Week 3 Gestures

Level II:

VISUAL RESOURCES:

It’s useful to review parts of the body for this lesson.

See the Oxford Picture Dictionary pp. 104-105

QUESTIONS:

See http://iteslj.org/questions/

• How do you signal a waiter in your country?
• How do you signal that someone has a phone call?
• How do you signal that someone is crazy?
• How do you signal that you’re bored? tired? angry?
• How do you gesture “Go away!”?
• What are some universal gestures for help? choking?
• How do you count on your fingers in your country?
• How do you beckon someone to come to you in your country?
• What are some gestures you know?
• What are some good gestures in your country?
• What are some insulting gestures in your country?
• Can you think of some gestures that have different meanings in different countries?
• What gesture in your culture do you think is unique from other cultures?
• Has your teacher ever used a gesture that you are not sure you understood? If so, please try to imitate the gesture and say what you think it means.
• What gestures, in your opinion, are understood by people anywhere in the world?

LISTENING ACTIVITES:

See Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab http://www.esl-lab.com/

“Party Time”

http://www.esl-lab.com/party/partrd1.htm

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:

Understanding Different Interpretations of Common Gestures

It is important for mainstream teachers to understand how the gestures they use unconsciously may be misunderstood. This activity allows participants to look a little closer at how body language might be interpreted by English Language Learners and their parents.

Demonstrate the gestures below and ask students to write down what they think each gesture means. They should also indicate if they think the gesture is considered rude in the United States. Have pair discuss how body language could influence communication between cultures.

• Beckon with index finger.
• Point at something in the room using index finger.
• Make a “V” sign.
• Smile.
• Sit with sole of feet or shoe showing.
• Form a circle with fingers to indicate “O.K.”
• Pat a student on the head.
• Pass an item to someone with one hand.
• Wave hand with palm facing outward to greet someone.
• Nod head up and down to say “Yes.”

Answer Key for Body Language Activities

Each of the following responses give a general guide to cultural differences in the meaning of gestures.

1. Beckon with index finger. This means “Come here” in the U.S. To motion with the index finger to call someone is insulting, or even obscene, in many cultures. Expect a reaction when you beckon to a student from the Middle or Far East; Portugal, Spain, Latin America, Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong. It is more acceptable to beckon with the palm down, with fingers or whole hand waving.

2. Point at something in the room using index finger. It is impolite to point with the index finger in the Middle and Far East. Use an open hand or your thumb (in Indonesia)

3. Make a “V” sign. This means “Victory” in most of Europe when you make this sign with your palm facing away from you. If you face your palm in, the same gesture means “Shove it.”

4. Smile. This gesture is universally understood. However, it various cultures there are different reasons for smiling. The Japanese may smile when they are confused or angry. In other parts of Asia, people may smile when they are embarrassed. People in other cultures may not smile at everyone to indicate a friendly greeting as we do in the United States. A smile may be reserved for friends. It is important not to judge students or their parents because they do not smile, or smile at what we would consider “inappropriate” times.

5. Sit with soles shoes showing. In many cultures this sends a rude message. In Thailand, Japan and France as well as countries of the Middle and Near East showing the soles of the feet demonstrates disrespect. You are exposing the lowest and dirtiest part of your body so this is insulting.

6. Form a circle with fingers to indicate “O.K.” Although this means “O.K.” in the U.S. and in many countries around the world, there are some notable exceptions:

• In Brazil and Germany, this gesture is obscene.
• In Japan, this means “money.”
• In France, it has the additional meaning of “zero” or “worthless.”

7. Pat a student on the head. This is very upsetting to students from Asia. The head is the repository of the soul in the Buddhist religion. Children from cultures which are influenced by Buddhism will feel uncomfortable if their head is touched.

8. Pass an item to someone with one hand. – In Japan this is very rude. Even a very small item such as a pencil must be passed with two hands. In many Middle and Far Eastern countries it is rude to pass something with your left hand which is considered “unclean.”

9. Wave hand with the palm facing outward to greet someone. In Europe, waving the hand back and forth can mean “No.” To wave “good-bye,” raise the palm outward and wag the fingers in unison, This is also a serious insult in Nigeria if the hand is too close to another person’s face.

10. Nod head up and down to say “Yes.” In Bulgaria and Greece, this gesture means “No.”

Adapted from http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/body_language.php

VOCABULARY:

ee Longman Dictionary of English Online http://www.ldoceonline.com and http://www.learnersdictionary.com/

See Oxford Collocations: Dictionary for Students of English

IDIOMS:

See In the Know: Understanding and Using Idioms by Cindy Leaney (Cambridge Press)

See Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms (Cambridge Press)

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/

Learn it by heart = exactly and from memory Ex: You know the telephone number by heart, don’t you?

Usage notes: often used with know, learn, recite, and play: Ex: I studied piano for two years, and all I learned to play by heart was “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

See eye to eye = be in agreement Ex. “We never saw eye to eye on this question”

An old hand = someone who has done a particular job or activity for a long time and who can do it very well (often + at ) Ex: She’s an old hand at magazines, having trained on Cosmopolitan before editing Company.

