Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

 

Effective verbal and nonverbal communication in the classroom is essential for student success. It is imperative for verbal and nonverbal communication to work together. According to Simonds and Cooper (2011), when classroom teachers use clear, concise, appropriate and interesting communication, student achievement improves. In addition, when teachers use effective nonverbal communication in the classroom, the relationship between students and teachers increase. Positive classroom relationships between the teacher and students lead to greater student cognitive and affective learning. 

Verbal Communication Techniques
 

Research has shown that verbal communication will not only effect your students, it will also affect your ability to be a proficient teacher. Some verbal communication techniques are: teacher clarity, teacher appropriateness, and verbal delivery. 

• Teacher Clarity: The teacher's ability to present information in a way that the students will understand. Teachers should prepare students for what is being taught, provide many examples, demonstrate, provide lots of practice, and stress important or difficult ideas. Teachers should also make sure that the language being used in the classroom is age and content appropriate.  Teachers should always try to use inclusive language. 
• Verbal  Delivery: The way we deliver the messages, paying attention to articulation, tone of voice, pronunciation, volume, pauses, pitch and vocal variety. Listening to a speaker who uses a boring, monotone voice is difficult and hard to focus and comprehend. It is important for teachers have an enthusiastic quality when it comes to verbal delivery so that their students are engaged in the lesson. 

 

Nonverbal Communication Techniques

Nonverbal communication uses facial expressions, gestures and touch to portray messages. A positive classroom that is supportive, warm and inviting is often developed through nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is vital towards the student/teacher relationship because it conveys the full meaning of the words that are being expressed. It also allows students to feel a deeper connection to the information that is being presented (Simonds& Cooper, 2011).

Nonverbal communication can be categorized in several ways:

Proxemics: Having to do with personal space or the distance from students

Spatial arrangement: Addresses the arrangement of the classroom (seating charts). Teachers should understand how their seating arrangement can affect the dynamics and communication of the classroom.

Environmental factors: Taking in to account the classroom environment. Teachers should make sure their classroom is clean, comfortable, has good lighting and is pleasing to look at.

Chronemics: The study of how people use time. Teachers should ensure that they are giving their students appropriate time when responding to a question or participating in a discussion.

Artifacts: This Includes clothing; teachers should always be dressed professionally and appropriately, and should expect the same of students as well.

Kinesics: Includes body movement, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. Teachers that use more of this behavior in their classroom are more effective at communicating with their students versus those teachers that do not.