COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATIONWhat different ways of communicating do we have?What different ways of communicating do we have?

• Language: speaking and writing.

• Media: TV, newspapers, the Internet…

• Signs: symbols, flags, icons…

• Body language: gestures, facial

expressions, physical contact, postures.

In pairs, answer these questions.In pairs, answer these questions.• How many languages do you speak? Why are

you studying English?• What means do you use to keep in touch with

your friends / family? • Do you write letters and cards / e-mails? Do

you have a blog or website? Are you on facebook or a different social network?

• Do you know anybody with a communication disability (deaf, dumb, blind)?

• Do you read the newspaper / watch the news?• How often do you read? • What do you use the mobile for?

Body languageBody language• Posture. One can be lying down, seated, or standing.

Are we slouched or erect? Are our legs crossed or our arms folded ? Such postures convey a degree of formality and the degree of relaxation in the communication exchange.

• Physical Contact. Shaking hands, touching, hugging, pushing, or patting on the back all convey messages. They reflect an element of intimacy or a feeling of (or lack of) attraction.

• Facial Expressions. A smile, frown, raised eyebrow, yawn, and sneer all convey information.

• Gestures. One of the most frequently observed is a hand movement. Most people use hand movements regularly when talking.

PosturePosture

Describe these postures. Say how these people feel, what they are doing, etc.

Physical contactPhysical contact

What different actions and relationships can we see in these pictures?

Facial expressionsFacial expressions

Can you name the facial expressions? What feeling(s) do you associate with them?

GesturesGestures

What do these hand gestures mean?

GlossaryGlossary• Posture: to be lying down /seated / standing; to be

erect /slouched; to have your legs crossed / your arms folded.

• Physical contact: shake hands, kiss (N/V), hug (N/V), stroke (V), bow (V), tickle (V), pat someone’s back.

• Facial expressions: have your eyes / mouth wide open, pout (V/N), yawn (V/N), smile (V/N), sneer (V/N), wink (V/N), frown (V/N), blush (V/N), raise your eyebrow, stick your tongue out.

• Gestures: fingers (pointer/index, tall/middle, ring, pinky/little), thumb, fist, to point, “fingers crossed!”, thumbs up.

Verb phrases IVerb phrases I

Verb phrases IIVerb phrases II