Gestures
Gestures, posture and space relationship are some of the types of body language to be aware of . Gestures can be used purposefully to emphasize meaning. Fidgeting shows boredom and restlessness. Pressing fingers together to form a steeple shows interests, assertiveness and determination. Touching the nose or rubbing eyes indicates discomfort, or it may even be a signal that one's character is not being completely honest. A hand to the back of the neck may indicate withdrawal from a conversation.
Hands gestures are also very expressive. Open gestures tend to make us appear open and honest. By pointing our fingers, or moving our hands closer together, we can draw emphasis to what we are saying. Used in moderation, hand gestures can make us seem enthusiastic and committed to our topic. Making too many gestures can make us appear nervous and uncontrolled. Wringing our hands or touching our sleeves, face, etc. can make us appear tense, nervous, and sometimes dishonest.
If teachers fail to gesture while speaking, they may be perceived as boring, stiff and unanimated. A lively and animated teaching style captures students' attention, makes the material more interesting, facilitates learning and provides a bit of entertainment. Head nods, a form of gestures, communicate positive reinforcement to students and indicate that the teacher is listening.
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