An investigation into the use of nonverbal communication by teachers in teaching english to the 8th grade classes at nguyen viet xuan junior secondary school in khanh hoa province

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HUE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES PHAM THI THANH THUY AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION BY TEACHERS IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO THE 8th GRADE CLASSES AT NGUYEN VIET XUAN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KHANH HOA PROVINCE MA THESIS IN THEORY AND METHODOLOGY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CODE: 60140111 SUPERVISOR: TON NU NHU HUONG, Ph.D HUE, 2013 i BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO ĐẠI HỌC HUẾ TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ PHẠM THỊ THANH THÚY NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ VIỆC SỬ DỤNG HÌNH THỨC GIAO TIẾP PHI NGƠN NGỮ CỦA GIÁO VIÊN TRONG VIỆC DẠY TIẾNG ANH Ở KHỐI LỚP TẠI TRƯỜNG TRUNG HỌC CƠ SỞ NGUYỄN VIẾT XUÂN, TỈNH KHÁNH HÒA LUẬN VĂN THẠC SĨ LÝ LUẬN VÀ PHƯƠNG PHÁP DẠY HỌC BỘ MÔN TIẾNG ANH MÃ SỐ: 60140111 NGƯỜI HƯỚNG DẪN KHOA HỌC: TS TÔN NỮ NHƯ HƯƠNG HUẾ, 2013 ii STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP I hereby acknowledge that this study is mine The data and findings discussed in the thesis are true and have not been published elsewhere Author Pham Thi Thanh Thuy iii ABSTRACT The research was carried out to investigate the use of nonverbal communication (NVC for short) by teachers in teaching English to the 8th grade classes at Nguyen Viet Xuan Junior Secondary School in Khanh Hoa province In detail, the investigation was done on teachers and 100 students to explore: (1) the teachers‟ perception about their NVC in class, (2) what types of NVC which they often use, (3) how frequently they use them, (4) the suggestions from both teachers and students for the use of NVC by teachers Tools of data collection were Questionnaire, Interview and Observation in which the data coming from Questionnaire was the primary source Some major findings of the research were that (1) all of the teachers acknowledged the importance of NVC in the English teaching and learning process, (2) among five types of NVC (body movements, facial expressions, eye contact, pitch of voice and spatial distance), eye contact and spatial distance are used more often than body movements, facial expressions and pitch of voice, (3) the frequency of the teachers‟ use of NVC types was different, and (4) some suggestions for teachers‟ use of NVC in class From the findings, the research made some implications which are: (1) teachers should be encouraged to be aware of the significant role of NVC in teaching learning process, (2) teachers should be encouraged to use NVC in order to provoke the interest of students and make it easy for students learning in the class, and (3) it is suggested that curriculum planners should also recognize the importance of NVC and make it a part of the teacher education program so that prospective teachers are trained in this important skill iv ACKOWLEDGEMENTS This project would not have come out without the help of many people First of all, I wish to express my deep gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Ton Nu Nhu Huong, for her great enthusiasm and expert guidance at every stage of the development of this study She has been a rich source of knowledge, and her feedback has been of great value, helping my project be improved and completed I would like to thank Ms Tran Quang Ngoc Thuy who was the examiner of my thesis Her comments and suggestions are very helpful for my research I wish to thank the teachers and grade 8th students at Nguyen Viet Xuan junior secondary school in Khanh Hoa province who participated in this study Especially, my warm thank goes to Mr Phan Thanh Chung, the headmaster of the school, because of his enthusiastic help and agreement for my data collection Last but not least, I am deeply grateful to my family who always encourage me during the hardest time v TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages SUB COVER PAGE i STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP iii ABSTRACT iv ACKOWLEDGEMENTS .v TABLE OF CONTENTS vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS x LIST OF FIGURES xi LIST OF TABLES xii CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION 1.1.Rationale of the study 1.2.Objectives of the research 1.3.Significance of the research 1.4.Delimitation of the research 1.5.Brief outline of the thesis .3 CHAPTER - LITERATURE REVIEW .4 2.1.Definition of Nonverbal communication 2.2.Types of Nonverbal communication 2.3.Functions of nonverbal communication .7 2.4.Importance of Nonverbal communication 10 2.5.Related studies 12 2.6.Summary 15 CHAPTER 3- METHODOLOGY 16 3.1.Participants of the study .16 3.1.1.Questionnaire participants 16 3.1.2.Interview participants 17 3.1.3.Observation participants .17 3.2.Data collection 17 vi 3.2.1.Questionnaires .17 3.2.2.Interviews 21 3.2.3.Observation 22 3.3.Data collection procedure 22 3.4.Data analysis .23 3.5.Summary 23 CHAPTER 4- FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 24 4.1.Findings and discussion of the data collected from teachers .24 4.1.1.Teachers‟ perception about their own NVC 24 4.1.1.1.Types of NVC EFL teachers should pay attention to in their English teaching .24 4.1.1.2.Level of importance of NVC in English teaching learning process .26 4.1.2.Types of NVC teachers often use in class 27 4.1.3.Frequency of teachers‟ use of NVC types 29 4.1.3.1.Body movements 29 4.1.3.2.Facial expressions 30 4.1.3.3.Eye contact .31 4.1.3.4.Pitch of voice 33 4.1.3.5.Spatial distance 34 4.1.4.Suggestions for teachers‟ use of NVC in class 35 4.1.4.1.Positive impacts of teachers‟ NVC on students .35 4.1.4.1.1.Using hands, shoulder and head to make the lesson more interesting and informative for students 35 4.1.4.1.2.Using facial expressions to help students take part in the lesson 37 4.1.4.1.3.Looking at students when they are involved in a task or talking with classmates to help them 38 vii 4.1.4.1.4.Using either falling or raising intonation to attract students‟ attention to the lesson 