SPOKEN ENGLISH SKILLS AND BODY LANGUAGE

Course – BCASubject – English Communication and Life Skills

Unit – V

Meaning of Self Introduction

• Self Introduction means when we tell people about ourselves. • Self-introduction is when you tell people who you are, what

you do, what your interests are, where you are from, etc.• Our Self Introduction can create a good first impression on

others. • Self Introduction is telling about yourself to an audience,

interviewer, reader, etc.• It is a formal presentation of one person to another or others.

• Definition: The act of introducing or the state of being introduced is called Self Introduction.

• Self Introduction is essential (important) in business, academic and social world.

• If we can give an impressive Self Introduction, it helps us in our personal and professional life.

Master the art of introducing yourself

• By keeping the below given points in mind, we can master the art of introducing ourselves:

1) For giving a good self introduction, having positive self image/concept is essential.

2) We should be confident.3) We should understand that there is nothing to be scared about.4) Greeting should be friendly and polite.5) Self Introduction should be brief; unless we are asked to

elaborate. 6) Remember the line between confidence and over confidence,

friendly and over friendly, never cross that line.

7) You should present yourself as a modest and intellectual person.

8) Learn to be a good listener.9) Practice and try to start a conversation. Learn

to break the ice smartly.10)Speak clearly.

Self Introduction for classroom

• Read aloud:• Specimen:

My name is Priyanka Patel. I come from Mehsana. OR I am from Mehsana. OR I belong to Mehsana.There are four members in my family, my parents and my younger/elder brother/sister.I have completed HSC from C.N. Vidyalaya with 70%. I am pursuing BBA, I am in the first year, Semester I.My ambition is to become a an engineer/lecturer, etc.

Self Introduction in a speech

• Greeting: • Good morning/afternoon sir/ma’am, and all my dear

friends.• Today I am here to tell you about myself. OR I would like to

introduce myself. • My name is Pooja Patel. • I come from Mehsana. OR I am from Mehsana. OR I belong

to Mehsana.• There are four members in my family including me. My

father is a farmer. My mother is a house wife. My younger brother is a student.

• My hobby is listening to the music. OR My hobbies are watching TV and surfing. OR In my free time I like to play games on the computer.

• My strength is my family/ I am good at drawing/ hardworking. • My weakness is my health/ I cannot speak fluent English/ I am

lazy / I am emotional.• My ambition is to do MBA and join a good company/ become

a teacher/journalist.

What is Body Language?

• Body language is a form of mental and physical ability of human non-verbal communication, consisting of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements.

• Body language may provide clues (hints) as to the attitude or state of mind of a person. For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, relaxed state, etc.

• Body language is significant to communication and relationships.

• Physical expressions like waving, pointing, touching and slouching are all forms of nonverbal communication.

• The study of body movement and expression is known as Kinesics.

Features of Body Language

• Definition: Body Language - A type of nonverbal communication that relies on body movements to convey messages.

• Body language is a part of nonverbal language. • It includes gestures, facial expressions, etc. • We frequently communicate both bodily and

verbally and an estimated 70% of what we communicate may be nonverbal.

Body Language Flaws1) Looking at the watch or Checking Nails• A strong sign of boredom.

Never glance at the time when you’re speaking with someone. Likewise, completely avoid the act of inspecting your fingernails.

2) Picking lint off of your clothes• If you pick lint off of your clothes during a conversation,

especially in conjunction with looking downwards, most people will assume that you disapprove of their ideas and/or feel uneasy about giving them an honest opinion. Leave the lint alone!

3) Touching Your Face During a Conversation • Face touching, especially on the nose, is commonly

interpreted as an indication of deception. Also, covering up the mouth is a common gesture people make when they’re lying. Always keep your hands away from your face when you’re speaking.

4) Looking Down While in the Presence of Others• Looking down in the presence of others usually indicates

disinterest. Sometimes it’s even interpreted as a casual sign of arrogance. Always look straight ahead and make eye contact when you see someone you know.

5) Foot or finger tapping• This usually indicates stress, impatience, or boredom. Monitor

your habits and practice keeping your limbs at rest.

6) Fidgeting with small objects• Fidgeting is a clear sign of nervousness. Such as a pen, paper

ball, or paper. This is a sign of anxiety or nervousness. It can also be interpreted as a lack of preparedness. Again, it’s always best to keep your hands comfortably at rest when communicating with others. When seated, avoid rapid leg-vibration.

