ERIC Number: ED115073
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1973-May
Reference Count: 0
English Face-to-Face: The Non-Verbal Dimension of Conversation.
Bachmann, James K.
Nonverbal communication is important in foreign language teaching and learning because of its variation in form, meaning and distribution from one culture to another and because of its extensive use in the communicative process. Cross-cultural misunderstandings result from incorrect interpretations of the tone of voice, body motions, facial expressions, and the distances used when people communicate face-to-face. These misinterpretations are not obvious, and probably are not as rare as most people might assume, since they often occur below the level of awareness. Therefore, both teaching and testing procedures should allow for nonverbal communication. Dialogs can include gestures which can be either demonstrated by the teacher or shown on film and videotape. Varying tones of voice can be used to indicate emotions just as vocabulary is used by writers to express their attitudes toward their subjects. Teachers can thus add life to the printed words in their textbooks and stimulate student interest and motivations. (Author)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of TESOL (San Juan, Puerto Rico, May, 1973)