Some say that two-thirds of our communication is nonverbal. That means every head tilt, smile, frown, or pacing sends non-verbal cues to your students.
Positive body language in a classroom can motivate, inspire, and engage. It can not only give you the confidence you need to teach but can also reassure your students that you know what you’re talking about.
Be aware of your body language
As a trainer, you must be conscious of your nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, facial expressions, posture, and gestures, and how learners can perceive them. Good eye contact can establish trust and credibility, but it can also be seen as disrespectful and aggressive. It all depends on the culture you are training in. Western culture loves eye contact; other cultures do not.
Posture matters. When you stand in front of a room with poor posture or crossed arms, the message your learners may receive is that you don’t have confidence.
Pay attention to learners’ nonverbal cues
It is also essential to pay attention to the nonverbal cues of the learners, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. By observing these cues, you can adjust your delivery and body language to better connect with learners, address their concerns or confusion, and build rapport.
Use body language intentionally
Use gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice to emphasize key points, convey emotions, and make the training more engaging. For instance, hand gestures can be used to demonstrate a concept, while varying the tone of your voice can add emphasis to important points.
Use space effectively
Pay attention to your location in the training room, and use movement to keep learners engaged and convey your message. Moving around the training space can help keep learners engaged and focused, while standing in a specific position can emphasize a point.
Be mindful of cultural and social differences
Cultural and social differences can influence how learners perceive body language. It is essential to be aware of these differences and adjust your body language to ensure learners feel comfortable and respected. For example, some cultures may have different norms for eye contact, personal space, and physical touch.
Incorporating effective body language into training delivery can be a powerful tool for enhancing learners’ engagement and understanding. By being mindful of one’s nonverbal cues and how they may be perceived, responding to learners’ nonverbal cues, using intentional body language to emphasize key points, using space effectively, and being sensitive to cultural differences, trainers can effectively connect with their audience and make training sessions more engaging and effective. By implementing these techniques, trainers can help learners better absorb and retain the training content, ultimately leading to more successful learning outcomes.
To learn more about Body Language, check out “The Definitive Book of Body Language” by Allan & Barbara Pease.