Spoken English Upper-Intermediate

Module 2

Body language

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

 distinguish between good and bad body language used while speaking
 use good body language behaviours while delivering a presentation

Introduction
Do you know you’re communicating even when you’re not speaking? And how much of it is under
your control? Well, thankfully most of it is. You’re about to embark on a journey to a land where the
body does the talking. Make sure you learn the secrets of this land and share them with your
comrades. 
Are you ready to listen with your eyes?
Tasks
To arrive at the destination you have to successfully complete the following tasks: 

Task 1: 
a. Think and reflect on what you already know about Body Language. 

Task 2:
a. Listen to a Body Language expert and answer the given questions. 

Task 3:
Watch a presentation and assess the speaker’s body language. 

Task 4:
a. Write down the secrets to mastering this language. 
b. Record yourself delivering a two – minute speech on the importance of good body language.
Share the secrets you’ve gathered on this journey by applying them and sharing the video on
Edmodo! 

Let’s begin!

Task 1 (10 min)

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 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

B. Read the following descriptions of body language and tick those you think convey
confidence.

Nonverbal cue 
A firm handshake
Eye contact
A closed bodily posture
Open gestures
smile
An open bodily posture
Foot tapping
Grin
Biting nails

C. Do you think non-verbal communication can be more powerful than verbal communication?
If yes, why? If not, why not?
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Task 2 (15 min)

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 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

2. Inconsistent body language

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3. Planning and practice
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4. Descriptive gestures

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5. Emphatic gestures

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6. Suggestive gestures

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7. Prompting gestures

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 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

8. Culturally sensitive gestures

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9. Coordinating gestures, eye contact and walking

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Task 3 (15 min)

Watch the presentation by the World Champion of Public Speaking 2014, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi
and answer the following questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbz2boNSeL0
Did you like the talk? Why or why not? What are some of good body language behaviours the
speaker displays?
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Task 4 (20 min)

Prepare a two - minute speech on Body Language. You can include what you have learnt in this
lesson and also use the following links to gather more information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3jSXYBNak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5EnOoI-ePc
www.britishcouncil.org
www.britishcouncil.org.br
WWW
 Spoken English Upper-Intermediate
Module 2

Body language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmyn1PRroyc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARtWFviykRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxJ9pnnn7o

Step 2:

Plan appropriate gestures, facial expressions, posture and overall body language for your speech
and rehearse it in front of a mirror.

Step 3:

Record yourself and assess your body language. Post the video on Edmodo. Watch the videos of
your classmates and give feedback on their presentation. You can mention good body language
behaviours that they have displayed.

www.britishcouncil.org
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