Jacqueline Cavazos

English 12D

Reading Response

March 1, 2016 

Nonverbal Communication

When working with students in the Writing Center, we can get so focused on what we’re saying that we forget what we didn’t say. Although we may not notice it, our nonverbal communication speaks just as loud as our verbal communication. The article, Writing Lab Tutors: Hidden Messages that Matter by Grace Ritz Amigone, talks about the importance of our nonverbal communication when working with students. This article opened my eyes to notice what we communicate nonverbally, when we are helping students.

At the Writing Center, we want to create an inviting environment where students feel comfortable. Part of that is by our nonverbal communication. If we have a smile our face and welcome students when they come in, then this will communicate a positive feeling towards them. One thing that I found interesting in this article was how it mentioned the importance of space between us and the student that we work with. It states, “If tutors lean in too close to their clients, they appear to be crowding them, and clients may retreat both physically and mentally. But just as crowding can trigger aversive behavior, so withdrawal can signal an attempt to isolate oneself” (25). I never realized before how important the distance between us and the student is, and what it communicates.

It is also important to be aware of what we are doing unknowingly when we are working with a student. We might be looking around, shuffling our feet, or moving around in our chair. These are examples of nonverbal communication that we might not even be aware of. However, it is important to notice if we do these things, because of what they could communicate. “Another expression of disapproval or impatience is drumming the fingers’ on the table, checking one’s watch, clicking a ballpoint pen, doodling, or gazing off into the distance. All of these signal boredom or inattention” (26). Doing these things could also be annoying to the student or even distracting to them.

Overall, it is really important to pay attention to our nonverbal communication as a writing tutor. Our goal is to help the student, so if we are nonverbally communicating a negative vibe, then the student will definitely notice. If we pay attention to our nonverbal communication in our next session, then we can learn how to improve.

Link to the article: http://casebuilder.rhet.ualr.edu/wcrp/publications/wcj/wcj2.2/wcj2.2_amigone.pdf