39 4.1.4.1.5.Keeping a proper distance with students to make them feel comfortable and confident .40 4.1.4.1.6.The distance between students and the teacher in which the students feel comfortable and easy learning 41 4.1.4.2.Negative impacts of teachers‟ NVC on students .42 4.1.4.2.1.Causing loss of interest and motivation among students if teachers sit in chair during their teaching time 42 4.1.4.2.2.Causing loss of impartialness among students if teachers make eye contact only with talented students 43 4.2.Findings and discussion of the data collected from students .43 4.2.1.Suggestions for teachers‟ use of NVC in class 44 4.2.1.1.Positive impacts of teachers‟ NVC on students .44 4.2.1.1.1.Using hands, shoulder and head to make the lesson more interesting and informative 44 4.2.1.1.2.Using facial expressions to help students take part in the lesson 45 4.2.1.1.3.Using either falling or raising intonation to attract students‟ attention to the lesson 47 4.2.1.1.4.Keeping a proper distance with students to make them feel comfortable and confident .49 4.2.1.1.5.The distance between students and the teacher in which the students feel comfortable and easy learning 50 4.2.1.2.Negative impacts of teachers‟ NVC on students 51 4.2.1.2.1.Causing loss of interest and motivation among students if teachers sit in chair during their teaching time 51 viii 4.2.1.2.2.Causing loss of confidence and attentiveness among students if teachers look at the students when they are involved in a task or talking with classmates 52 4.2.1.2.3.Causing loss of impartialness among students if teachers make eye contact only with talented students 54 4.3.Summary 55 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION .57 5.1.Restatement of rationale of the study 57 5.2.Summary of the findings 57 5.3.Contributions of the study 59 5.3.1.Nonverbal communication studies 59 5.3.2.The use of nonverbal communication in English teaching classes .59 5.4.Limitations of the study 59 5.5.Implications 59 5.5.1.Teachers and Nonverbal communication 59 5.5.2.Nonverbal communication and curriculum design .60 5.6.Suggestions for further study 60 REFERENCES 62 APPENDICES 65 ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS EFL English as a foreign language ELT English language teaching NVC Nonverbal communication x ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Why you think so? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Facial expressions: How frequently you use facial expressions when you teach? A Never B Rarely, in less than 10% of the chances when I could have C Occasionally, in about 30% of the chances when I could have D Sometimes, in about 50% of the chances when I could have E Frequently, in about 70% of the chances when I could have F Usually, in about 90% of the chances I could have G Every time I think the teacher should hold a …………… during teaching to help students take part in the lesson A smiling face B blank face C straight face Other opinions: ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… 10 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of facial expressions in class? (please be specific) ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… 71 ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Why you think so? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Eye contact: 11 How frequently you use eye contact with your students when you teach? A Never B Rarely, in less than 10% of the chances when I could have C Occasionally, in about 30% of the chances when I could have D Sometimes, in about 50% of the chances when I could have E Frequently, in about 70% of the chances when I could have F Usually, in about 90% of the chances I could have G Every time 12 Do you think the teacher should make eye contact only with the talented students? A Yes B No Why? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Do you think the teacher should look at the student when (s)he is involved in a task or talking with her/his classmates? A Yes B No Why? 72 ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… 14 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of eye contact in class? (please be specific) ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Why you think so? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… Pitch of voice: 15 How frequently you use pitch of voice to enhance the contents when you teach? A Never B Rarely, in less than 10% of the chances when I could have C Occasionally, in about 30% of the chances when I could have D Sometimes, in about 50% of the chances when I could have E Frequently, in about 70% of the chances when I could have F Usually, in about 90% of the chances I could have G Every time 16 To attract the students‟ attention to the lesson, the teacher should have either falling or raising intonation A Strongly agree B Agree C Un-decided D Disagree 73 E Strongly disagree 17 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of pitch of voice in class? (please be specific) ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… Why you think so? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… Spatial distance: 18 How frequently you use spatial distance to help enhance your teaching? A Never B Rarely, in less than 10% of the chances when I could have C Occasionally, in about 30% of the chances when I could have D Sometimes, in about 50% of the chances when I could have E Frequently, in about 70% of the chances when I could have F Usually, in about 90% of the chances I could have G Every time 19 I think the teacher should keep a ………… from students in the classroom in order that they feel comfortable and confident A close distance B far distance C proper distance Other opinions: ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 74 ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 20 In the classroom, the teacher should keep ………… meter(s) from the students in order that they feel comfortable and at ease in learning the lesson 21 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of spatial distance in class? (please be specific) ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… Why you think so? