“THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NON-VERBAL

COMMUNICATION”
A study of classroom management behavior of the teachers of
Andhra Loyola College
1. Introduction to the topic

The world is becoming more and more competitive and the quality of performance has become the key
factor of personal success. Personal success and satisfaction of the teacher depends on successful classroom
communication. We usually identify communication with speech, but it has two dimensions verbal and non-
verbal. Non verbal communication has been termed as communication “beyond words”.

Researchers on classroom communication suggest that many more feelings and intentions are sent and
received nonverbally than verbally. Mehrabin and Wiener suggest that only 7% of the messages are sent
through words while the remaining 93% is sent through non-verbal communication.

Non-verbal communication includes apparent behaviors such as Kinesics(body motions- blushes, shrugs, eye
movement, foot-tapping, drumming fingers), Proxemics(spatial separation in relation with both the social and physical
environment), Haptics(touch) , Oculesics (eye contact), Chronemics (use of time, waiting, pausing), Olfactics (smell),
Vocalics( tone of voice, timbre, volume, speed), Sound Symbols (grunting, mmm, er, ah, uh-huh, mumbling), Silence
(absence of sound like muteness, stillness, secrecy), Adornment (clothing, jewellery, hairstyle), Posture (position of the
body-characteristic or assumed), Locomotion( walking, running, staggering, limping), Expression (frowns, grimaces,
smirks, smiles, pouting) etc…

2. Need for the project

Non-verbal communication is a critical aspect of interpersonal communication in the classroom. A

teacher how knowledgeable may be his teaching will not be effective unless he properly uses his non-verbal
skills. Very little research has been undertaken in the area of non-verbal communication. Hence the study has
been taken.

Although Andhra Loyola College is called a college with potential for excellence, many non-verbal
skills are ignored in classroom teaching. Therefore a survey study of few teachers is needed in order to explore
the areas that are helpful for the effective classroom teaching practice.

3. Methodology of investigation

The method adopted is survey study, brings an understanding of the classroom

communication. To study the quantitative interaction of non-verbal communication the investigators will take a
sample of 25 cases of teachers of Andhra Loyola College. The selected teachers will be observed with the help
of an evaluation sheet, and the results will be calculated with the help of quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Finally the selected teachers are counseled for the improvement of their classroom management skills.

The present study deals with different non-verbal behaviors of the teachers of Andhra Loyola College in their
classrooms.

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3.1 Objectives of the study

• To find out the effectiveness of non-verbal communication in classroom.

• To illustrate how teachers communicate non-verbally.

• To illustrate how teachers react to their students non-verbal messages.

• To suggest remedial measures and enrichment programs to develop non-verbal communication skills.

4. Project outcomes

• An awareness of nonverbal skills will be created among the teachers of Andhra Loyola College. That
awareness will allow them to become better receivers of students messages.

• The teacher will become a better sender of signals that reinforces learning.

• This project will make the teacher to become an effective and efficient communicator of non-verbal
skills.

5. References

• Louisa Leaman(2006), The Naked Teacher , Continuum, 80 Maiden Lake,Suit 704 New York, NY
10038.

• P. J. Hills(1986),Teaching, Learning & Communication,Croom Helm Ltd, Provident House, Burell

Row, Beckenham, Kent BR31At

• R. A. Hinde(1972), Non Verbal Communication,Cambridge University Press, Bentley house, 200

Euston Road, London NWI 2db.

6. Project Investigators

CH. Prazwal Jasper (DGH-07) B. Ambedkar (DGH-17)

Apporved By

Ms. Neelima M.A., M.Ed.

Project Guide,

Lecturer in English,

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 Andhra Loyola College.

Evaluation Sheet of Non-Verbal Skills

Name: Date:

Class: No.of Students:

Observe the teacher’s performance during the lesson presentation. And circle the best choice
according to the scale:

1: poor 2: fair 3: well 4: good 5: excellent

Presenter 1 Name: _______________

KINESICS [body motions- blushes, shrugs, eye

movement, foot-tapping, drumming fingers]

PROXIMICS [spatial separation in relation with

both the social and physical environment]

HAPTICS [touch]

EYE - CONTACT

CHRONEMICS [use of time, waiting, pausing]

VOCALICS [tone of voice ,timbre, volume ,speed]

SOUND SYMBOLS [grunting, mmm, er, ah, uh-

huh, mumbling]

ADORNMENT [clothing, jewellery, hairstyle]

POSTURE [position of the body-characteristic or

assumed]

LOCOMOTION [walking, running, staggering,

limping]

EXPRESSION [frowns, grimaces, smirks, smiles,

pouting]

RATE OF SPEAKING

COMMAND OF LANGUAGE

SILENCE
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INSTRUCTION GIVING
 ASSESSMENT

1. personal competence: write your personal competence about the subject. Support yourself
with examples. (10 points)

2.Interview:

a. How important are the skills?

b. Are these skills useful to you?

c. Do you think you met the expectations of the students?

d. How do you view your NVS ?

e. Have you ever tried to improve your NVS?

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(25 points)