask questions. A good idea is to repeat back your interpretation of what has been said and ask for clarification. An example of this might be, "So what you are saying is that..."
Gestures impact on what think of people of others. A person gesticulating in a ‘low-gesture’ country may be perceived as emotional, aggressive while the opposite gives the impression stiffness. In communication people from high-gesture cultures may find it difficult to understand low-gesture cultures without the visual dimension of gesticulation. (Culturesintheclassroom.com, 2014)
Another common nonverbal are Gestures, there are three main types of gestures: Adaptors are touching behaviors and movements that indicate internal states typically related to arousal or anxiety, Resulting from uneasiness, anxiety, or a general sense that we are not in control of our surroundings.
Emblems are gestures that have a specific agreed-on meaning. And the most commonly used gesture Illustrations which illustrate the verbal message they accompany. For example, you might use hand gestures to indicate the size or shape of an object. Unlike emblems, illustrators do not typically have meaning on their own and can be used more subconsciously than emblems. Use these largely involuntary and seemingly natural gestures flowing from people as they speak get to understand the nonverbal communication this vary in terms of intensity and frequency based on context. Explicitly understanding the use of illustrative gestures happens automatically. Think about how you still gesture when having an animated conversation on the phone even though the other person can’t see you. (2012books.lardbucket.org, 2014)
Use illustrations to clarify information, it is a powerful skill; it arises and alters emotions and moods. Illustration is art, there is a certain skill and an intuitive understanding of forms needed. It is visual and verbal versed. (Education Portal, 2014)
In some countries people use a lot of gestures along with their speech; in others people use it sparingly.
The best practice is to learn the culture of particular people you will be involved with. When confused about another person's nonverbal signals, always ask questions. A good idea is to repeat back your interpretation of what has been said and ask for clarification. An example of this might be, "So what you are saying is that..."
Gestures impact on what think of people of others. A person gesticulating in a ‘low-gesture’ country may be perceived as emotional, aggressive while the opposite gives the impression stiffness. In communication people from high-gesture cultures may find it difficult to understand low-gesture cultures without the visual dimension of gesticulation. (Culturesintheclassroom.com, 2014)
References
2012books.lardbucket.org, (2014). Types of nonverbal communication. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-communication-studies/s04-02-types-of-nonverbal-communicati.html
Archives.dailynews.lk, (2014). Sri lanka business news | online edition of daily news - Lakehouse newspapers. Retrieved 18 October 2014, from http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/09/13/bus29.asp
Culturesintheclassroom.com, (2014). Body movement (kinesics ) > non-verbal communication > cultures in the classroom. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://www.culturesintheclassroom.com/5_kinesics.shtml#eye_contact
Education portal, (2014). Oral communication: definition, types & advantages video - lesson and example | education portal. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/oral-communication-definition-types-advantages.html#lesson
Eslprintables.com,. (2014). Facial expression - worksheet by zeynepsultan. Retrieved 18 October 2014, from http://www.eslprintables.com/vocabulary_worksheets/face_and_body/facial_expressions/FACIAL_EXPRESSIONS_3
Findyourfeet.com, (2014). Communication - non-verbal communication. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://findyourfeet.com/bushland/intranet/asm/nonverb.htm
Helpguide.org, (2014). Nonverbal Communication: Improving nonverbal skills & Reading body language. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq6_nonverbal_communication.htm
2012books.lardbucket.org, (2014). Types of nonverbal communication. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-communication-studies/s04-02-types-of-nonverbal-communicati.html
Archives.dailynews.lk, (2014). Sri lanka business news | online edition of daily news - Lakehouse newspapers. Retrieved 18 October 2014, from http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/09/13/bus29.asp
Culturesintheclassroom.com, (2014). Body movement (kinesics ) > non-verbal communication > cultures in the classroom. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://www.culturesintheclassroom.com/5_kinesics.shtml#eye_contact
Education portal, (2014). Oral communication: definition, types & advantages video - lesson and example | education portal. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/oral-communication-definition-types-advantages.html#lesson
Eslprintables.com,. (2014). Facial expression - worksheet by zeynepsultan. Retrieved 18 October 2014, from http://www.eslprintables.com/vocabulary_worksheets/face_and_body/facial_expressions/FACIAL_EXPRESSIONS_3
Findyourfeet.com, (2014). Communication - non-verbal communication. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://findyourfeet.com/bushland/intranet/asm/nonverb.htm
Helpguide.org, (2014). Nonverbal Communication: Improving nonverbal skills & Reading body language. Retrieved 24 September 2014, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq6_nonverbal_communication.htm