Body Language

Pre Advanced. Lesson 8

Lesson 8. Body Language

޴Never as a woman if you may kiss her.

Instead learn to read body language޵
− Neil Strauss

1. Warm Up
1. When you meet someone for the first time, how do you
greet him or her?
2. Do you use the same greeting for men as for women?
3. How do you greet your friends?
4. How do you greet a friend of the opposite sex?

2
Lesson 8. Body Language

 5. How do you greet members of your family: children,

adults, old people?
 6. Describe three gestures you use frequently and say
what they mean.
 7. How would you expect the following people to dress?
 a dentist
a bank manager
a teacher
a shop assistant
a secondary school student
 8. Which gestures are impolite in your culture?

3
Lesson 8. Body Language
Introduction
Body language is a form of non-verbal
communication used between animals and
humans and consists of postures, gestures,
facial expressions, and eye movements. Body
language can tell us about the attitude or
state of mind of a person. For example, it may
indicate anger, depression, pleasure,
confidence or nervousness. Learning about
body language is helpful in relationships,
business, in family settings and
parenting. Although it is non-verbal, it can
reveal a lot about your feelings and meaning
to others and also how other others reveal
their feelings toward you.

4
Lesson 8. Body Language

Listening 8.1: Hand Gestures Around World (10pts)

They say that actions speak louder than words but as far as hand gestures go, a simple
action can also be more confusing than words. 86% of communication lies in body language
and hands are considered an important part of non verbal communication.
The Thumb and the (1)................
It may mean “two” in the low Countries, but flash this in China and people assume you’re saying “eight”.
But avoid (2)................. it around in Italy, as it means not good.
The Thumbs Up
What means alright and good in the UK, United States and South Africa, creates a different meaning in
Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. If your travels ever bring you to those parts of the world, remember that a
thumbs up is considered a (3) ................ insult.
The OK sign
In most culture it means OK, but in some others, it has a very different meaning. In (4) ................ and
Turkey, for example, it means (5) ................ The Brazilians see it as a vulgar insult. While in Germany it
can either mean OK or an (6) ................ depending which part of the country you’re in.
The fingers brought together
Most commonly seen in Italy as a (7) ................ that asks “what’s this?”, but in other countries it has
various meanings such as: little in India and Congo, beautiful in Turkey, and wait a moment in Egypt.
Come here or Go away
Another example of how a gesture can have a meaning in one culture, and a direct opposite meaning
and another. In the (8) ................ , Denmark and the Netherlands, doing this means you’re asking
someone to go away, but in Ghana, Philippines and Vietnam, you’re asking someone to come to you.

5
Lesson 8. Body Language

Identify the following body language and explain what they mean.

3
2 4

5
6
7
8

6
Lesson 8. Body Language

Reading Exercise
When we communicate with other people it is not only our words that contain the meaning. An important part of that meaning
comes from what is called 'non-verbal communication'. By this we mean facial expression; gestures with hands, arms, legs; the way we sit
or stand; the way we touch other people; the distance we keep between ourselves and the people we are talking to; our dress and our
appearance. All these say something to other people.
Facial expressions and gestures are used by everyone often spontaneously , even unconsciously. Smiling, for example, is
found in most cultures as a sign of happiness or pleasure. Gestures such as pointing, waving, shaking or nodding the head are also widely
used, although the gestures themselves do not always mean the same in every culture. I once asked a Portuguese student why bank
officials in Lisbon seemed so dour – sorry Lisbon bank clerks, but it's true – and he told me that if they smiled too much they would not seem
serious about their work.
Because many non-verbal messages are 'culture specific', they can cause a lot of misunderstanding between people from
different backgrounds. Northern Europeans and Americans, for example, like to keep a certain 'personal space' between themselves and
others and feel uncomfortable if people come too close to them. In these same cultures it is considered impolite to stare , but Greeks, it is
said, feel ignored if people do not stare at them in public. Europeans usually change their facial expression to show happiness, anger,
boredom, sadness. For this reason they call oriental people 'inscrutable' because they change facial expression much less.
In styles of dress we also make important statements about ourselves. Dress codes vary greatly from one culture to another
and it is easy to make mistakes about people's status if you don't know the cultural norm. In Mediterranean cultures bank officials and
similar employees wear short-sleeved, open-neck shirts and no jackets. This casual dress would not be acceptable in northern Europe,
where suits and ties are a sign of seriousness. Ambitious women in western cultures wear classic clothes in sober colours to indicate their
dedication to career.
One of the main differences between verbal and non-verbal communication is that we are often not conscious of the
expressions and gestures we use and so we are in danger of giving more information than we really want to, or even of giving a conflicting
message with our body language to the one expressed in our words.