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION! In case of any query, information or suggestions, please contact the researcher on email address: thuy132@gmail.com 75 APPENDIX 2B QUESTIONNAIRE (For Students) This questionnaire is designed to collect data for my M.A thesis namely “ An Investigation into the Use of Nonverbal Communication by Teachers in Teaching English to the 8th Grade Classes at Nguyen Viet Xuan Junior Secondary School in Khanh Hoa Province.” All the answers you give are used for this thesis only, not for any other purposes This questionnaire is also not meant to reflect the effectiveness of any students Personal identifications of the respondents will be kept confidential Therefore, please feel free to answer the questions Your cooperation is highly appreciated Part-I Personal Information Name (optional): ……………………………………… Gender: male ( ) female ( ) Class (optional): ………… Part II The teachers’ use of Non-Verbal Communication in the class Please read the following questions carefully and answer each of them Your honest and specific answer will help to contribute accuracy to the analysis To answer the questions, please circle the capital letter (A, B, C, D or E) that indicates the option you choose and give your explanation if the question requires If there is no option right to yourself, please give your other opinion Some questions might have more than one answer And also in some questions, you are required to write down the answer in your own words 76 Note that: - The definition of nonverbal communication: Nonverbal communication is “silent” communication, including the use of gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and conversational distance (Levine et al, 1993) Nonverbal communication is [that] form of communication that does not include words It is composed of messages that are expressed by nonlinguistic means Indeed, it is the actions or attributes of humans, including their use of objects or sounds, time and space, that have socially shared significance and stimulate meaning in others (Gramble et al, 1998) - Some types of nonverbal communication FACIAL EXPRESSION BODY MOVEMENTS EYE CONTACT PITCH OF VOICE SPATIAL DISTANCE 77 What type(s) of nonverbal communication does your teacher often use in class? (You can choose more than one option.) A Body movements B Facial expressions C Eye contact D Tone of voice E Spatial distance (between teacher and students) Other opinions: (please be brief) ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… Body movement: In my opinion, my teacher‟s use of body movement in the class is ………… A poor B fair C good D very good E excellent What you like or dislike about your teachers‟ body movement in the class? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… To make the lesson more interesting and informative, the teacher should use his/her hands, shoulder, and head sometimes F Strongly agree G Agree H Un-decided 78 I Disagree J Strongly disagree Do you think the teacher should sit in the chair during the teaching process? C Yes D No Why? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of body movement in the class? (please be specific) ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… Facial expression: In my opinion, my teacher‟s use of facial expression in the class is ………… A B C D E poor fair good very good excellent What you like or dislike about your teachers‟ facial expression in the class? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 79 ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… I think the teacher should hold a …………… during teaching to help students take part in the lesson D smiling face E blank face F straight face Other opinions: ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 10 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of facial expression in the class? (please be specific) ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… Eye contact: 11 In my opinion, my teacher‟s use of eye contact in the class is ……………… A poor B fair C good D very good E excellent 80 12 What you like or dislike about your teachers‟ eye contact in the class? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Do you think the teacher should make eye contact only with the talented students? C Yes D No Why? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 14 Do you like the teacher to look at you when you are involved in a task or talking with your classmates? C Yes D No Why? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 15 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of eye contact in the class? (please be specific) ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 81 Pitch of voice: 16 In my opinion, my teacher‟s use of pitch of voice in the class is …………… A poor B fair C good D very good E excellent 17 What you like or dislike about your teachers‟ of pitch of voice in the class? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 18 To attract the students‟ attention to the lesson, the teacher should have either falling or raising intonation F Strongly agree G Agree H Un-decided I Disagree J Strongly disagree 19 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of eye contact in the class? (please be specific) ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 82 Spatial distance: 20 In my opinion, my teacher‟s use of spatial distance in the class is …………… A poor B fair C good D very good E excellent 21 What you like or dislike about your teachers‟ of spatial distance in the class? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 22 I think the teacher should keep a ………… from students in the classroom in order that they feel comfortable and confident D close distance E far distance F proper distance Other opinions: ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 23 In the classroom, the teacher should keep ………… meter(s) from me in order that I feel comfortable and at ease in learning the lesson 24 What are other suggestions from you for the teachers‟ use of spatial distance in the class? (please be clear) 83 ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION! In case of any query, information or suggestions, please contact the researcher on email address: thuy132@gmail.com 84 6-7,13-14,16-18,24,27-28,34,40,43,49,59,69,74-76 85