Non-Verbal Communication

Sorry for the Disney throwback, but on the subject of Non-Verbal Communication Ariel and Ursula from the Little Mermaid make a good point:

Ursula: What I want from you is...your voice.

Ariel: My voice? 

Ursula: You've got it sweet cakes... no more talking, singing, zip.

Ariel: But without my voice, how can I...

Ursula: ...you´ll have your looks, your pretty face, and don't underestimate the importance of body language!

So, what are some of the ways that we can communicate without speaking?

With a partner, try to think of as many examples for each category as you can. Then, share with the class.

Did you come up with the following vocab?

If not, add it to your lists.

• shrug your shoulders
• shake your head
• look at your watch
• make eye contact
• yawn
• fidget 
• stare 
• smile 
• cross your arms
• cross your legs
• rub your nose

Role Play
Act out the following situations without saying a word and see if the class can guess what is happening.

• You are at a restaurant and you find a fly in your food. You complain and get into an argument with the staff. 
• You are with a group of friends in an overly crowded bar. You can´t hear a word of the conversation because there is so much background noise. You want to suggest going to another, less crowded place.
• In pairs: Student A is trying to flirt with Student B, but Student B is completely uninterested.
• In pairs: You are at a business conference. One person is going on and on about a topic that completely bores the other. The bored listener tries to find a way out of the conversation without being completely rude. 
• In pairs: One of you is extremely angry with the other.