When I walk into a classroom, I’m reminded that teaching is a kind of performance, but one where you’re not acting, you’re just being more you. The way we speak, move, and look at our students shapes how they feel about the lesson before we even start teaching.
For international teachers, this becomes even more important. Students may not always understand every word you say, but they will understand your tone, your gestures, and your expressions. Those things travel across cultures better than any textbook.
Over the years, I’ve realised something simple: my words are the skeleton, but my voice, face, and body language are what give the lesson its life. I’ve seen a timid child join in after I smiled at them, a restless row settle when I dropped my voice to a whisper, and an entire class lean forward when I acted out a story.
What follows isn't a formal list from a training manual; it’s a collection of techniques I’ve picked up, tested, and kept because they work, again and again, in real classrooms with real, unpredictable children.
The Verbal Side of Teaching
Speak slowly and clearly
Children (and many adults) need time to process what they hear. In a mixed-language classroom, that processing time doubles. I've learned to break instructions into bite-sized pieces. Instead of, "Finish your work, put your books away and then line up", I'll say, "Books away.. (Pause).. now line up". That pause is the magic, it gives them time to act before more information comes in.
Keep it positive
Instead of, "Don't run", I'll say, "Let's walk slowly like an elephant". Same instruction, but it keeps the mood light. I’ve found that children respond better when they feel you’re inviting them into a game rather than correcting them.
Repeat and rephrase
Sometimes I say something once and get blank stares. That's my cue to repackage it. I'll say it again, act it out, or use a visual cue. For example, "Show me your happy face" becomes me saying it, doing a big grin, and pointing to a picture card.
Make the story breathe
I never tell Goldilocks and the Three Bears in the same voice for each character. Papa Bear is deep and rumbly, Mama Bear is warm and steady, Baby Bear squeaks. I speed up during exciting bits and slow down before a surprise. Children hang on every word because my voice keeps changing.
Ask questions with no single answer
A yes-or-no question shuts down conversation. “Did the frog jump?” gets you “yes” or “no.” But “What do you think the frog will do next?” opens the floor to creativity, sometimes wildly imaginative answers.
Use their names
"Who can help me?" will get a few volunteers. "Amelia, would you like to help me?" makes the child feel chosen. I try to rotate this so everyone gets their moment.
Give small choices
I don't ask, "Do you want to work?" Instead, I ask, "Do you want to start with the puzzle or the drawing?" They still do the activity, but feel they had a say.
The Silent Language
Eye contact that says, "I see you".
During a song, if someone’s drifting, I catch their eye and smile. No need to call them out, they’re back in the group in seconds.
Hands that tell a story.
I flutter my arms for "butterfly", wiggle fingers down for "rain". Children remember these gestures long after they forget the words.
Expressions to set the tone
If the wolf is about to knock on the door, I widen my eyes, drop my jaw and the children copy me without realising it.
Position matters
Standing over a child can feel intimidating. I kneel to talk to them at eye level. On the flip side, when a group is chattering, I walk over while still speaking, and they quieten naturally.
Props as signals
I have a bright scarf that means “story time". No need for shouting; the moment they see it, they start settling down.
The pause
A well-timed pause can silence a noisy room. I'll stop mid-sentence, look at them, and wait. The hush comes quickly.
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When Words and Actions Dance Together
The best moments come when verbal and nonverbal communication work side by side.
I once whispered, "The bear is sleeping", crouched down, and pressed my finger to my lips. Without me saying "Be quiet" or "Sit still", the entire class tiptoed.
But you have to stay aware of cultural differences. I don't point directly at students because in some places, it's considered rude. I'll use an open hand. And though a smile works in almost every culture, I still watch for how my gestures are received and adjust.
I’ve also learned to experiment. A very quiet boy in my class barely spoke. I gave him the job of holding the book during story time. That was it. The next week, he started reading a few words out loud.
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The Moments That Stay With You
- The Curious Wanderer: Circle time was in full swing when Paarth crawled to the window. Instead of calling him back, I joined him, peeked out, and whispered, “Shall we tell the others what we saw?” He rushed back to share with the group.
- The Overenthusiastic Singer: Darshini sang so loudly that the others couldn’t hear themselves. I matched her volume, then slowly lowered mine until she followed suit.
- The Silent Artist: Lakshit preferred drawing to games. I brought his drawing into the story we were telling, and soon he was adding lines to the plot.
- The Reluctant Speaker: Krisha never answered aloud. I started by asking her to whisper her answer to me, then to a partner, then finally to the group.
- The Impatient Line: Children kept pushing when lining up. I turned it into a “statue parade,” where we froze after each step. Lining up became a game.
- The Balloon Incident: A stray balloon floated in mid-lesson. Instead of ignoring it, I used it for a quick “pass the balloon and say a new word” game before sliding back into the plan.
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Extra Teacher Truths I’ve Learned the Hard Way
- Watch first The first few minutes of a lesson can tell you who’s sleepy, who’s restless, and who needs a little extra encouragement.
