Body
Language and Presentation Skills
Introduction:
Communication is extremely important for teachers. It is a skill that can be
continuously improved upon by teachers. Effective communicators can reach the
weakest students in the class. This session focuses on process of improving non
verbal communication, that is body language and giving formal presentations.
Objectives
of the session
1.
To understand meaning, process and types
of communication.
2.
To know more about positive body
language as a teacher.
3.
To enable participants to give effective
verbal presentations as a teacher.
Definitions:
— Communication is a process of passing information
and understanding from one person to another. (Keith Davis)
— Communication is any behavior that results in an
exchange of meaning. (The American Marketing Association)
— Communication is the process by which information is
passed between individuals and/or organizations by means of previously agreed
symbols. (Peter Little )
Essentials of Written
Communication: Written communication is especially more important since it
is more often than not a record, which is preserved, read and referred to. For
teachers notes, question papers, reports, comments, articles are commonly
written material.
— Correctness-spelling, grammar, language, layout,
information, tone, style and formality.
— Clarity- short and simple language, punctuation,
definite, logical sequence and concrete details.
— Conciseness-to the point, leave unnecessary details
and ideas.
— Courtesy-use of thank you, please etc., make the
reader comfortable, show consideration for the feelings of the reader.
Effective
Body Language: Non-verbal
communication means communication through any means other than words. It is the
transmission of messages including body motion, characteristics of voice,
appearance and space distancing. Following are the general ways to have an
effective body language.
— Observe and understand the non-verbal signals being
sent your way and sent by you
— Use good eye contact
— Stop whatever when your listeners are looking bored
— Use your voice tone effectively
— Adopt appropriate posture that suits the occasion
— Express gratitude to the audience for being
attentive and responsive
— Soak in the pats that others give you
— Understand the cultural nuances of various forms of non-verbal
communication. When there is a contradiction between verbal and non-verbal
messages of a person you are listening to, try to assess the situation with the
help of non-verbal cues.
5
Tips to making good presentations: With the advancement of technology, we need to make verbal presentations
often using a tool in a seminar, function etc. Five important aspects should be
kept in mind as under:
— Speak slowly & distinctly
— Repeat key words & phrases
— Aim for clarity
— Communicate with body language
— Support your spoken message with visuals
Dr Mrs S T Aurangabadkar
Professor & Director