7) Avoid hands in your pocket• We put our hands in our pockets when we’re uncomfortable or

unsure of ourselves.• Instinctually we tend to hide our hands when we’re nervous;

keeping your hands out in the open indicates confidence and shows people you have nothing to hide.

Avoid nail biting and fidgeting Avoid hands in pockets

8) Crossing arms, legs and feet• We should never cross our arms, legs and feet. It makes

people think you are less credible. Not only that, people whose arms are crossed are telling others that they’re closed off and not open to new ideas or opinions. It can also betray that you’re uncomfortable with your size or weight: we unconsciously try to cover the things we think aren’t “good enough”. (Before I got my teeth straightened, I would always put my hand over my mouth when I laughed.) Crossed legs tend to indicate a degree of caution or disinterest, which can be due to various reasons, ranging from feeling threatened, to mildly insecure.

Avoid crossing legs Avoid crossing arms

9) Looking down while walking• When you’re walking anywhere by yourself, it often feels natural

to lower your head slightly and watch your step, but this posture communicates to others that you don’t want to engage in conversation or interact. And if you’re not careful, you might get into the habit of doing it all the time. Keep your chin up and your eyes forward, when you’re walking.

10) Clasping hands, squeezing hands• A person who does this is uncomfortable, maybe even nervous

or fearful. He’s trying to assure himself, “Everything’s going to be alright.”

Correct Body Language

1) Relaxed hands with open palms - This is often associated with sincerity and openness.

2) Leaning forward slightly - This communicates interest in what others have to say.

3) Make eye contact - If no eye contact is made, this can signal deception (cheating/dishonesty) or suspiciousness. Maintaining good eye contact shows respect and interest in what they have to say.

4) Sitting or standing upright with relaxed shoulders and arms - This is good assertive body language. While you are showing powerfulness through standing upright, you are showing you are open to ideas and suggestions with your relaxed posture.

5) Keep your arms out to the side of your body - This shows you are not scared to take on whatever comes your way and you meet things openly.

6) Nod when they are talking - Nod once in a while to signal that you are listening. But don’t overdo it.

7) Don’t touch your face – it might make you seem nervous and can be distracting for the listeners or the people in the conversation.

Guidance for Body Language while Speaking

1) Empty your hands - Put down anything you’re holding, whether it be a pen, a book or your notes.

2) Keep your hands free – Let your hands be at your sides. Never in your pocket.

3) Steepling – Steepling is what you call palms that face each other with just the fingertips touching. This is a display of confidence and self-assurance.

4) Hands in the back - This is usually shows some amount of confidence.

Knowing Correct Body Language

• Rubbing the palms together - Rubbing the palms together is a way in which people non-verbally communicate positive expectation.

• Hands clenched together

• This is a negative gesture, signaling frustration.

Steepling – Raised and Lowered

• This is a sign of positive and confident body language.

• The Raised Steeple - The position is normally taken when the person is giving his opinions or ideas and is doing the talking.

• The Lowered Steeple - The position is normally used when the person is listening rather than speaking.

• Superiority/Confidence Gesture - This is a sign of confidence and superiority.

• The hand gripping wrist gesture – This is a sign of frustration and attempt to self control.

• The upper arm grip – This is a negative sign of anger and self control.

• Thumb Display – This is a negative gesture. It is a sign of dominance and over confidence/superiority.

• When the index finger points vertically up the cheek and the thumb supports the chin, the listener is having negative or critical thoughts about the speaker or his subject.

• This chin-stroking gesture is the signal that the listener is making a decision or thinking or evaluating.

Standard arm cross gesture Fist showing hostile attitude

This is a negative sign showing defensive and negative attitude.

Clenched fists indicate hostile and negative attitude. It is also called as ‘Attacking Attitude’

• Partial Arm Cross Barrier –

• It tells that we are fearful. It is also a sign of lack of self confidence. This gesture commonly used by people who stand before a crowd to receive an award or give a speech.

• The American 4 Leg Lock Position

• This leg cross indicates argumentative or competitive attitude. • It is normally seen in men who have a competitive nature.• Using one or both hands, as a clamp on leg in American 4 Leg Lock

Position is a sign of a tough minded and stubborn person.

Standing Leg Cross Gestures

Crossed leg – standing position is a negative body language sign of closed mind.Open Leg – standing position is a positive sign of body language of open mind.

Shaking Hands

• Glove Handshake - The glove handshake is also called the Politician’s Handshake. The initiator tries to give the receiver the impression that he is trustworthy and honest, but when this technique is used on a person he has just met, it has the reverse effect. The receiver feels suspicious and cautious about the initiator’s intentions. The glove should only be used with people to whom the initiator is well-known.

