Influence of teacher’s non-verbal communication on EFL students’ speaking performance.

Abstract

Nonverbal communication plays a significant role in every interaction. In the EFL classroom, it is assumed that the teacher’s nonverbal communication plays an important role in students’ performance through interactions between teacher and students. the investigation in this research aims to shed light on the influence of teacher’s nonverbal communication on students’ speaking performance in oral expression classroom. Thus, this research is based on an exploratory case study focused on first-year EFL LMD students of English Department at Adrar University. Both questionnaire and interview were used as research instruments in order to collect enough data. The questionnaire was directed to first-year EFL students while a written interview was emailed to oral expression teachers. All data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results reveal that teacher's nonverbal communication has its impact on students’ participation or performance in an oral session. The impact might be positive or negative; in other words, the influence differs according to the proper use of such nonverbal cues in the classroom either consciously or subconsciously. Last but not least, some suggestions and/or recommendations are offered to seek to help teachers to be aware of the use of their nonverbal behaviours and inviting them to strengthen their positive nonverbal cues to encourage their students to participate and perform well during oral production session.