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Salahaddin University-Hawler College of Education Semantics & Pragmatics Term Paper The Use of Facial Expressions and Eye Contact in Teaching Prepared by: Aryan Hamza Othman Supervised by: Assist. Prof. Dr. Himdad Abdul-Qahar Muhammad 2013 Abstract Classroom teaching is an activity of communication. Teachers and students convey messages by both verbal and non-verbal cues. The non-verbal behavior plays an important role in the process of teaching. Non-verbal communication makes the teaching environment to be active and the students to feel watchful and ready to participate in the learning process. Two of the most important forms of non-verbal communication are facial expressions and eye contact. The facial expression is an important tool of the teaching-learning process and could make the teaching-learning more effective and interesting .Teachers facial expressions positively affect the teaching learning process. Different facial expressions on the face of the teacher help the students to understand the lessons better and motivate them to work hard. The eyes are powerful tools for both the teacher and the learner. The eyes converse as much as the tongue; and when there is a conflict between what a person's tongue and eyes say, it is always the eyes which are trusted .Teachers regular eye contact makes the environment alive. Teachers can make use of eye contacts to convey messages of appreciation and anger. Finally, the appropriate use of facial expressions and eye contact makes the process of teaching to be motivated, interesting and consequently increases the students’ performance, i.e. a teacher as the master of the situation and the corner stone in learning process has to arouse joyfulness in creative expressions and knowledge in his daily teaching. As Albert Einstein has mentioned in the following speech. {It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy creative expression and knowledge} 2 in Table of Contents 1- Abstract………… 2- Introduction…… 3- Verbal Communication vs. Non-Verbal Communication…. 4- Definitions of Non-Verbal Communication…. 5- Forms of Non-verbal Communication…. 6- Facial Expressions… 7- Facial Expressions & Teaching… 8- The Functions of Facial Expressions in Teaching… 9- Eye Contact… 10- The Importance of Eye Contact in Teaching… 11- Conclusions & Summary… 12- Bibliography 3 1. Introduction Communication is an integral part of our lives. We communicate in different ways to express our thoughts, feelings, knowledge and attitudes. Communication is normally identified with speech but it is the combination of both verbal and non verbal signs. Non-verbal communication has often been defined as communication without speech. As Bovee,et al stated," people’s actions often do speak louder than their words. In fact, most people can deceive others much more easily with words than they can with their bodies. Words are relatively easy to control; however, body language, facial expressions, and vocal characteristics are not. By paying attention to these nonverbal cues, we can detect deception or affirm a speaker's honesty since the nonverbal communication is so reliable that people generally have more faith in nonverbal cues than they do in verbal messages. If a person says one thing but transmits a conflicting message nonverbally, listeners almost invariably believe the nonverbal signal. Chances are if we can read other people’s nonverbal messages correctly, we can interpret their underlying attentions and respond appropriately" (Impact of Non-Verbal Communication on Students' Learning Outcomes, 2011, p.4). This paper deals with two important forms of non-verbal communication and their roles in the process of teaching. Facial expressions and eye contact which are very essential elements that need to be focused on because of their crucial roles in the teaching-learning process. The main goal of this paper is to indicate the important role, and the use of both facial expressions and eye contact in the process of teaching-learning. 4 2. Verbal Vs Non-Verbal Communication http://www.cdxetextbook.com/assocStudies/comm/peopleskills/otherhlf.html Usually communication is recognized as speech, but in fact it has two dimensions verbal and nonverbal communication. We can say that each of these dimensions is a face to face method of communication except when the verbal communication is in need of sound while the latter is in need of sight. The verbal communication is the communication by using words while nonverbal is the communication by the use of signs without words. Verbal communication has its own rules and grammatical structures whereas non-verbal communication has no rules; that’s to say linguistic and non-linguistic communications. The verbal communication is conscious while most of the non-verbal signs are unconscious. For example, facial expressions such as, blushing, sweating, or yawning…etc is not under the control of human beings. Most of the non-verbal signs are ambiguous that is why it is hard to analyze them easily, for example a smile may have many interpretations according to different cultures, it may mean happiness, sarcastic, friendliness,…etc. A child when born has the ability of smiling and crying, while not able to say a word. So we can say that verbal communication is in need of learning unlike non-verbal which is inborn and does not need of learning except of some of them that are culturally bounded. "As Davis (1990) says Caucasian schoolteachers associate students' avoidance of eye contact with deception, whereas Asian students see such avoidance as a sign of respect" (Journal of NELTA, Vol.14, No.1-2, December 2009). 