NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
A. Brainstorming – can you think of words that are related to “nonverbal
communication”? Write down at least 5 of them. Define this term.
Nonverbal
communication
B. Look at the faces. Can you guess the emotions they express? Work in pairs, look
at the handout given by a teacher, do you know all the adjectives?
TEXT-BASED EXERCISES
C.* Answer the questions based on the text.
1. Is a written message considered to be NVC?
2. How is NVC connected to building interpersonal relationships?
3. Is NVC understood by all people in the same way? Why?
4. How can avoiding eye contact be interpreted?
5. What is a connection of verbal and nonverbal communication?
6. Why do many Asian cultures avoid pointing with an index finger?
7. For which countries is a direct eye contact a positive sign of NVC?
8. What happens when nonverbal signs are different from verbal communication?
D. Match the words/phrases with the types of nonverbal communication from the
text. What message may they convey?
nodding the head screaming frowning bowing kissing
pointing with a finger whispering laughing hugging smiling
having arms crossed
E. Look at the highlighted words in the text. Can you translate them?
F. Complete the following sentences with some of the words highlighted in the text.
1. Using offensive language in the public is very _________ in my opinion.
2. He looks very __________. He always knows what to say.
3. __________ is very important in our relationship.
4. Using too many sources of information can cause a lot of _________. You do not
know which ones are true.
5. After the argument we felt a lot of __________ which was very uncomfortable. I
couldn’t relax at all.
6. __________ matters in this job. You cannot wear piercing or have a visible tattoo.
7. A good teacher should have regular __________ with their students. They cannot
learn much if they are too passive.
8. Nonverbal communication can _________ a lot of __________ messages which
are not expressed in words.
9. His _________ looks quite aggressive. He stands straight with his fist clenched.
10. I had to talk loudly and repeatedly to __________ what I wanted to say.
LEAD-OUT
G. Work in groups. Discuss the questions.
How do you greet people at home, at school or work? Do you stand close to other
people when you talk to them?
Do you think that Czech culture is contact or rather non-contact?
What would you wear if you were invited for a job interview / party / family
dinner?
Do you keep an eye contact when you talk to other people? Do you speak loudly
or silently?
What do you do with your arms when talking to other people? Do you use a lot of
facial expressions and gestures?
Do people you talk to influence your nonverbal communication? In which way?
Handout for part B:
https://com322group2.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/face-of-nonverbal-communication/
