Application Of Nonverbal Communication In English Classroom Teaching

This paper aims to present a systematic study of nonverbal communication. In particular, it gives a detailed account of the use of nonverbal communication in English classroom teaching and its cultural differences between Chinese culture and American one, and at the same time, it gives a brief introduction of the ways to make a full use of nonverbal communication in English classroom teaching, based on the investigation, observation and interview, mainly by the inductive approach.Nonverbal communication, with a variety of definitions, has developed into a new discipline. Nonverbal communication covers a wide range of scope that is classified in different ways by different theorists. This paper prefers such a kind of classification as the use of time and space, bodily behavior, sound behavior and environment factors. Nonverbal communication characterizes a lot and functions great. Nonverbal communication has its own types and functions in classroom teaching.Verbal communication normally is emphasized by people in our daily life, but nonverbal communication can not be ignored in English classroom teaching. Nonverbal communication has a powerful influence on English classroom teaching in the aspects of use of time and space, bodily behavior, sound behavior and environment factors.Different cultures have different attitudes toward time. But it is common that both teachers and students are required to be punctual to the class. Those students who are punctual to the class can impress teachers positively, while those teachers who are on time for class are expected by students. Different courses require different length of time and so do different students.The spatial distance between teachers and students is a "critical factor in thecommunication process" of teaching and learning (Miller, 1981). The teachers who conduct their classes while standing or walking among their students are viewed more positively than those teachers who stand at the front of the classroom. They are seen as friendlier and are more effective than those who stand farther away from the students. The closer the teacher is to the student (up to 4 feet), the better the student responds both in attitude and in academic performance. To achieve a successful communication between teachers and students requires teachers' awareness of a proper spatial distance. Such patterns of seating as the traditional arrangement, the horseshoe arrangement and the modular arrangement have their own advantages. The pattern of the traditional arrangement is preferred by students when they have required courses. This pattern gives the birth to showing teachers' status and dominance. The second pattern is not only helpful for communication between teachers and students but also for communication among students themselves. However, the third pattern is most beneficial for the communication among students. The seat in the front, middle or back of the classroom has great influence on students' psychology.Teachers' appearance and artifacts affect, either positively or negatively, communication in the classroom. A smiling teacher is thought to convey warmth and promote a supportive and non-threatening classroom atmosphere. Eye contact can seek feedback between teachers and students, keep channels of communication closed or open and can infer the relationship between teachers and students. Relaxed posture and lively gestures can arouse students' positive attitude. Touch is a powerful communicator for establishing a link to students or conveying emotions. Such vocal elements as intonation, tone, pitch, rhythm, timbre, volume and inflection, pace, etc. form a powerful, subtle and vital part of communication between teachers and students. Silence or pause becomes the medium for conveying messages in classroom teaching.The environmental factors in the classroom, such as appearance of theclassroom, noise, color, lighting condition, music and objects used in the class for teaching purposes have shown great influence on classroom teaching.However, nonve...