7
Lesson 8. Body Language

1. 'Body language' is: 4. 'Classic clothes' (line 26) are:

A. The way we dress A. fashionable wear
B. The expressions on our face B. casual dress
C. Non-verbal communication C. unobtrusive, sensible dress
2. When we do something 'spontaneously' (line 5), we 5. A 'conflicting message' (line 30)gives
do it: people:
A. immediately A. useful information
B. after careful thought B. confusing information
C. reluctantly C. wrong information.
3. 'Status' (line 16) means:
A. condition
B. level of seniority MORE QUESTIONS
C. age
1. Explain why non-verbal messages are “culture specific”.
2. Do you keeping your own personal space?
3. Do you think oriental people are “inscrutable”? Why or Why not?
4. What’s the dress code in your country?

8
Lesson 8. Body Language
Match the headings to the paragraphs
1. Your body language
2. The first meeting
3. What type of person are you?
4. What to do with your hands
5. Pay attention to time!

A. Your body language can show what kind of person you are. It can show if you are a
busy or a quiet type and it helps give an impression of whether you are speaking
truthfully or not. It can show how enthusiastic you are and if you are a nice person,
someone who will take his or her work seriously, but also someone who has a sense of
humour. Through becoming more aware of your body language, you can definitely
increase your chances of getting a job.

B. An interview for a job is seen as a very important appointment, and arriving even a
little late for your job interview is therefore absolutely unacceptable. Missing the bus
or getting stuck in a traffic jam are poor excuses. It’s much better to arrive much too
early than even a little too late!

9
Lesson 8. Body Language

C. When you arrive, give your name at reception and you will
probably be asked to take a seat. After a while someone will come
to lead you to the interview area. Do not jump up immediately and
offer this person a handshake. It is better to let the other person
take the lead. Shake hands firmly, but not too powerfully and look
straight at the other person. After this you will be introduced to
the (other) members of the application committee. With each
greeting look directly at the other person, and say your name.

D. Try to show that you are relaxed.You can do this by sitting

up straight with your back against the back of the chair. If you
slouch, it might give the impression that you are not interested
in the job. Sitting on the edge of your chair can come across as
being a little tense and you might come across as looking
uncomfortable.

E. During a job interview, don’t fold your arms. If you do this, you might look defensive. It is
better to let your hands lie loosely in your lap or place them on the armrests of the chair.

10
Lesson 8. Body Language

 Read the article again and decide if

the statements are true or false:

1. Body language can help to show if you

are telling the truth.
2. A traffic jam is not a good reason for
being late.
3.You should offer your hand first when
shaking hands.
4. Do not look at the other person when
you shake hands.
5. Sit on the edge of the chair during the
interview.
6. It is not a good idea to fold your arms
during the interview.

11
Lesson 8. Body Language
5. Grammar Focus
Past Simple and Present Perfect
Present Perfect Simple Past Simple
Unfinished actions that started in the past and Finished actions:
continue to the present: I knew Julie for ten years (but then she moved away
I've known Julie for ten years (and I still know her). and we lost touch).

A finished action in someone's life (when the person A finished action in someone's life (when the person
is still alive: life experience): is dead):
My brother has been to Mexico three times. My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times.

A finished action with a result in the present: A finished action with no result in the present:
I've lost my keys! (The result is that I can't get into I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there
my house now). is no result. I got new keys yesterday).

With an unfinished time word (this week, this With a finished time word (last week, last month,
month, today): yesterday):
I've seen John this week. I saw John last week.