OTHER RESOURCES/IDEAS:

http://www.esltutors.org/resources/index.html

http://ctleslpeertutor.project.mnscu.edu/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={F25FF5CA-EE8C-43D6-AF61-928CE0B2FBB6}

click here for pictures of U.S. Politicians and an analysis of their body language: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/08/americas_us_candidates0_body_language/html/1.stm

See The ESL Miscellany: A Treasury of Cultural and Linguistic Information (Pro Lingua Press) pp. 305-317 for good photos of the most common gestures

Click here for a worksheet on kissing, hugging, and shaking hands http://www.eslflow.com/Gestures_kiss_hug_shake_hands.pdf

Writing Connections:

See Talk and Write pp. 90-91 “I am a…”

See also Zero Prep p. 90 “I am the Curtains”

Level III:

VISUAL RESOURCES:

See the Visual Merriam Webster Dictionary OR The Visual Dictionary Online http://visual.merriam-webster.com/

It’s useful to review parts of the body for this lesson.

http://visual.merriam-webster.com/human-being/human-body.php

QUESTIONS:

See http://iteslj.org/questions/

• What are some gestures you know?
• What are some good gestures in your country?
• What are some insulting gestures in your country?
• When is it appropriate to point?
• Do you think some gestures are universal?
• What are the gestures for “I don’t know”, “You are crazy”, “money” and “come here” in your country?
• Has your teacher ever used a hand and/or facial gesture that was o.k. in the teacher’s country but an insult in your country? If so, did you tell the teacher so it would not happen again?
• What are some bad gestures that you have seen in Western films but you don’t know the meaning of?
• Have you ever made a social mistake using wrong gestures in foreign countries?
• What’s your country’s gesture for peace? What if you show it backwards? (I.e. In Hong Kong, if the back of the hand faces the audience when you’re using a “V” peace sign, that means “F*** You!”)

LISTENING ACTIVITES:

See Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab http://www.esl-lab.com/

“Japanese Public Bath” http://www.esl-lab.com/bath1/bath1.htm

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Understanding Different Interpretations of Common Gestures

It is important for mainstream teachers to understand how the gestures they use unconsciously may be misunderstood. This activity allows participants to look a little closer at how body language might be interpreted by English Language Learners and their parents.

Demonstrate the gestures below and ask participants to write down what they think each gesture means. Participants should also indicate if they think the gesture is considered rude in the United States. Have group discuss how body language could influence communication between cultures.

• Beckon with index finger.
• Point at something in the room using index finger.
• Make a “V” sign.
• Smile.
• Sit with sole of feet or shoe showing.
• Form a circle with fingers to indicate “O.K.”
• Pat a student on the head.
• Pass an item to someone with one hand.
• Wave hand with palm facing outward to greet someone.
• Nod head up and down to say “Yes.”

Answer Key for Body Language Activities

Each of the following responses give a general guide to cultural differences in the meaning of gestures.

1. Beckon with index finger. This means “Come here” in the U.S. To motion with the index finger to call someone is insulting, or even obscene, in many cultures. Expect a reaction when you beckon to a student from the Middle or Far East; Portugal, Spain, Latin America, Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong. It is more acceptable to beckon with the palm down, with fingers or whole hand waving.

2. Point at something in the room using index finger. It is impolite to point with the index finger in the Middle and Far East. Use an open hand or your thumb (in Indonesia)

3. Make a “V” sign. This means “Victory” in most of Europe when you make this sign with your palm facing away from you. If you face your palm in, the same gesture means “Shove it.”

4. Smile. This gesture is universally understood. However, it various cultures there are different reasons for smiling. The Japanese may smile when they are confused or angry. In other parts of Asia, people may smile when they are embarrassed. People in other cultures may not smile at everyone to indicate a friendly greeting as we do in the United States. A smile may be reserved for friends. It is important not to judge students or their parents because they do not smile, or smile at what we would consider “inappropriate” times.

5. Sit with soles shoes showing. In many cultures this sends a rude message. In Thailand, Japan and France as well as countries of the Middle and Near East showing the soles of the feet demonstrates disrespect. You are exposing the lowest and dirtiest part of your body so this is insulting.

6. Form a circle with fingers to indicate “O.K.” Although this means “O.K.” in the U.S. and in many countries around the world, there are some notable exceptions:

• In Brazil and Germany, this gesture is obscene.
• In Japan, this means “money.”
• In France, it has the additional meaning of “zero” or “worthless.”

7. Pat a student on the head. This is very upsetting to students from Asia. The head is the repository of the soul in the Buddhist religion. Children from cultures which are influenced by Buddhism will feel uncomfortable if their head is touched.

