SPOKEN ENGLISH SKILLS AND BODY LANGUAGE

Course – B.Sc.Subject – 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, whatyou do, what your interests are, where you are from, etc.

• Our Self Introduction can create a good first impression onothers.

• 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 ofintroducing or the state ofbeing introduced is calledSelf Introduction.

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

• If we can give an impressiveSelf Introduction, it helps usin our personal andprofessional life.

Master the art of introducing yourself

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

1) For giving a good self introduction, having positive selfimage/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 thatline.

7) You should present yourself as a modest andintellectual person.

8) Learn to be a good listener.

9) Practice and try to start a conversation. Learnto 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 mydear friends.

• Today I am here to tell you about myself. OR Iwould 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 includingme. My father is a farmer. My mother is a housewife. My younger brother is a student.

• My hobby is listening to the music. OR My hobbies arewatching TV and surfing. OR In my free time I like to playgames 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 amlazy / I am emotional.

• My ambition is to do MBA and join a good company/ becomea teacher/journalist.

What is Body Language?

• Body language is a form of mental and physical abilityof human non-verbal communication, consisting ofbody posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eyemovements.

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

• Body language is significant to communication andrelationships.

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

• The study of body movement and expression isknown as Kinesics.

Features of Body Language

• Definition: Body Language - A type ofnonverbal communication that relies on bodymovements to convey messages.

• Body language is a part of nonverballanguage.

• It includes gestures, facial expressions, etc.

• We frequently communicate both bodily andverbally and an estimated 70% of what wecommunicate may be nonverbal.

Body Language Flaws1) Looking at the watch or Checking Nails

• A strong sign ofboredom. Never glance atthe time when you’respeaking withsomeone. Likewise,completely avoid the act ofinspecting 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, mostpeople will assume that you disapprove of their ideas and/orfeel uneasy about giving them an honest opinion. Leave thelint alone!

3) Touching Your Face During a Conversation

• Face touching, especially on the nose, is commonlyinterpreted as an indication of deception. Also, covering upthe mouth is a common gesture people make when they’relying. Always keep your hands away from your face whenyou’re speaking.

4) Looking Down While in the Presence of Others

• Looking down in the presence of others usually indicatesdisinterest. Sometimes it’s even interpreted as a casual signof arrogance. Always look straight ahead and make eyecontact when you see someone you know.

5) Foot or finger tapping

• This usually indicates stress, impatience, or boredom. Monitoryour 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, orpaper. This is a sign of anxiety or nervousness. It can also beinterpreted as a lack of preparedness. Again, it’s always best tokeep your hands comfortably at rest when communicating withothers. When seated, avoid rapid leg-vibration.

7) Avoid hands in your pocket

• We put our hands in our pockets when we’re uncomfortable orunsure of ourselves.

• Instinctually we tend to hide our hands when we’re nervous;keeping your hands out in the open indicates confidence and showspeople 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 makespeople think you are less credible. Not only that, peoplewhose arms are crossed are telling others that they’re closedoff and not open to new ideas or opinions. It can also betraythat you’re uncomfortable with your size or weight: weunconsciously try to cover the things we think aren’t “goodenough”. (Before I got my teeth straightened, I would alwaysput my hand over my mouth when I laughed.) Crossed legstend to indicate a degree of caution or disinterest, which canbe due to various reasons, ranging from feeling threatened, tomildly insecure.

Avoid crossing legs Avoid crossing arms

9) Looking down while walking

• When you’re walking anywhere by yourself, it often feels naturalto lower your head slightly and watch your step, but this posturecommunicates to others that you don’t want to engage inconversation or interact. And if you’re not careful, you might getinto the habit of doing it all the time. Keep your chin up and youreyes forward, when you’re walking.

10) Clasping hands, squeezing hands

• A person who does this is uncomfortable, maybe even nervousor fearful. He’s trying to assure himself, “Everything’s going to bealright.”

Correct Body Language

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

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

3)Make eye contact - If no eye contact is made, thiscan signal deception (cheating/dishonesty) orsuspiciousness. Maintaining good eye contactshows respect and interest in what they have tosay.

4)Sitting or standing upright with relaxedshoulders and arms - This is good assertive bodylanguage. While you are showing powerfulnessthrough standing upright, you are showing youare open to ideas and suggestions with yourrelaxed posture.

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

6) Nod when they are talking - Nod once in awhile to signal that you are listening. Butdon’t overdo it.

7) Don’t touch your face – it might make youseem nervous and can be distracting for thelisteners 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 eachother with just the fingertips touching. This is a display ofconfidence and self-assurance.

3) Hands in the back - This is usually shows some amount ofconfidence.

Knowing Correct Body Language

• Rubbing the palms together - Rubbing thepalms 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 andconfident body language.

• The Raised Steeple - The positionis normally taken when theperson is giving his opinions orideas and is doing the talking.

• The Lowered Steeple - Theposition is normally used whenthe person is listening rather thanspeaking.

•

• 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. Itis a sign of dominance and overconfidence/superiority.

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

• This chin-stroking gesture is the signal that the listener ismaking 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 andnegative 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 selfconfidence. This gesture commonly used by people who standbefore 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 LockPosition 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 thePolitician’s Handshake. The initiator tries to give the receiver theimpression that he is trustworthy and honest, but when thistechnique is used on a person he has just met, it has the reverseeffect. The receiver feels suspicious and cautious about theinitiator’s intentions. The glove should only be used with people towhom the initiator is well-known.

• The glove handshake is typical of public figures and politicians whowant to make an impression of honesty. Duringthis 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 shakehands.

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.

• Doctor: Well! There are chances of building up kidney stones.Water also lubricates our joints. It is also vital (important) fordigestion. We even need water to breathe. Our lungs must bemoist 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 drinkingless water. Proper water intake is a key to weight loss.

• Ram: I will certainly take care doctor.

• Doctor: Remember, lack of water can lead todehydration, a condition that occurs when you don'thave enough water in your body to carry out normalfunctions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energyand make you tired and feel giddy.

• Ram: Yes doctor.

• Doctor: I am giving to medicine for immediate relief butfor future you need to change your habits.

• Ram: Sure doctor, I will. Thank you so much for yourconsultation 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