18. Debate on Non-Verbal Communication in Business Negotiations

Lesson Focus

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This lesson focuses on experiential learning. Students explore non-verbal communication through play, performance, and reflection, without debates or formal argumentation. The emphasis is on awareness, control, and purposeful use of non-verbal elements while speaking.

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Objectives

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By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand the importance of non-verbal communication in spoken interaction
• Become more aware of their own body language, gestures, and voice
• Practice controlling pace, emphasis, posture, and facial expressions
• Build confidence in public speaking situations
• Reflect on how non-verbal elements influence message effectiveness

1. Warm-up Game: Pantomime Challenge (25 minutes)

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Activity Description: Students are divided into two teams. One student at a time comes to the front, draws a word card, and explains the word to their team using only pantomime (no speaking, no writing, no sounds).

• Each correct guess = 1 point
• Time limit per word: 60 seconds
• Teams take turns

Teacher Role:

• Explain rules clearly
• Keep time and score
• Briefly discuss after the game:
  
  • What made some explanations clearer than others?
  • Which gestures or expressions worked best?

Focus: Awareness of body language and expressiveness

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2. Input & Transition: What Makes a Speech Effective? (10 minutes)

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• Short teacher-led discussion:
  
  • Verbal vs. non-verbal communication
  • Key non-verbal elements:
    
    • Eye contact
    • Gestures
    • Facial expressions
    • Posture
    • Pace and pauses
    • Emphasis and tone
• Explain that students will now practice speaking with a non-verbal focus

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3. Speaking Practice: Non-verbal Speech Challenges (45 minutes)

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Activity Description: Students deliver short speeches (1–2 minutes) on a simple topic (e.g. My favourite place, A product everyone should try, An important life skill).

Each speaker draws one non-verbal task card and must complete the task while speaking.

Process:

• 1–2 students speak at a time
• Audience observes and guesses the task
• Short feedback after each speech

Focus: Conscious use of non-verbal communication while speaking

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4. Reflection & Wrap-up (10 minutes)

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• Whole-class reflection:
  
  • Which non-verbal task was most difficult?
  • What did you become more aware of while speaking?
  • How can this help in school, work, or everyday life?
• Optional written reflection:
  
  • One strength in my non-verbal communication
  • One thing I want to improve

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Assessment (Formative)

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• Active participation in activities
• Willingness to speak and perform tasks
• Quality of reflection and peer feedback

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Tips for Teachers

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• Keep speeches short to reduce anxiety
• Model one example speech if needed
• Emphasise experimentation, not perfection
• Create a supportive and playful atmosphere

APPENDIX 1: Pantomime Word Cards

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(Cut out and shuffle)

• Negotiation
• Agreement
• Conflict
• Confidence
• Leadership
• Stress
• Success
• Failure
• Teamwork
• Persuasion
• Presentation
• Interview
• Deadline
• Promotion
• Responsibility

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APPENDIX 2: Non-verbal Speaking Task Cards

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(Each speaker draws one card)

1. Speak very slowly, using long pauses for emphasis
2. Speak very fast, but stay clear and understandable
3. Use strong hand gestures to highlight key points
4. Keep eye contact with at least three different people
5. Change your facial expression to match your message
6. Use one step forward when making an important point
7. Speak with very calm body language, no big movements
8. Overuse gestures on purpose – then control them again
9. Emphasise one key word in every sentence
10. Start very quietly and gradually increase your volume

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