The aim of this thesis is to give teachers the right and applicable knowledge about body language to make their lessons a success. But what exactly is a successful lesson?
In this thesis, success and therefore a successful lesson is defined as following: To communicate the subject matter in the most efficient and the most understandable way possible and to ensure that the subject matter is presented in the most understandable way possible is mostly up to the teacher. He needs to know what he is talking about and must be able to communicate it in a way to make it understandable for everyone in the class. Besides the verbal communication, the nonverbal communication is also of importance in this aspect. Effective Teaching is the last body language chapter in this thesis, which is all about postures, mimics and gestures that make the verbal message more understandable and interesting.
By using the information contained in the following chapters, the teacher can analyze, based on the student’s body language, if they engage in the desired behavior. If this is not the case, this thesis provides body language signs for the educator to use, that will cause students to respond with the desired behavior.
This is the reason why this thesis is split up into the four big chapters Motivation, Trust, Respect and Effective Teaching. The didactic purpose of each chapter will be explained in the following segment.
Table of Contents
1. What is body language and why is it important?
2. As without, so within
3. Reading the signs correctly
4. How to use body language to make your lessons a success
4.1 The four chapters
4.1.1 Motivation
4.1.2 Trust
4.1.3 Respect
4.1.4 Effective Teaching
5. Structure of this thesis
6. Chapter One: Motivation
6.1 Body language that indicates demotivation
6.2 How to use body language to motivate your class
6.3 Body language that indicates motivation
6.4 Summary
7. Chapter Two: Trust
7.1 Body language that indicates distrust
7.2 How to use body language to make the class trust you
7.3 Mirroring: The key to someone’s trust
7.4 Body language that indicates trust
7.5 Summary
8. Chapter Three: Respect
8.1 Social Hierarchies
8.2 Body language that indicates disrespect
8.3 How to use body language to make the class respect you
8.4 Body language that indicates respect
8.5 Summary
9. Chapter Four: Effective Teaching
9.1 Body language that indicates disinterest
9.2 How to use body language to teach your students effectively
9.3 Body language that indicates interest
9.4 Summary
10. Closing thoughts
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this thesis is to provide educators with actionable knowledge regarding body language to enhance teaching success and improve classroom communication. By analyzing nonverbal cues, teachers can gain deeper insights into student motivation, foster a trusting environment, establish necessary social hierarchies, and present content more effectively.
- Application of nonverbal communication to increase student motivation and engagement.
- Development of strategies to build trust and rapport between teachers and students.
- Establishment of professional boundaries and social structure through respectful body language.
- Improvement of pedagogical effectiveness through purposeful posture, gesture, and mimicry.
Excerpt from the Book
What is body language and why is it important?
The body is the glove of our soul. (Molcho, Körpersprache 20) These words from Samy Molcho hold a lot of truth to it. Body language is the language everyone speaks. Regardless of nationality, race, looks or cultural background. Everybody speaks it, literally. But what exactly is it, and why is it important? Allan and Barbara Pease defined body language as following: Body language is an outwards reflection of a person´s emotional condition. Each gesture or movement can be a valuable key to an emotion a person may be feeling at the time (Pease and Pease 11).
It is with our bodies that we express our innermost desires, and it is with our bodies that we communicate what we feel in the moment. As a matter of fact, the language of our body is more important than the voice of our tongue. It speaks louder than the verbal messages that are communicated and without it our words and sentences sound meaningless. The famous Psychologist Albert Mehrabian, which established the 7-38-55 Rule, proved this. The rule states the meaning in human communication is conveyed by 7% with our verbal content (words, sentences), by 38% with our tonality and by 55% with our body language (Mehrabian and Wiener 109-114). Over 50% of the meaning in our communication is being communicated by the language of our body. In fact, research shows that verbal communication is mainly used to carry information and data, whereas nonverbal communication is used to exchange the inner attitudes of the speakers (Pease and Pease 10).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Motivation: This chapter analyzes postures and gestures indicating student demotivation and provides teachers with nonverbal techniques, such as upright posture and assertive movement, to actively boost student enthusiasm.
Chapter Two: Trust: This section explores signs of distrust and strategies for gaining student trust, including the importance of open body language, appropriate use of touch, and the psychological impact of mirroring.
Chapter Three: Respect: This chapter discusses social hierarchies in the classroom, teaching educators how to use dominant yet professional body language to maintain authority and ensure they are respected by their students.
Chapter Four: Effective Teaching: This chapter focuses on how teachers can support their verbal instruction through body language, specifically aiming to enhance the clarity and engagement of lessons while identifying signs of student interest or disinterest.
Keywords
Body Language, Nonverbal Communication, Classroom Management, Teacher-Student Relationship, Motivation, Trust, Respect, Social Hierarchy, Effective Teaching, Mehrabian Rule, Mirroring, Pedagogy, Emotional Intelligence, Student Engagement, Posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the practical application of nonverbal communication and body language techniques by teachers to optimize the classroom environment and instructional effectiveness.
What are the core thematic areas?
The themes are divided into four main pillars: fostering student motivation, building mutual trust, establishing professional respect through social hierarchy, and refining teaching methods for higher impact.
What is the central research question?
The central question is how educators can purposefully use body language to create successful, efficient, and understandable learning experiences for their students.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The thesis utilizes a qualitative approach, synthesizing psychological theories, such as the 7-38-55 Rule, attachment theory, and Kounin’s research on effective teaching, to define and categorize nonverbal signs.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body systematically covers how to identify specific student behaviors through posture and mimicry, followed by actionable instructions on how the teacher should respond using their own body language.
Which keywords define this thesis?
The work is defined by concepts like nonverbal communication, motivation, trust, professional authority, pedagogical efficacy, and social status in educational settings.
How does the "Law of Cause and Effect" apply to the teacher?
The Law of Cause and Effect implies that a teacher’s own body language not only communicates a message to students but also directly influences the teacher's own emotional state, helping them become more confident and focused.
Why is mirroring important in the context of trust?
Mirroring is a technique used to build subconscious rapport; by subtly imitating the movements of students who show distrust, the teacher makes themselves appear more relatable and non-threatening, thereby increasing trust over time.
How should a teacher balance dominance and accessibility?
The teacher should maintain a dominant, straight posture to establish respect and social status, while utilizing specific techniques, such as lowering their height or "opening up" their body, to remain approachable and foster an environment of trust.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Samuel Bajaly (Autor:in), 2021, How to Use Body Language to Make your Lessons a Success. Postures, Gestures and Mimics that Make you a Better Teacher, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1044778
