TheFunctionsofBodyLanguageinEnglishTeaching

朱麗娟

【Abstract】The functions of the Body Language is significant in the course of English teaching.It not only makes teacher express himself in class and creates an active atmosphere for students to study English， but also stimulates students interest to learn and master English.The most important thing is developing students ability of speaking English or communicating with others in English.

【Key words】Functions ，body language ，English teaching

1.Introduction

Body language is an important media through which people communicate with each other.It refers to the facial expressions， body movements and gestures that people use to express their meanings and feelings in communication.

Teachers poper body language can shorten the gap between teachers and students and create a more harmonious learning atmosphere.In fact，the friedndly body language of teacher can greatly encourage the students' enthusiasm for learning， especially for younger students.In addition， knowledge of the theoretical and abstract features also need to make it concrete and visual by vivid gesture .As a result， studentsinterest is excited and the effect of teaching is greatly improved.

2.The classifications of body language

There are various forms in body language and much content is in it.So teachers are required to analyze and classify it， to put its various forms in order and to master it skillfully and scientifically；thus we can make it more systematic， standard and operational.

First， by body's expressing parts and ways the body language can be divided into：

l） Facial expression：that is to express emotions， feelings， attitudes， etc.by facial expressing；

2） Limb movements：that is to describe things，or to express thoughts， ideas and feelings through the movements of limbs；

3） Body postures： that is， setting moving bodys posture to express feelings or to explain things.

Then， as to the functions， we can roughly classify body language into：

1） Conductive language

It means an order or a command， e.g.： to put the index finger between two lips is to say：“Be quiet，please！”。

2） Emotional language

Facial expressions， which can be used to express emotions like happiness，anger， sadness.

3） Demonstrative language

During the change in movements and expressions and the development in demonstration， the teacher will lead students to express in English more effectively.

4） Evaluating language

We can show our agreement or disagreement， encouragement， disappointment，enjoyment and complaint toward studentsactions by body language.

5） Explaining language

We can use body language to explain the pronunciation，the grammar and the words of English in order to make it simple and clear.Let's take teaching some prepositions as an example-- in：put something inside one hand.

6） Inspiring language

The most important feature of body language is to inspire and motivate students to learn.Teachers can imply， demonstrate， evaluate or explain by using body language.

3.The function of using the body language

3.1 It is necessary and important for teaching young learners English.

Now more and more young learners start to learn English.It is popular for them to learn English when they are still very young.Obviously， if the teacher can use body language well in teaching， it will be likely to lead the children to success in language learning and it will make the lessons a pleasant experience for them.For instance， when we are teaching the children how to say hello when they meet their friends，we can teach them to say “Hello”directly.Meanwhile，with the words we may shake their hands and smile to them.By observing these gestures， they will soon know how to greet when they meet their friends.

3.2 It is necessary and important for classroom English teaching in school.

Body language in teaching is an effective way in terms of language teaching method， which can be proved either in language teaching or language theory or in practice.

English teaching plays an important role in school education.With the reform of the English teaching methods， during the teaching process more and more English teachers have realized to use more communicative English in class.Communicative English also means that teachers guide and explain basic English， and students also need to use English as much as possible in the classroom.However， students speaking English is not very good， because they dont know how to use different tones and expressions at different times and occasions.In addition， their vocabulary and communication skills are limited.These make it difficult to achieve communicative English classes.

According to the student's current level and the actual situation， the body language should need more development and use ， for example， when the teacher gives a instruction： “Please write the word on the blackboard，”If a teacher can stretch the hand to invite students and point to the blackboard ，students will be very easy to understand.

4.The principles of using body language

4.l Use body language in proper sequence to advance it step by step

When using body language， teachers should observe the basic teaching principle and the internal principle in foreign language teaching， especially for novice teachers.

4.2 Use English as much as possible， use Chinese as little as possible and use body language properly

As English teachers， we should use Chinese as little as possible， use body language properly and use English as much as possible in class.

4.3 Pay attention to the differences of language and culture background

when using body language We should be aware of the difference of body language for different culture background because not all body language means the same thing in different countries or areas.

4.4 Combine personal body language and common body language

To teach English effectively and efficiently， it is necessary for us to form a series of personal body language， which may be of a special feature of our own.

5.Conclusion

Finally， we can conclude that the body language is very useful and helpful for our Englis teaching.In the limited classroom time， teachers must take some effective methods to improve teaching efficiency ， particularly the use of body language teaching.The use of body language not only attract the attention of students， but also deepen their impression of what they have learnt.Moreover， teachers should use body language during the whole process of teaching English， so that the ability of students in learning English will be improved .

References：

[1]Cooper， Pamela.Speech Communication for the Classroom Teaching[M].3rd ed.New York：Gorsuch Scarisbrick Publishers. 1988.

[2]Fries， Charles.Teaching and learning English as a Foreign Language[M].New York： Gorsuch Scarisbrick Publishers.1975.

[3]Hall， E.T.The Silent Language[M].Washington：Anchor Books.1977.

[4]Harrison， R.P.Beyond Words： An Introduction to Nonverbal Communication[M].New York： Prentice-Hall.1974.

[5]Malandro，Barker.Nonverbal Communication[M].2nd ed.London： Newbery Award Records.1989.

[6]畢繼萬.跨文化非語言交際[M].北京：外語教學(xué)與研究出版社.2001.