Lesson Note on Types of Communication: Verbal and Non-Verbal Methods for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Office Practice
Curriculum Theme: Office Communication Skills
Previous Lesson: Importance of Communication: Barriers and Choice Factors.
Topic: TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
Subject Matter: Types of communication (verbal, non-verbal), verbal or oral communication (meaning, advantages, disadvantages), non-verbal communication (meaning, examples: body language, signs, and more)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Define verbal communication.
• Define non-verbal communication.
• State at least three advantages of verbal communication.
• State at least three disadvantages of verbal communication.
• List at least five examples of non-verbal communication.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of effective communication in an office setting.
• Recognize situations where verbal or non-verbal communication is more appropriate.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Demonstrate different forms of non-verbal communication.
• Identify verbal and non-verbal cues in real-life scenarios.

Social Domain:

• Participate constructively in discussions about communication types.
• Communicate effectively with peers during group activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Egbe, A. A. (2018). Office Practice for Senior Secondary Schools 2. Learn Africa Plc.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Pictures of signs
• Body language posters
• Sample audio messages
• Signboards

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the different ways people convey messages, both with words and without words. It enables them to identify appropriate communication methods for various situations, which is important for effective interaction in school and future workplaces.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what communication means and why it is important.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

Meaning of Communication

Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between two or more people. It involves the transfer of information, ideas, feelings, or thoughts from a sender to a receiver.

Types of Communication

Communication can broadly be classified into two main types:

• Verbal Communication
• Non-Verbal Communication

Verbal/Oral Communication

Verbal communication is the use of words, either spoken or written, to convey a message. Oral communication is a form of verbal communication that involves speaking to transfer information. Examples include face-to-face conversations, telephone calls, presentations, and discussions.

The following are advantages of verbal/oral communication:

• It allows for immediate feedback and clarification.
• It is faster for urgent messages.
• It helps in building personal relationships.
• It allows for flexibility in adjusting the message.
• It is cost-effective for informal interactions.

The following are disadvantages of verbal/oral communication:

• It may not be suitable for complex or lengthy messages.
• There is no permanent record of the communication.
• Misunderstanding can occur if the message is not clear.
• It can be influenced by emotions and tone of voice.
• It is difficult to verify the accuracy of the message later.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is the process of conveying messages or information without the use of words. It includes all forms of communication that do not involve spoken or written language.

The following are examples of non-verbal communication:

• Body Language: Gestures, posture, movement, and stance.
• Facial Expressions: Smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, and other expressions that convey emotions.
• Eye Contact: The way and duration people look at each other.
• Touch: Handshakes, pats on the back, or other physical contact.
• Proximity (Personal Space): The physical distance maintained between people.
• Appearance: Clothing, hairstyles, and other aspects of personal grooming.
• Signs and Symbols: Traffic signs, warning signs, logos, and emojis.
• Para-language: Tone of voice, pitch, volume, and speaking speed (how something is said, not what is said).

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then introduces the topic “Types of Communication” by asking pupils how they share messages with their friends and family.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greeting, recall aspects of the previous lesson, and share examples of how they communicate.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and connect it to their prior experiences.

Step 2: Explanation of Communication

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of communication, emphasizing it as a process of sending and receiving messages.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic definition of communication.

Step 3: Introduction to Types of Communication

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Categorization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the two main types of communication: verbal and non-verbal, giving brief introductory examples for each.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note down the two main types of communication.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the broad categories of communication.

Step 4: Verbal Communication

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains verbal communication, focusing on oral communication, and guides pupils to discuss and list its advantages and disadvantages. The teacher writes these points on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by stating advantages and disadvantages of verbal communication and copy notes from the board.
Learning Point: Pupils understand verbal communication, its benefits, and drawbacks.

Step 5: Non-Verbal Communication

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains non-verbal communication, demonstrating various examples like body language and facial expressions, and uses instructional materials such as posters and pictures of signs.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstrations, identify different non-verbal cues, and list examples.
Learning Point: Pupils understand non-verbal communication and recognize its various forms.

Step 6: Class Activity/Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Group Work
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents various scenarios and asks pupils to identify whether verbal or non-verbal communication is being used, or which would be more effective.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the scenarios in small groups and provide their answers, justifying their choices.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding of communication types to practical situations.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Define verbal communication.
2. Give three advantages of verbal communication.
3. State two disadvantages of verbal communication.
4. What is non-verbal communication?
5. List four examples of non-verbal communication.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding both verbal and non-verbal communication for effective interaction, and assigns homework.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask any final questions, and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

• Communication – The process of sending and receiving messages.
• Verbal Communication – Communication using words, either spoken or written.
• Non-Verbal Communication – Communication without words, using gestures, facial expressions, etc.
• Oral Communication – A type of verbal communication involving spoken words.
• Body Language – Non-verbal cues conveyed through physical posture and movements.

Differentiation

The teacher will provide additional examples and visual aids for pupils who may struggle with abstract concepts. More advanced pupils will be encouraged to analyze complex communication scenarios and discuss cultural differences in non-verbal communication.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to actively participate in demonstrations and discussions. Use real-life scenarios relevant to their daily experiences to make the lesson more engaging. Emphasize how these communication types are used in office settings.