5 Non-verbal communication is as complex, large, and communicative as verbal communication. The function of non-verbal communication most of the time depends on the age and gender, and sometimes on various cultures. Communication often is a mixture of both verbal and non-verbal cues. A large number of experts say that communication is %7 verbal, %38 vocal (tone of voice, inflection and other sounds) and % 55 non-verbals. So even during verbal communications we use a large number of non-verbal signs. Non-verbal communication has a very significant role in teaching which is not realized by educationalists and policy planners. Now, in this era, the focus of teaching is on communicative approach yet non-verbal communication is neglected although it involves side by side with the verbal communication. It will be very useful for curriculum planners to realize the importance of nonverbal communication and make it a part of the teaching programmers', thus the prospective teachers will be trained in this valuable skill. Non-verbal communication usually is used for either revealing or hiding emotions. This function is done mostly by facial expressions. In our daily lives most of us have to face a situation to hide his emotions and pretend to be interested in something that he doesn't like it, this is for the sake of morality and social traditions, also to make life go smoothly and easier. 3. Definitions of Non-Verbal Communication According to R.L. TRASK in Language and Linguistics, The Key Concepts, 2007" Non-verbal communication is any aspect of communication which doesn't involve any words. When you talk to somebody else, you stand, you wear particular expressions, you make particular gestures, and your choices often communicate things that your words do not express directly: whether you are interested or bored, whether you are nervous or confident, whether you are attracted to the other person or not, and so on. All of these are aspects of non-verbal communication, and many of them are culture-bound, so that, when trying to speak a foreign language, you may inadvertently convey something you don't intend". According to Wikipedia (n.d) "Non-verbal communication is usually understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving 6 wordless messages. i.e., language is not the only source of communication, there are other means also. Non-verbal communication can be communicated through body movements, facial expressions, eye contact, and gestures". (Impact of Non-Verbal Communication on Students' Learning Outcomes, 2011, p.2 ) Non-verbal communication can refer to the use of paralinguistics which defined according to Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics 1990 as the study or use of non-vocalic phenomena such as facial expressions, head or eye movements, and gestures, which may add support, emphasis, or particular shades of meaning to what people are saying". 4. Forms of Non-verbal Communication 1- Kinesics ( Body movements and gestures) 2- Proxemics ( Space management in relation to social and physical environment) 3- Haptics ( Use of touch) 4- Oculesics ( Use of eye contact) 5- Vocalics ( Tone, pitch, volume, and speed of the voice) 6- Facial Expressions (Gestures produced by the muscles of the face) 7- Postures ( The position and orientation of the body) 8- Olfactics ( Use of smell) 9- Silence (Absence of linguistic words or forms) 10- Adornment ( Clothes, Jewelry, and hairstyle) 11- Chronemics ( Time management) 12- Olfactics ( interpersonal communication through smell and perfume) “The role of Nonverbal communication in Beginners’' EFL Classrooms, by Mohamed ELFATIHI, 2005-2006, P.16” All these forms of non-verbal communication share some features with each other: 1- Most of the verbal and non-verbal signs are in struggle with each other. 2- Verbal and non-verbal communications often are particular to certain cultures. 3- A large number of non-verbal communications are function unconsciously. 7 4- Non-verbal communication usually expresses feelings and emotions. 5. Facial Expressions "A picture is worth a thousand words" http://news.discovery.com/history/a-younger-mona-lisa-120927.htm This saying is a good example to see the use of facial expressions. One of the most complicated parts of the human body is the face. People can communicate silently through their faces. Usually when we look at a person's photo we see the face but we concentrate on the eyes and the mouth, that's why these two organs are the most important parts of the face. Looking at a face can tell you a lot about the feelings and emotions, while when you communicate with someone and you are not able to see the face you may have problems and misunderstandings. i.e. in chat rooms and e-mails. This situation led to the invent of emoticons to solve such problems. Emoticon is the combination of emotion and icon. Use icons which are usually consist of eyes and mouth to express 8 emotions. http://thehappinesscoach.biz/tag/negative-emotions/ Facial expression is one of the forms of non-verbal communications. This form of non-verbal communication carries a lot of meaning about a person, and through it one can predict or know a lot about someone even if you see that person for the first time. Hall, 1980 states that “psychologists estimate that humans can produce up to 2000 different facial expressions." (The role of Nonverbal communication in Beginners’' EFL Classrooms, by Mohamed ELFATIHI, 2005-2006, P.16). The different expressions that are made by face are universal, but not all people are capable of producing these various facial expressions because of problems with muscles or a brain damage. 