B. Foundations of Language · Listening, Speaking and Word Power

Expression, Gestures and Body Language

B1.4 A1About 35 minutes

Learning goals

I can use my voice (volume, pace, tone and pauses) to help listeners understand.
I can use gestures, facial expressions and body language that match my words.
I can read other people's non-verbal messages.
I can explain how these strategies help people understand ideas and feelings.

Words to know

non-verbal communication
Sending a message without words, using your face, hands and body.

expression
How your voice and face show feeling and meaning.

gesture
A movement of your hands, arms or head that sends a message, like a wave or pointing.

body language
What your posture and movements say, such as standing tall, slouching or leaning in.

tone
The feeling in your voice, such as excited, calm, serious or worried.

posture
The way you hold your body when you stand or sit.

Let's start with a game

Say the word "Really" in three ways:

Excited, because you just won a prize: "Really?!"
Bored, because someone told you something you already knew: "Really."
Surprised and worried, because you heard school is closed for a snowstorm and you have a test tomorrow: "Really...?"

Same word, three different meanings! The difference came from your expression: your voice and your face. A big part of what we communicate is how we say things, not just the words.

One word, three meanings. Your face and the way your voice moves change what Really means.

Your voice tools

Volume: loud enough for everyone to hear; softer to build suspense.
Pace: slower for important or new information; a little faster for exciting moments.
Tone: the feeling in your voice (cheerful, serious, curious).
Pause: a short stop before or after an important idea makes people pay attention.
Stress: saying a key word a bit louder or longer: "This is the most important rule."

Your body tools

Facial expressions: a smile, raised eyebrows, a frown.
Gestures: holding up three fingers for "three reasons," spreading your hands wide for "huge," pointing to a map.
Posture: standing tall with both feet on the floor shows confidence.
Eye contact or looking around the audience: helps listeners feel included. (Remember: in some cultures, looking down shows respect, so we don't judge listeners by where they look.)

👋👍🤷👉

Four common gestures: wave (hello or goodbye), thumbs up (good or okay), shrug (I don't know), pointing (look there).

Gesture or expression	What it usually means
👋 Wave	Hello or goodbye
👍 Thumbs up	Good, yes or okay
🤷 Shrug	I don't know, or I'm not sure
👉 Pointing	Look over there
Nodding your head	Yes, or I understand
Raised eyebrows	Surprise or a question

Some non-verbal messages. Meanings can be different in different cultures.

Worked example

Let's add non-verbal tools to a sentence

You are giving a talk about the Canadian Shield. You say: "The Canadian Shield is a huge area of very old rock. It covers about half of Canada."

How can you use your voice and body to help?

Gesture: spread your arms wide when you say "huge."
Visual and pointing: point to the Canadian Shield on a map when you say "about half of Canada."
Stress and pace: slow down and stress "very old" because it's an amazing fact.
Pause: pause after the first sentence so listeners can picture it.

Gestures, pointing, stress and pauses help listeners picture the size and notice the important facts.

When words and body don't match

If your words say one thing but your body says another, listeners get a mixed message. Imagine someone saying "I'm SO excited to be here" in a flat voice while slouching and staring at the floor. Listeners believe the body more than the words! Make your non-verbal messages match your words.

Watch out for distracting habits

Some habits pull listeners' attention away from your message: swaying, playing with your hair or a pencil, saying "um" a lot, or turning your back to the audience. Practise in front of a mirror or a grown-up and choose one habit to work on.

Just for fun

Try this: say I love broccoli! while making your most disgusted face. Everyone will believe your face, not your words. That's how powerful non-verbal messages are!

Worked example

Let's read someone's body language

Your little brother says, "I'm fine," but his arms are crossed, he is frowning, and he won't look up from his shoes.

What might he really be feeling?

His words say fine.
His body says something else: crossed arms and a frown often mean upset or grumpy.
The message doesn't match, so you might gently ask: "You look a bit upset. Do you want to talk about it?"

He might be upset or sad. Reading body language helps us understand people and respond kindly.

A mixed message: the words say fine, but the frown and crossed arms say upset.

Hands-on activity

Charades and the one-sentence challenge

You need: a family member, small slips of paper and a mirror (optional).

Part 1: Feelings charades. Write feelings on slips: proud, bored, nervous, excited, confused, surprised. Take turns picking one and acting it out with only your face and body, no words. The others guess.

Part 2: One sentence, many meanings. Say this sentence: "We're having soup for supper." Say it as if you are (a) thrilled, (b) disappointed, (c) asking a question, (d) telling a secret. Your partner guesses which one.

Part 3: Explain it. For one round, tell your partner which tools helped them guess (tone? face? shoulders?).

Your turn

Name three voice tools a speaker can use.

What gesture could you use when you say, "There are three reasons"?

A speaker talks very fast and quietly. What problem might listeners have?

Your friend says "Great job!" with a smile and a thumbs-up. Do the words and body match?

Why might a speaker pause before saying the answer to a riddle?

What does a shrug usually mean?

How does good posture help a speaker?

More practice: warm-up

What does non-verbal mean?

What does a nod usually mean?

Is a wave a gesture or a sound?

Name one facial expression that shows surprise.

Should you turn your back to the audience while you talk?

More practice: on your own

You are telling a spooky story. How could you change your volume and pace at the scariest part?

A student says, "I really love this book," in a flat voice while yawning. What message do listeners get? Why?

Name two distracting habits a speaker should avoid.

Explain how pointing to a diagram during a science talk helps the audience.

Why should we be careful about deciding someone isn't listening just because they aren't looking at us?

Challenge

Choose one sentence: "The game was cancelled." Describe how you would say it to show (a) disappointment and (b) relief. Include voice and body.

Plan the non-verbal tools for this persuasive line: "We can all help. If every student brings just one can, we'll fill the food bank bin by Thanksgiving!"

Explain in 2 or 3 sentences why non-verbal communication matters, even when your words are perfect.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which is a gesture?

A speaker wants listeners to notice an important fact. What should they do?

Someone says "I'm happy" while frowning with crossed arms. This is...

What does tone of voice mean?

Which is a distracting habit when speaking?

Why do speakers use expression and gestures?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 4 expectation B1.4 asks students to identify and use oral and non-verbal strategies (expression, gestures, body language) and to explain how these help communicate meaning. The explaining part matters: ask your child why a gesture or pause helped.

How to help at home:

Watch a short video of a storyteller or a kids' news report with the sound off for 30 seconds. What can your child tell from face and body alone? Then turn the sound on.
Rehearse presentations at home and give one specific compliment and one goal ("Your pause before the answer was great. Next time, try to keep your hands still.").

Common difficulties:

Speaking too quietly or quickly when nervous. Practise with a "slow down" signal you agree on.
Over-acting gestures. Gestures should match and support the words, not replace them.

Note: Non-verbal norms (eye contact, personal space, gestures) differ across cultures. Encourage curiosity rather than one "correct" way.