Describe a situation that you were involved in that involved miscommunication.

During a group project in class, I thought we had to present on Friday, but the actual presentation
was on Wednesday. I didn’t finish my part of the work on time because I was planning to use the
extra two days. This messed up the group’s plans and we had to scramble to get everything done
last minute. It was super stressful for everyone involved.
How did the people involved feel?
The group was annoyed and stressed because we didn’t have as much time to prepare as we
thought. I felt really bad and embarrassed because it was my fault we were behind. Even though
they were upset, my group helped me fix the problem so we could still do okay.
What might have been some causes of the miscommunication?
The main issue was that we didn’t clearly talk about the deadline as a group. I just assumed it
was Friday without double-checking with anyone. It didn’t help that we weren’t super organized,
and everyone had different ideas about what was happening.
Do you agree with the feedback provided by your conversation partner?
Yes, I agree with the feedback. It reflects the effort I made to actively listen and show that I
valued what the other person was saying. I’m glad my body language and responses made the
conversation feel smooth and respectful.
How can you improve on your listening behaviours?

I could improve by asking more specific follow-up questions to deepen the discussion.
Sometimes, I rely on basic affirmations instead of fully exploring the speaker’s points.
Additionally, I might start taking brief written notes during longer conversations to ensure I
don’t forget any important details.

Non-Verbal Cues Checklist

Facial Expression:

• Curious and interested: The character-maintained eye contact and raised their eyebrows
slightly when listening.
• Relaxed: They had a calm expression with no visible tension on their faces.
• “Best-friend face”: They smiled warmly and nodded to encourage the other person.

Posture:

• Leaning/sitting toward the conversation partner: The character leaned slightly forward
when the other person was speaking.
 • Standing/sitting still: They remained steady and did not fidget, which showed they were
focused.
• Keeping arms uncrossed: Their arms rested casually on the table, signaling openness.

Gesture:

• Attentive gestures: They nodded occasionally and tilted their head slightly to show they
were engaged.

Proximity:

• Comfortable with physical distance: The characters were seated at a comfortable

distance, close enough to talk but not invading personal space.

Additional Examples of Open and Closed Body Language:

• Open: They frequently smiled and maintained a calm, inviting posture.

• Closed: There was a moment where they looked away and crossed their arms, suggesting
slight hesitation or discomfort during a tough part of the conversation.

Which non-verbal cues impacted communication in the clip you watched?

The character's facial expressions and posture had the most impact on the communication. Their
warm and interested expressions, paired with their leaning posture and nodding, made the
conversation feel engaging and comfortable. However, the moment they crossed their arms and
broke eye contact briefly shifted the tone, creating a slight sense of unease.

How did these cues support or prevent effective communication?

The open and positive cues, like nodding and smiling, helped build rapport and made the speaker
feel heard and valued. These actions encouraged the other person to share more openly. On the
other hand, the brief closed-off moment, where they crossed their arms and looked away, could
have been interpreted as disinterest or hesitation, slightly hindering the flow of communication.

I can recognize and label non-verbal cues (facial expression, posture, gesture, and
proximity). I know this because…
I observed how different facial expressions like smiling or frowning can indicate a person’s
emotions or attitude. For example, leaning forward while talking shows engagement, while
crossing arms can signal defensiveness. In the activity, I practiced identifying these cues and
labeling whether they were open or closed body language.

I can explain the impact of non-verbal cues and open and closed body language. I know this
because…

I learned that open body language, like uncrossed arms and maintaining eye contact, creates a
sense of trust and encourages others to share more freely. Closed body language, like avoiding
eye contact or turning away, can make people feel ignored or unwelcome. For example, in one of
the scenarios, a lack of nodding or gestures made the speaker feel unsupported.

I can use specific non-verbal cues to convey meaning in my communication. I know this
because…

I’ve practiced nodding, maintaining eye contact, and smiling to show interest during
conversations. These cues helped me signal that I was actively listening and engaged. For
instance, I noticed that using these behaviors made my partner feel more comfortable and willing
to share their thoughts.

Next Steps to Improve Non-Verbal Communication

1. Practice maintaining consistent eye contact during conversations.
2. Use gestures intentionally to emphasize points without overdoing it.
3. Be mindful of facial expressions to ensure they align with the tone of the conversation.
4. Observe and mirror others’ body language to build rapport.
5. Avoid closed body language, like crossing arms or turning away, especially in sensitive
conversations.
6. Record myself speaking to analyze and improve non-verbal communication skills.
7. Seeking feedback from peers about how my non-verbal cues are perceived.

Speech 1: "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr.

Ways the speech engages the audience:

1. Powerful imagery: King uses vivid metaphors, such as "the check of justice" and "the
red hills of Georgia," to create strong mental pictures that resonate emotionally.
2. Repetition for emphasis: The repeated use of "I have a dream" drives home his message
and makes it memorable.
 3. Passionate delivery: King’s tone, pacing, and rising intensity convey his deep
conviction, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
4. Connection to values: The speech ties its themes to universal values like equality,
justice, and freedom, which appeal to a wide audience.

Speech 2: "How to Live Before You Die" by Steve Jobs (Stanford Commencement, 2005)

Ways the speech engages the audience:

1. Personal storytelling: Jobs shares emotional and relatable stories about his life,
including dropping out of college and facing cancer, making the speech authentic and
inspiring.
2. Simple, clear language: He uses plain language and short sentences, which makes the
speech easy to follow and impactful.
3. Timeless advice: Jobs provides actionable takeaways, such as “Stay hungry, stay
foolish,” that resonate beyond the moment.
4. Audience connection: His conversational tone and moments of humor make the speech
feel personal and engaging for graduates and listeners alike.

Topics for Speech:

1. The Value of Failure in Achieving Success
2. The Importance of Mental Health Education in Schools

My Opinions:

• Failure is a necessary part of growth because it teaches resilience and adaptability.

• Most successful people have faced failure but used it as a stepping stone to achieve their
goals.
• Society should reframe failure as a learning opportunity instead of a setback.

Things I Know:

• Stories of famous individuals like Thomas Edison and J.K. Rowling, who failed multiple
times before succeeding.
• Psychological studies show that failure helps develop problem-solving skills and
perseverance.
• Failure provides valuable lessons that success often cannot.

Things I Still Need to Find Out:

• Specific data on how failure influences long-term success in different fields.

 • Historical or cultural perspectives on failure and success.
• Strategies people use to overcome failure and turn it into motivation.

Who Would Disagree? Why?

• People who view failure as a sign of weakness or lack of ability may disagree.
• Some might argue that success can be achieved without failure through meticulous
planning or luck.
• Cultures or individuals with a perfectionist mindset might resist the idea that failure is
beneficial.

Topic 2: The Importance of Mental Health Education in Schools

My Opinions:

• Mental health education is just as important as physical health education in schools.

• Teaching students about mental health can reduce stigma and encourage early
intervention.
• Providing mental health resources and support creates a healthier learning environment.

Things I Know:

• Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are on the rise among teenagers.
• Schools often lack sufficient resources to address students' mental health needs.
• Programs that teach emotional intelligence and mindfulness can improve academic and
social outcomes.

Things I Still Need to Find Out:

• Successful case studies of schools implementing mental health education programs.

• How parents and educators perceive the inclusion of mental health in curricula.
• Statistics on the correlation between mental health education and student well-being.

Who Would Disagree? Why?

• Some might argue that mental health education is the responsibility of parents, not
schools.
• Budget constraints might lead critics to prioritize other subjects over mental health
education.
• Individuals who believe mental health struggles should remain private may oppose open
discussion in classrooms.