5.1. Types of Facial Expressions Haller and Rambaud (1980) classified the facial expressions into the following categories : 5.1.1.The Basic Expressions. These are the primary facial expressions that all humans, including very young children can produce. These can be either positive expressions, like tenderness, curiosity, in addition to frankness, negative expressions like anger, disgust, and terror, or mixed expressions such as astonishment, impatience, and submission. 9 5.1.2. Secondary Expressions. These are such complex facial expressions that only adults, normally, can produce. They are also subdivided into negative expressions such as admiration, relief, and bravery, and negative ones like disdain, challenge, and despair. 5.1.3. Reinforcing Expressions .These expressions are able to reinforce the meaning of what speakers can express verbally, for instance, familiarity, humility, and reflection. 5.1.4. Relative Expressions. These expressions have the function of relating different other expressions or giving them a distinct characteristic like remembrance, helplessness, and satiety. 5.1.5.Complementary Expressions. These expressions function in very particular situations for making them delicate to interpret such as boredom, and extreme fatigue. (The role of nonverbal communication in beginners' EFL Classrooms, by: Mohamed ELFATIHI, 2005-2006, P.16) 6. Facial Expressions & Teaching There is a mutual relationship between the facial expressions of the teacher and the students. That is to say the more the teacher is facially expressive the more the students are facially expressive. The facial expressions can be used as a technique of teaching by the teachers not only to explain the subjects and clarify them to the students but also to make the class be more interesting and motivated. The teacher’s facial expressions have a great effect on the teaching process. If the teacher uses a positive face, the students will enjoy the lecture and feel comfortable, while if the teacher has a negative face, the students will feel discomfort and don't understand the subject. The use of facial expressions by the teacher is not a simple task, because it takes great skill of how to use it side by side with the verbal communication during the learning process, so as not to cause misunderstandings. Woolfolk (2004) stated that the students/learners would prefer communication more than listening to the teacher’s talks, i.e. It is more than the words that have been exchanged between individuals. In fact, we communicate in many ways such as our actions, movements, voice tone, facial expressions, and many other nonverbal 10 behaviors which send messages to our students. Often, the messages we intend to send are not the messages that our students will receive. (Impact of Non-Verbal Communication on Students' Learning Outcomes, 2011,) http://contradictmyself.com/category/uncategorized/ 7. The Functions of Facial Expressions in Teaching Facial expressions are of great importance and teachers must pay attention to them. They have to use them effectively in their classes since they have the following useful functions: 1- Through the use of facial expressions the teacher will have more impressions than the use of verbal communication, because the message that the teacher sends will be more clear and diversified. 2- The teacher can use the facial expressions to motivate the students to study hard and have good results. i.e. the use of smile and anger during the class on the face of the teacher encourages them because they make the teaching process to be more effective. 3- The teacher's appreciation of the students during the class through facial expressions motivates the students. 4- The teacher can understand the performance of the students via their facial expressions. 5- The heavy make up by the teacher particularly female teachers have a negative effect on the process of teaching. This situation will distract the students to not be aware of what the teacher says; only paying attention to the face. In fact, there are also female students who do the same and use heavy cosmetics on their face which makes the teacher to have negative opinion about them for spending much of their time on this not on studying. So, both of 11 them especially the teacher should realize the nature and sensitivity of their works. 6- On the other side if the teacher has an angry face all the time the students don't like the lecture, get bored, and even don't want to attend his lecture. 7- If the teacher has a sleepy face the students will feel sleepy with him and get bored, this situation I experienced it myself. I used to have a teacher that we (my classmates) called the lectures of this teacher the lecture of sleeping because he had a sleepy face, and sometimes during the class he was a sleep. 