Minds On
Non-verbal communication
It is amazing how much can be said to someone without saying a word!
Have you ever thought about how often you use non-verbal cues to communicate with others?
Non-verbal communication is the transmission or sharing of messages or signals, without the use of words.
For example, we can communicate through expressions, gestures, posture, and the distance between two individuals.
Explore the following videos and take note of the expressions, gestures, posture, and positioning of the people in each video.
What can you learn about these relationships based on this communication?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Press the following tabs explore these videos.
Action
Communication considerations
Communication is how we transfer information from one place, person or group to another. The transmission of the message from sender to receiver can be affected by many things. These include our emotions and the tool we use to communicate.
Any message that is expressed without words are examples of non-verbal communication. This includes a person’s posture, their facial expression, and gestures that they use. Verbal communication includes the use of words and phrases.
We also consider tone, volume, and the pace that we speak at as a part of verbal communication. When we examine written text, we search for clues to make sense of what we are reading. How a writer uses descriptions and phrases, or the placement of punctuation all plays a role. Also, different fonts and capitalization in writing give meaning to non-verbal communication.
Non-verbal cues
There are different non-verbal cues that people use when they communicate with others.
Non-Verbal Cues
Let’s explore the following examples and consider what these non-verbal cues might mean.
For example, if a person was sitting up straight at their desk smiling, you may conclude that the person is excited and happy to be working. How else could they communicate this?
For this activity, we will explore four audio recordings, each describing a specific situation. Then, we will use an interactive activity to match the image to the corresponding audio description.
Examining audio recordings
Access the following audio recordings to examine the descriptions of four different situations. Can you picture each description in your mind?
Description 1
Description 2
Description 3
Description 4
Connecting descriptions with images
Press each description image to find out if they match the picture you had in mind while examining the audio recordings. You can return to the previous audio recordings if needed.
“Imagine a young child playing golf with their family. The child’s mother has a fist in the air while directing their gaze to the child. The child’s sibling has a golf club in the air and the other fist in the air. The sibling’s mouth is wide open. The child’s other sibling is focused on something but has their club in the air, mid swing. The child’s father is focused on the child with their mouth open. The father is on one knee, holding their club. The child is smiling and their feet are off the ground slightly.”
“Imagine three friends, two of them leaning into the other’s space with wide eyes. One friend has a smile on their face and the other is inspecting their friend’s hand. They are all touching the one friend’s hands. The friend who is being touched is smiling.”
“Imagine a person sitting on a chair, their mouth is open, their eyes are crinkled, almost closed. Their legs are curled up in the chair. The person is using one hand to hold a phone at eye level and their other hand is cupping their face.”
“Imagine two friends in the front seat of a vehicle. They are sitting close together, and both are focusing their attention on a map. The one friend is smiling but the other friend has their mouth slightly open but furrowed brows.”
In the following chart provided, or in a method of your choice, determine what the non-verbal cues in each audio description and image are communicating.
Use the following checklist to review the different non-verbal cues that people use to communicate.
Non-Verbal Cues
Complete the Non-Verbal Cues Analysis in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to record the non-verbal cues you have identified in the audio descriptions and images.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Non-Verbal Cues Analysis.
Communication in action
In the next section, you will begin to prepare for a speech you will be creating and delivering. The following video is an example of an effective message being communicated by Hannah Alper.
Explore the following video and take note of the verbal and non-verbal cues that Hannah uses while discussing change. With the cues you noticed, reflect on the message you think Hannah was conveying with each cue. Use the following checklists for verbal and non-verbal cues or a method of your choice to record Hannah’s cues.
Non-Verbal Cues
Verbal Cues
Access the following TVOK News episode entitled “The Math of Change” to examine the message that Hanna Alper is trying to convey using verbal and non-verbal cues.
Consolidation
Task 1: Creating a short speech
It is time to create a short speech (2-3 minutes) about a topic of your choice. Your topic could be:
- information you would like to share about an interesting topic
- a review for a book, movie, TV show, podcast, poem, or musical piece
- a social action or environmental action topic that you are passionate about
Use verbal or non-verbal communication cues, or a combination of both to enhance your message.
Determine how to deliver your speech to capture the attention of your audience.
Use the following checklists to help you prepare your speech.
Non-Verbal Cues
Verbal Cues
Task 2: Presenting a speech
If possible, share your speech with someone you trust either out loud, from a recording, or in written form, and have your partner identify the verbal or non-verbal cues you used. Have them fill in the checklists, complete the chart, a written description, or an audio recording, as they record the cues you used.
The following checklists can be used to record the cues you used.
Non-Verbal Cues
Verbal Cues
Ask your partner to complete the Communication Cues Chart in their notebook or using the following fillable and printable document provided to record the cues you used in your speech.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Communication Cues Chart.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.