Lesson Plan: Listening and Talking - Exploring Non-Verbal Techniques

Subject: Languages (Scottish Curriculum) Level: Second Level

Desired Outcome: I explore how gesture, expression, and emphasis are used to help understanding. I can listen and respond to familiar voices in short, predictable conversations using straightforward language and non-verbal techniques as appropriate, such as gesture and eye contact.

Focus: Propose rules

Time: 60 minutes

Resources: - Whiteboard or flipchart - Markers - Pictures or flashcards depicting different emotions and gestures - Audio recordings or videos of short, predictable conversations - Worksheet with conversation prompts

Introduction (10 minutes): 1. Begin the lesson by discussing the importance of non-verbal communication in understanding conversations. 2. Show pictures or flashcards depicting different emotions and gestures. Ask students to identify the emotions and gestures and discuss their meanings. 3. Explain that in today’s lesson, they will explore how non-verbal techniques, such as gesture, expression, and emphasis, can help in understanding conversations. 4. Share the desired outcome with the students and explain that they will be listening to short, predictable conversations and responding using straightforward language and non-verbal techniques.

Main Activities (40 minutes):

Activity 1: Understanding Non-Verbal Techniques (15 minutes): 1. Play an audio recording or show a video of a short, predictable conversation between two people. 2. Ask students to listen carefully and observe the non-verbal techniques used by the speakers, such as gestures, facial expressions, and emphasis. 3. Discuss as a class what non-verbal techniques were used and how they helped in understanding the conversation. 4. Provide examples of non-verbal techniques used in the conversation and ask students to explain their meanings.

Activity 2: Applying Non-Verbal Techniques (20 minutes): 1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. 2. Distribute the worksheet with conversation prompts to each group. 3. Instruct students to take turns being the speaker and the listener. 4. The speaker will choose a conversation prompt and use straightforward language to initiate a short conversation with their partner. 5. The listener should actively listen and respond using both verbal and non-verbal techniques, such as gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. 6. After each conversation, encourage students to reflect on how the non-verbal techniques used by the listener helped in understanding the speaker’s message. 7. Rotate roles and repeat the process until each student has had a chance to be both the speaker and the listener.

Conclusion (10 minutes): 1. Bring the class back together and have a brief discussion about the importance of non-verbal techniques in communication. 2. Recap the main non-verbal techniques explored during the lesson, such as gestures, expression, and emphasis. 3. Ask students to share any challenges they faced while using non-verbal techniques and how they overcame them. 4. Summarize the desired outcome and remind students of their progress in exploring and using non-verbal techniques to enhance understanding in conversations.

Extension Activity (Optional): 1. Encourage students to practice using non-verbal techniques in their daily conversations outside the classroom. 2. Ask them to observe and reflect on how non-verbal techniques are used by others in different situations. 3. In a subsequent lesson, students can share their observations and experiences with the class.

Assessment: - Observe students’ active participation during the activities, noting their use of non-verbal techniques. - Review completed worksheets to assess students’ understanding and application of non-verbal techniques in conversations. - Provide feedback and guidance to students individually or as a class, highlighting areas for improvement and reinforcing successful use of non-verbal techniques.