• The glove handshake is typical of public figures and politicians who want to make an impression of honesty. During this handshake, one person covers the other person's hand.

Do’s and Don’t of Body Language

Do’s Don’t

1) Maintain straight body posture while sitting and standing.

Don’t lean forward or backward.

2) Maintain eye-contact confidently. Don’t look away or down when in a conversation.

3) Sit with open feet and relaxed shoulders. Don’t cross your legs and sit.

4) Keep your hands to yourself. Keeping your fist under your chin shows confidence.

Don’t keep your hands in your pockets or pointing or make hand movements while talking.

5) Keep your hands loose down or at your side.

Don’t cross your hands.

6) Have control on yourself. Don’t fidget with something or the other.

Do’s Don’t

7) It is natural to pause when you speak. Don’t fill the air with umm, aah, and you know.

8) Lift your feet while walking. Don’t drag your feet while walking.

9) Your handshake should be firm. Maintain eye contact when you shake hands.

Don’t keep your hand loose when you shake hands. Lack of eye contact shows lack of confidence.

10) Keeping ankles side by side shows confidence.

Don’t keep your ankles crossed, it is a negative sign.

General Conversations in English

• Conversation between two friends:• Richa: Hi Geetika, how are you?• Geetika: Hello Richa, I am fine, thank you, how about you?• Richa: I am not well. • Geetika: What happened dear?• Richa: Cold and cough. I have got a headache too.• Geetika: Oh that’s sad, did you see the doctor?• Richa: Yes, I am taking medicines too.• Geetika: Good, take rest, get well soon.• Richa: Sure, thank you dear.

• Conversation between two class mates:• Mohan: Good morning Jimit, how are you this morning?• Jimit: I am fit as a fiddle Mohan, how are you?• Mohan: I am fine. Have you completed yesterday’s homework?• Jimit: Partly, little bit is left. I have some doubts.• Mohan: Oh okay. Let me know if you need help. I have done the

homework.• Jimit: Sure. How is everyone at home?• Mohan: Everyone is fine. How are your parents?• Jimit: They are fine too. All the best for the new semester dear.• Mohan: Thanks dear and wish you the same.• Jimit: Thanks, see you later.

• Conversation between a teacher and a student:• Teacher: Where is Krishna today?• Ram: She is absent ma’am. • Teacher: Why is she absent?• Ram: She had gone for her sister’s wedding in Palanpur.• Teacher: Okay. So are you all ready for the test?• Ram: Yes ma’am.• Teacher: Have you all completed writing notes?• Ram: Yes ma’am, we are all through.• Teacher: That’s nice. Submit your notes for checking tomorrow.• Ram: Sure ma’am.

• Conversation between doctor and patient:• Ram: Good morning doctor, I am not well.• Doctor: Come and sit here.• Ram: Doctor, I feel giddy. I don’t feel like eating at all.• Doctor: Since how long you are feeling so?• Ram: Since day before yesterday.• Doctor: Do you take a lot of water?• Ram: No doctor, not much.• Doctor: That’s not good. On an average every individual should

drink minimum 8 glasses of water in a day.• Ram: What happens if we don’t drink that much doctor?

• Doctor: Well! There are chances of building up kidney stones. Water also lubricates our joints. It is also vital (important) for digestion. We even need water to breathe. Our lungs must be moist to take in Oxygen and give out Carbon Dioxide.

• Ram: Oh! I didn’t know this doctor.• Doctor: Many people incur (gain) excess body fat by drinking

less water. Proper water intake is a key to weight loss.• Ram: I will certainly take care doctor.

• Doctor: Remember, lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired and feel giddy.

• Ram: Yes doctor. • Doctor: I am giving to medicine for immediate relief but

for future you need to change your habits.• Ram: Sure doctor, I will. Thank you so much for your

consultation and advice.

• Telephonic Conversation: • Vijaya: Hello, Can I speak to Maya?• Pooja: Maya isn’t here right now, may I know who is calling?• Vijaya: My name is Vijaya. I am Maya’s class mate.• Pooja: Okay, my name is Pooja, I am Maya’s room mate. • Vijaya: When will she be back?• Pooja: In a while. Can I take a message?• Vijaya: No it’s okay, I will (I’ll) call back later. Thanks.• Pooja: You are welcome dear. Bye.• Vijaya: Bye.

Recourses/References • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_languag • www.slideshare.com• www.powershow.com