Forms and functions of nonverbal communication in native and non-native French lecturers’ classrooms
This study explores the categories and pedagogic functions of nonverbal communication used by native-speaker and non-native-speaker French teachers teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE). This study used descriptive qualitative method through room-talk analysis to be observed in Yogyakarta State University. There were two non-native lecturers, a man and a woman, the participants. The data were collected from non-participating classes by means of observations, field notes, and audio-visual recordings. The discussion was limited to the following are nine forms of nonverbal communications: body language, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, proxemics, silence, touch, paralanguage, visual-aids and demonstrations. The results argue that these nine lecture delivery modes are key pedagogic resources through which lecturers shape meaning-making, manage class interaction, and develop lecturer-student relational intimacy. The non-native lecturer displays an increased desire for instruction clarity manifested in a more controlled body language, strategically employed silences, and minimized paralanguage. Conversely, the native speaker prefers interactional dynamism, readily employing hand gestures, spatial dynamics, engaging friendly facial expressions and a variety of paralanguage signals. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of nonverbal communication and its role in the co-construction of a multimodal, interactional-based pedagogic context in teaching French at university. Eye contact, posture, touch and visual illustrations are other communicative resources that help to reinforce the dynamics of the classroom interactions.
Downloads
Abaya, R., Ongarora, D., & Magonya, L. (2023). Politeness in nonverbal communication: A commentary on non-verbal communication in a linguistics classroom context in a selected Kenyan university. European Journal of Applied Linguistics Studies, 6(2), 84–96. https://doi.org/10.46827/ejals.v6i2.452
Anderson, K. A. (2023). Nonverbal communication as a mediator of intercultural communication in English as a second language classrooms. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2023.2262422
Annadurai, V., Kavipriya, J., & Vasuki, A. (2024). The effectiveness of verbal and non-verbal communication in extension. AgriCos E-Newsletter, 5(12), 37–40.
Bihari, B. D. (2022). Significance of nonverbal communication and paralinguistic features in communication: A critical analysis. International Journal for Innovative Research, 4(4), 172–179.
Bouyssi, C., & Marquet, P. (2017). Les signes expressifs corporels de la conversation par vidéoconférence. ALSIC, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.4000/alsic.3098
Burgoon, J. K., Manusov, V., & Guerrero, L. K. (2021). Nonverbal communication (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Campbell, J. L., Quincy, C., Osserman, J., & Pedersen, O. K. (2013). Coding in-depth semi-structured interviews: Problems of unitization and intercoder reliability. Sociological Methods & Research, 42(3), 294–320. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124113500475
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Diadori, P. (2024). Nonverbal communication in classroom interaction and its role in Italian foreign language teaching and learning. Languages, 9(5), Article 164. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9050164
Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies. Oxford University Press.
Fei, V. L. (2018). Developing a systemic functional approach to teach multimodal literacy. Functional Linguistics, 5(1), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40554-018-0066-8
Fei, V. L., & Tan-Chia, L. (2023). Designing learning for multimodal literacy. Routledge.
Ghafar, Z. N., & Ali, H. M. (2023). Nonverbal communication in the classroom and its role in the teaching and learning process. Journal of Social Science, 2(6), 712–719.
Grillo, H. M., & Enesi, M. (2022). Impact, importance, types, and use of non-verbal communication in social relations. Linguistics and Culture Review, 6(S3), 291–307.
Gunawan, G., Dollah, S., & Sakkir, G. (2024). The use of kinesics as nonverbal communication in the classroom at University of Muhammadiyah Bone. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 4(2), 209–215.
Hall, J. A., & Knapp, M. L. (2013). Nonverbal communication. De Gruyter Mouton.
Heath, C., Hindmarsh, J., & Luff, P. (2010). Video in qualitative research: Analysing social interaction in everyday life. SAGE Publications.
Heath, C., Luff, P., & Svensson, M. S. (2007). Video and qualitative research: Analysing medical practice and interaction. Medical Education, 41(1), 109–116.