8-Eye Contact http://jobs.wikinut.com/img/sqo0zccngwsxbgr1/MAKE-and-MAINTAIN-eye-contact "The eyes of men are converse as much as their tongue, with the advantage that the ocular dialect needs no dictionary, but is understood the world over" "When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on the language of the first" by Ralph Waldo Emerson Oculesics is the use of eye contact in communication. Eye is one of the most important organs of the human body. The eyes are used for communication as much as that used for sight. It is something natural to see two people look at each other's eyes when they participate in a conversation because the eyes take the role of turn taker. (The role of Nonverbal communication in Beginners’' EFL Classrooms, by Mohamed ELFATIHI, 2005-2006) 12 Miller (1988) stated," The most important and reliable features of the face, the eyes provide a constant channel of communication. They can be shifty and evasive; convey hate, fear, anger, and guilt; or express confidence, love, and support. Studies show that gaze and eye contact can provide information, regulate interaction, express intimacy, exercise social control, and facilitate goals." He further stated, "Teacher can have individual contacts with every student in the classroom through eye contact. Attitudes of intimacy, aloofness, concern or indifference can be inferred by the way a teacher looks or avoids looking at a student. The level of credibility and honesty has been found to be related to the amount of eye contact exhibited by a speaker. Thus, if a teacher has an eye contact with only a selected few alert and interested students, other students might consider this to be biased and favoritism." (Impact of nonverbal communication on students learning outcomes, by: Muhammad Nadeem BUTT, 2011) 9- The Importance of Eye Contact in Teaching http://www.meh.ro/2011/12/01/the-teacher-poses-a-question-and-scans-the-audience/ 13 1- Through the use of the eye contact with the students; the teacher delivers an optimistic message and makes them to be motivated to like the lecture. 2- The teacher can use his eyes as a correction technique with the students so as not to embarrass them, when they make mistakes. 3- The teacher can use the eye contact to save time during the class to make approvals, appreciation and encouragement. 4- The good eye contact doesn't mean to gaze or stair at the students because this makes them uncomfortable and cannot concentrate on the lecture. 5- The eye contact can be used by the teacher to show attention and interest towards the students. 6- The teacher can use his eye contact to provide feedback during the class and to reveal attitudes of the students. 7- It can be used by the teacher to dominate and control the whole class and affects the students. http://techstyle.lmc.gatech.edu/britt-fellow-goes-bibliophile/ 8- Teachers' continuous use of eye contact will make the class to be active and alive. 14 9.Conclusions and Summary This paper studies one of the most important issues of the teaching process, which is the use of the nonverbal communication equally with verbal communication in teaching. Non-verbal communication has many forms but I have chose the most important ones which are facial expressions and eye contact. Eye contact or let's say eye is a part of the face and they complete each other during communication. These two forms are two effective techniques of teaching if the teachers realize how to use them in the class. Teaching is an art, and this art needs skill and power to know how to be a successful artist in your field. The educationalists should realize the significance of the use of facial expressions and eye contact in the process of teaching. They have to open courses to the teachers to make them how to use them during the class. Because this is like a weapon in the hand of the teacher and doesn't need effort or endeavor. In this way, the learning process will be interesting to the students and the teaching process will be more like acting to the teachers. So, the students will have good achievements and each one of them will choose one of their own teachers to be their model. 15 Bibliography Butt, M. N. (2011). Impact of Non-Verbal Communication on Students' Learning Outcomes. Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences & Education, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan. E. Mohamed, (2005-2006). The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Beginners' EFL Classrooms, Sidi Mohamed Benabdellah University, Faculty of Letters and HumanitiesDhar Elmahraz.Fes Gerard I. Nierenberg, Henry H. Calero. (2001). How to Read a Person like a Book. Digital Imagery. G. Theonas, D. Hobbs, D. Rigas. (2007). International Journal of Human and Social Sciences. 2:1 . p.42-49 . Janak Singh Negi, (2009). NELTA. 14 . p. 101-110 . Peng Hong-li, (2011). Us China Foreign Language. 9 . p. 505515. Robert Ledbury, Ian White, Steve Darn. (2004). The Internet TESL. 10. No. 8. Richards, J. Platt, J. Weber, H. (1985). Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics. (1st Ed.) Hong Kong:Longman Group Limited. Trask,R.L. (2007). Language and Linguistics. (2nd Ed.) New York: Routledge. http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/articles/non-verbal-communication 16 http://www.hrepic.com/Teaching/GenEducation/nonverbcom/nonverbcom. htm http://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/m-files/mcommu1.htm http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Darn-EyeContact.html http://www.psychologicalscience.org/teaching/tips/tips_0100.cfm http://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/young-naturalist-awards/winningessays2/2009-winning-essays/facial-expression-and-its-relationship-togesture-in-western-lowland-gorillas 17