8. Pass an item to someone with one hand. – In Japan this is very rude. Even a very small item such as a pencil must be passed with two hands. In many Middle and Far Eastern countries it is rude to pass something with your left hand which is considered “unclean.”

9. Wave hand with the palm facing outward to greet someone. In Europe, waving the hand back and forth can mean “No.” To wave “good-bye,” raise the palm outward and wag the fingers in unison, This is also a serious insult in Nigeria if the hand is too close to another person’s face.

10. Nod head up and down to say “Yes.” In Bulgaria and Greece, this gesture means “No.”

Adapted from http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/body_language.php

VOCABULARY:

See Longman Dictionary of English Online http://www.ldoceonline.com and http://www.learnersdictionary.com/

See Oxford Collocations: Dictionary for Students of English

IDIOMS:

See In the Know: Understanding and Using Idioms by Cindy Leaney (Cambridge Press)

See Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms (Cambridge Press)

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/

pull someone’s leg = To play a joke on; tease or deceive.

not have a leg to stand on= Slang

A justifiable or logical basis for defense; support. Ex: He doesn’t have a leg to stand on in this debate.

all thumbs = Lacking physical coordination, skill, or grace; clumsy.

OTHER RESOURCES/IDEAS:

See The ESL Miscellany: A Treasury of Cultural and Linguistic Information (Pro Lingua Press)

http://www.esltutors.org/resources/index.html

http://ctleslpeertutor.project.mnscu.edu/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={F25FF5CA-EE8C-43D6-AF61-928CE0B2FBB6}

click here for pictures of U.S. Politicians and an analysis of their body language: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/08/americas_us_candidates0_body_language/html/1.stm

An interesting collection of cultural gestures from around the world:

http://soc302.tripod.com/soc_302rocks/id6.html

Writing Connections:

See Talk and Write pp. 90-91 “I am a…”

See also Zero Prep p. 90 “I am the Curtains”

Level IV:

VISUAL RESOURCES:

See the Visual Merriam Webster Dictionary OR The Visual Dictionary Online http://visual.merriam-webster.com/

It’s useful to review parts of the body for this lesson.

http://visual.merriam-webster.com/human-being/human-body.php

QUESTIONS:

See http://iteslj.org/questions/

• What are some gestures you know?
• What are some good gestures in your country?
• What are some insulting gestures in your country?
• When is it appropriate to point?
• Do you think some gestures are universal?
• Do you “talk” with your hands?
  • Do you know anyone who does?
  • Have you ever described something to someone on the phone and realized you were using gestures,even though the person could not see you?
• Do gestures help you to understand others and express yourself, or are they sometimes confusing and distracting?
• Can you say anything in sign language?
• What’s your country’s gesture for peace? What if you show it backwards? (I.e. In Hong Kong, if the back of the hand faces the audience when you’re using a “V” peace sign, that means “F*** You!”)
• What are some bad gestures that you have seen in Western films but you don’t know the meaning of?
• What are some gestures that you used when you were a child that you don’t use anymore?
• What are some gestures that you didn’t learn until you were a teenager or a young adult?
• What are some gestures you know that relate to the sporting world?
• Have you ever made a social mistake using wrong gestures in foreign countries?

LISTENING ACTIVITES:

See Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab http://www.esl-lab.com/

“Friday Night Mishaps” http://www.esl-lab.com/night/nightrd1.htm

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:

See Longman Essential Activator (Pearson Longman) OR Communicating on Campus by Amy Hemmert and Ged O’Connell (Alta)

It can be fun to play games that require body movement, role plays and improvisations.

1. Charades

2. Twenty Questions

3. I Spy

See also Improvisations, “Dinner Party” p. 20-21 and “I am a Machine”

See also Zero Prep p. 90 “Pointing out Fun”

See also Zero Prep p. 90 “Pointing out Fun”

VOCABULARY:

See Longman Dictionary of English Online http://www.ldoceonline.com and http://www.learnersdictionary.com/

See Oxford Collocations: Dictionary for Students of English

IDIOMS:

See In the Know: Understanding and Using Idioms by Cindy Leaney (Cambridge Press)

See Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms (Cambridge Press)

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/

face the music = To accept the unpleasant consequences, especially of one’s own actions.

hit the nail on the head = To be absolutely right.

stick your neck out = To make oneself vulnerable; take a risk.

OTHER RESOURCES/IDEAS:

See The ESL Miscellany: A Treasury of Cultural and Linguistic Information (Pro Lingua Press)

http://www.esltutors.org/resources/index.html

http://ctleslpeertutor.project.mnscu.edu/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={F25FF5CA-EE8C-43D6-AF61-928CE0B2FBB6}

click here for pictures of U.S. Politicians and an analysis of their body language: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/08/americas_us_candidates0_body_language/html/1.stm

An interesting collection of cultural gestures from around the world:

http://soc302.tripod.com/soc_302rocks/id6.html

Writing Connections:

See Talk and Write pp. 90-91 “I am a…”

See also Zero Prep p. 90 “I am the Curtains”