Heigham, J., & Croker, R. A. (2009). Qualitative research in applied linguistics: A practical introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.
Hess, U. (2023). Nonverbal communication. In Encyclopedia of Mental Health (3rd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 647–659). Elsevier.
Hsiao, H. S., Chang, I. H., Chen, Y. H., & Chen, J. C. (2025). Using gesture recognition with the memory strategy to improve preschoolers’ learning performance. Educational Technology Research and Development, 73(3), 1791–1809.
Indah, O. D., Crestiani, J., & Ramadhana, M. A. (2018). Nonverbal communication used by students in studying English. Jurnal Studi Guru dan Pembelajaran, 1(1), 42–48.
Jasuli, J., Hartatik, S. F., & Astuti, E. S. (2024). The impact of nonverbal communication on effective public speaking in English. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 7(2), 226–232.
Karman, K., & Nurchalis, N. (2024). Lecturers’ non-verbal communication during English lessons. Eduvelop: Journal of English Education and Development, 7(2), 86–98.
Kaushal, S. (2013). Contribution of non-verbal language in communication. Asian Journal of Advanced Basic Sciences, 2(1), 15–21.
Kshetree, A. K. (2023). Effect of nonverbal communication in English classes. Vox Batauli, 8(1), 1–18.
Maisarah, M., Putri, T. H., Fauziyah, N., Saifuddin, M., Nurcahyani, D., Najih, A., & Bakri, B. (2023). Teachers’ non-verbal communication in teaching English to young learners. Formosa Journal of Science and Technology, 2(8), 1939–1959.
Manusov, V. (2016). Nonverbal communication. In The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy (pp. 1–19). Wiley.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Moleong, L. J. (2018). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif (edisi revisi). PT Remaja Rosdakarya.
Muchemwa, S. (2013). Use of nonverbal communication in the classroom. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 103, 1279–1287.
Munir, H., Khan, A., & Munawar, U. (2024). Role of non-verbal communication skills of teachers. Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(2), 58–69.
Nigussie, M. (2015). An insight into non-verbal communication for EFL teachers. International Journal of Innovations in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 1–8.
Nnko, E. D. (2024). The effect of non-verbal communication on classroom teaching. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, 2(2), 247–258.
Nyimbili, F., & Nyimbili, L. (2024). Types of purposive sampling techniques. Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education, 8(1), 99–104.
Patterson, M. L. (2016). Nonverbal interpersonal communication. In The Oxford Encyclopedia of Communication. Oxford University Press.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Paul, A., & Soukup, S. J. (2019). Nonverbal communication. Communication Research Trends, 38(1), 3–27.
Rosati-Peterson, G. L., & DeNardo, T. (2021). A nonverbal immediacy treatment with pre-service teachers. Cogent Education, 8(1).
Sadeghi, S., Ketabi, S., Tavakoli, M., & Sadeghi, M. (2012). Application of critical classroom discourse analysis. English Language Teaching, 5(1), 166–173.
Setianti, Y., Tolaki, S., Sartika, E., & Al-Jbour, R. H. (2024). Nonverbal communication and first impression formation. International Journal of Society Reviews, 2(4), 882–894.
Sudaryanto. (2015). Metode dan aneka teknik analisis bahasa. USD Press.
Wahyu, K., Riang, A. D., & Irfan, M. (2021). Analysis of class teacher social competence. International Journal of Elementary School Teacher, 1(1), 18–26.
Wahyuni, S. (2017). The role of nonverbal communication in EFL classroom interaction. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 2(2), 179–190. https://doi.org/10.21462/jeltl.v2i2.70
Yuan, L. (2024). Teacher–student interaction and student engagement. Acta Psychologica, 244, 104185.
Zhou, J., Chen, S., & Chen, H. (2018). Teachers’ nonverbal immediacy and student learning. Communication Education, 67(2), 231–247.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rohali, Roswita Lumban Tobing, Siti Perdi Rahayu, Tika Zuleika
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
