Grade Level: High School or College
Subject: Communication Studies / Language Arts
Duration: 60 minutes
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Define and explain the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication.
2. Identify different types of non-verbal communication and their functions.
3. Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication in various scenarios.
4. Analyze how verbal and non-verbal communication work together in everyday
interactions.
Materials Needed:
Whiteboard and markers
Projector and screen (if available)
Handouts with definitions and examples of verbal and non-verbal communication
(optional)
A short video demonstrating both types of communication (optional)
Worksheet for group activity
Lesson Structure:
1. Introduction to Communication (10 minutes)
Objective: Introduce the concept of communication and its two main types.
Discussion:
Begin with a brief discussion about communication. Ask students:
“What is communication?”
“How do we communicate with others?”
Explain that communication is the process of sending and receiving messages, and it can
be verbal or non-verbal.
2. Verbal Communication (15 minutes)
Objective: Define verbal communication and discuss its key components.
Definition:
Verbal communication is the use of words to convey messages, including spoken and
written language.
Key Elements:
o Tone of Voice: The way words are spoken (e.g., friendly, angry, sarcastic).
o Vocabulary/Language: The choice of words used.
o Clarity: Speaking clearly and effectively.
Activity:
Role-Play Activity
Students pair up and practice conveying the same message with different tones (e.g., a
compliment given in a friendly tone vs. a sarcastic tone).
3. Non-Verbal Communication (20 minutes)
Objective: Define non-verbal communication and explore its types.
Definition:
Non-verbal communication is the transmission of messages without the use of words.
This includes facial expressions, body language, gestures, eye contact, posture, and
physical proximity.
Types of Non-Verbal Communication:
o Facial Expressions: Communicating emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger).
o Body Language: Posture, gestures, and movements.
o Eye Contact: Indicates attention, interest, or aggression.
o Proxemics: The use of personal space.
o Haptics: Communication through touch.
o Paralanguage: Non-verbal elements of speech like pitch, tone, or speed.
Video Example:
Show a video clip where verbal communication is used, but the non-verbal cues convey
a completely different message (e.g., a teacher saying “You did a great job” while looking
disinterested).
Discussion:
After the video, ask students to analyze how the non-verbal communication
contradicted or enhanced the verbal message.
4. Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in Action (10 minutes)
Objective: Demonstrate the relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication.
Group Activity:
Divide the class into small groups and assign them a scenario (e.g., giving a presentation,
having a conflict with a friend, or leading a team meeting).
Each group must prepare a short skit demonstrating the interaction using both verbal
and non-verbal communication effectively. After each group performs, discuss how both
forms of communication were used in their skits.
5. Summary and Reflection (5 minutes)
Objective: Recap the lesson and ensure students understand key concepts.
Review:
Summarize the main points:
Verbal communication is about words, while non-verbal communication is everything
else that conveys meaning without words.
Reflection Question:
Ask students to think about a recent conversation they had and identify what types of
verbal and non-verbal communication they used.
Assessment:
Formative Assessment:
Observe student participation during the group activity and role-play. Ask questions to
assess understanding during the video discussion.
Homework/Follow-up Assignment:
Ask students to write a reflection paper (1-2 pages) about a real-life situation where
non-verbal communication affected the outcome of a conversation (e.g., a job interview,
an argument with a friend, or a public speaking event).
Extension Activities (Optional):
Non-Verbal Communication in Different Cultures:
Explore how non-verbal cues can vary between cultures and how misinterpretations can
happen. Students can research and present examples.
Body Language Exercise:
Create a game where students have to guess the emotion or message being
communicated through body language alone.