- Learn a few words in their language Even a “thank you” or a “good job” in their mother tongue can light up their face.
- Bring their world in Use examples from local festivals, foods, or games. It builds instant connection.
- Model what you expect If you want them to listen respectfully, show them how.
- Celebrate the small stuff The first time a shy child raises their hand is worth celebrating.
The Heart of It
Whether you’re with three-year-olds or teenagers, your communication shapes the classroom more than your resources or materials. You can have the fanciest slides and the most colourful posters, but if your tone is impatient, your body language is closed, and your expressions are flat, the room will feel it.
The reverse is also true. With warmth in your voice, a sparkle in your eyes, and a little movement in your hands, even a plain worksheet can feel engaging.
Every time I leave a lesson, I remind myself: the moments the children remember are rarely the perfect PowerPoint slides or the polished explanations. They remember when I gasped in pretend shock, when we all whispered together, when I joined them at the window to look at something curious.
It's those little human touches, the ones you can’t script, that make a classroom feel alive.
FAQ's
Q1. What are verbal and nonverbal communication skills in teaching?
Verbal communication refers to a teacher’s spoken words, explanations, tone, and questioning techniques.
Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, classroom presence, and movement.
Both influence how students understand lessons, stay engaged, and feel emotionally supported in class.
Q2. Why are verbal and nonverbal communication important for teachers in India’s diverse classrooms?
India's classrooms include multiple languages, dialects, and learning levels.
Verbal communication helps deliver clear academic content, while nonverbal cues help teachers connect emotionally, support multilingual learners, and manage behaviour without raising their voice.
Together, they create an inclusive, safe, and responsive learning environment.
Q3. What is the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication in teaching?
Verbal communication uses words to share information.
Nonverbal communication uses body language, facial expressions, gestures, tone, and proximity to reinforce meaning.
Verbal explains the content, nonverbal explains the intent behind it.
Verbal communication is the top layer - the words you can taste directly. It tells you what is being said: the facts, instructions, stories, arguments.
Nonverbal communication is the quiet undercurrent beneath - the temperature of the room, the rise and fall of a voice, the tilt of a body, the flicker in someone’s eyes. It tells you why it’s being said, how the person feels while saying it, and what they want you to sense between the lines.
Q4. What are the most effective verbal communication techniques for teachers?
Highly effective verbal skills include:
- Clear step-by-step instructions
- Thoughtful questioning
- Summaries and transitions
- Age-appropriate vocabulary
- A warm, confident tone
These techniques help improve comprehension and reduce classroom confusion.
Q5. What are the most powerful nonverbal cues teachers use to manage classroom behaviour?
Top nonverbal behaviour tools include:
- Proximity (standing near off-task students)
- Eye contact to signal attention
- Calm posture
- Consistent hand signals
- Purposeful movement around the room
- These cues reduce disruptions without confrontation.
Q6. How do teachers use nonverbal communication to build trust and rapport?
Teachers build trust and rapport through:
- Smiling warmly
- Nodding during answers
- Open hand gestures
- Soft eye contact
- Patient posture
These nonverbal signals make students feel seen, respected, and safe.
Q7. What are the 7 key types of nonverbal communication teachers should know?
The seven major types are:
- Facial expressions
- Body movements and gestures
- Eye contact
- Voice tone and pace
- Physical space (proximity)
- Appearance and classroom presence
- Touch (used appropriately and culturally sensitively)
Q8. What are the 4 major types of verbal communication used in teaching?
The four essential types are:
- Instructional explanations
- Questioning and probing
- Verbal feedback
- Interpersonal communication with students
These help teachers guide lessons, check understanding, and build relationships.
Q9. How can teachers improve verbal clarity in the classroom?
Teachers can improve clarity by:
- Using short, simple sentences
- Slowing down speech
- Giving examples with visuals
- Checking understanding regularly
- Providing written instructions when needed
Clear communication leads to fewer doubts and better learning outcomes.
Q10. How does body language affect student engagement?
A teacher’s body language quietly shapes the emotional climate of the classroom.
Positive cues - an open posture, easy movement, genuine smiles, and steady eye contact - signal safety and enthusiasm. They draw students in, boost attention, and encourage participation.
Negative cues - such as crossed arms, visible frustration, closed-off gestures, or a rigid, unmoving stance - can make students feel judged or anxious, thereby lowering motivation and reducing their willingness to speak.
Students often absorb and reflect their teacher’s emotional energy, so the way a teacher stands, moves, and expresses can be as influential as the words they speak.
Q11. What are the 7 C’s of communication for teachers?
Teachers can improve communication by using the 7 C’s:
- Clarity
- Conciseness
- Completeness
- Correctness
- Courtesy
- Concreteness
- Consideration
These help teachers deliver instructions more effectively in the classroom.
Q12. How can teachers balance verbal instructions with nonverbal cues?
The best approach is:
- Give clear verbal steps
- Support them with gestures or visuals
- Maintain eye contact to ensure readiness
- Use consistent hand signals for transitions
- Keep a calm tone and confident posture
This combination improves understanding and classroom discipline.