12
Lesson 8. Body Language
5. Grammar Focus
Remember:
We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present.
We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now OR
for finished actions which have a connection to the present.
We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word:
NOT: I've been to the museum yesterday.

Grammar Exercise
1. My great great grandfather ............. (have) five sisters.
2. He ............ (live) in Manila for a year when he was a student.
3. King Henry the Eighth of England ............ (have) six wives
4. She ............ (break) her leg the day before her exam.
5. Ow! I ............ (cut) my finger!
6. Amy ............ (live) in Portugal when she was young.
7. Oh no! I ............ (lose) my wallet!
8. ............ (you/see) 'The King's Speech'?
9. We ............ (see) Oliver yesterday.
10. She ............ (visit) her grandmother last month
11. ............ (never/go) to Vienna.
12. The Vandals ............ (invade) Rome in the year 455.

13
Lesson 8. Body Language
5. Grammar Focus
Grammar Exercise
Here are some extracts from a television report – past simple or present perfect
Choose the more appropriate tense for the verbs in brackets.
1. When President Nelson ____ (arrive) in Paris this evening, it will be the first time she ____ (visit) Europe
since her election victory in May.
2. The Victoria Hospital in Milltown ____ (close) to new patient after more cases of food poisoning.Three
elderly patients ____ (die) last week in the outbreak.
3. The rate of inflation ____ (drop) to 4.8%. It’s the first time in nearly two years that the rate ____ (fall) below
5%.
4. Nearly 600 laptops ____ (steal) from Ministry of Defence staff over the past five years. However, a
spokesperson ____ (insist) that there had been no security problems as none of the computers ____ (hold)
secret information.

Be able – feel happen – speak improve – be

Not want – fall rescue – be work – not have

1. Maria ____ to go swimming since she _____ in the river.

2. Since she ____ at the company she _____ a day off through illness.
3. Since he ____ the girl from a house fire, he ____ on TV almost everyday.
4. A lot ____ since I last ____ you.
5. Since I ____ to drive, I ____ much more independent.
6. Stefan’s reading ____enormously since he ____at school.

14
Lesson 8. Body Language
Common Collocations and Idioms
Matching Activity
a. What you do is more significant than what you say
Collocations: b. When you wave somebody off, you wave to them as
1. To make the first move they leave
2. To keep one’s finger crossed c. To agree
d. To bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head as a
3. Action speaks louder than
sign of submission or respect.
words e. Try to be cheerful
4. To keep one’s chin up f. To agree
5. To let one’s hair down g. to be the first to try to start a romantic relationship
6. To see eye to eye with someone
7. To stick your neck our h. to wish for luck for someone or something,
8. To keep an eye on sometimes by actually crossing one's fingers.
i. help someone a lot, with possible bad consequences
Idioms for oneself
9. Wave off j. When you wave a vehicle down, you wave your hands
10. Wave down to make it stop.
k. take care of, watch in order to protect
11. Bow down
l. Relax, have fun

15
Lesson 8. Body Language
Building Vocabulary

What do you think they mean?

A. Sighing when talking to someone
B. Talking with a shaky trembling voice
C. Slumping in a chair
D. Looking with tight lips and narrowed eyes
E. Sitting upright on the edge of the chair
F. Sitting with arms and legs slightly apart
G. Looking with a big smile
H. Fiddling with objects while talking
I. Talking or listening with clenched hands
J. Leaning against a wall when talking
K. Looking with eyes down when talking to someone
L. Leaning back on your chair with hands on your head
M. Leaning forward when sitting opposite someone
N. Looking away when someone is talking to you
O. Taking a deep breath when talking to someone
16
Lesson 8. Body Language
Discussion
1. Do you think body language is important?
2. How does body language help communication?
3. Are you aware of your own body language?
4. Do you notice other people’s body language?
5. What are some typical hand gestures in your culture?
6. Can you understand something about a person’s personality by
looking at their body language?
7. Do you have any body language you would like to change?
8. Some people say “you can know a person by their handshake”. Do
you agree?
9. What type of eye contact do you think is good?
10.Does your eye contact change according to the situation?
11.Is body language different between men and women?

17
The End