10 Interpersonal and Intercultural Body Language, Gestures and Etiquette Language Exercises
January 20th 2024
Body language is always an interesting topic for the classroom. Body language and gestures elicit a surprising variety of interpretations. It’s quite fun. And of course, when you add in a mix of cultures, it gets even more interesting.
1 Body language quiz with answers
This is a body language quiz with answers for language learners and for intercultural communication. Students read the description of the body language and write a suggestion for it’s meaning.
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2 Expressing opinions about travel and culture
A vocabulary and critical thinking exercise for discussing travel and culture. Students use the words at the bottom of the page to complete the sentences and then agree/disagree with the statements and give reasons for their choices.
3 Brainstorming the meaning of body language and gestures
A nice easy icebreaker to start a class. Students brainstorm ideas for the meanings of the body language or gesture in each picture.
4 Body language and gestures
This exercise explores gestures as a form of interpersonal communication. I should note that the answers may vary and my answers are just my interpretation.
5 Body language and gestures 2
This is similar to the above but a little more straight forward.
6 Body language and gestures 3 vocabulary exercise (with answers)
The exercise below is for introducing and exploring body language and gestures vocabulary. Students match the vocabulary to the pictures. This can serve as an introduction to a discussion of intercultural communication and body language.
Body language and gestures vocabulary (PDF)
7 Body language, gestures and manners vocabulary dictation
This is exercise is a good way of introducing the vocabulary associated with body language, gestures & manners to learners of the English language. Dictate the vocabulary on Page 2 of the PDF and tell the students to find the appropriate picture and to write the words on the correct picture. Dictate the words randomly. Alternatively, if the students are quite weak scramble the words on the whiteboard.
Body language, gestures and manners worksheet (PDF)
Related Cultural Resources
5 travel and tourism language and vocabulary lessons
8 Brainstorming good and bad manners
This is a great icebreaker and brainstorming exercises for a class about intercultural issues or politeness and etiquette topics.
Brainstorming good and bad manners (PDF)
9 Manners & etiquette speaking skills worksheet (with answers)
This is an exercise for practicing language associated with manners and etiquette. Students look at the pictures and complete the speech bubbles with their own ideas.
Manners and etiquette speaking skills (PDF)
10 Polite vs impolite etiquette language skills worksheet (with answers)
This is an exercise for practicing language associated with manners and etiquette. Students look at the pictures and write sentences with their own ideas.
Polite vs impolite etiquette language exercise (PDF)
11 Hugging, kissing and shaking hands lesson
This is an ESL speaking and writing lesson for practicing basic language for talking about relationships and culture. Learning and understanding the language of relationships, friendship and romance is a pretty fun and easily personalized topic for English language learners. First, students match the pictures with the vocabulary and expressions at the left of the page. Then they can hold short conversations using the example at the bottom of the page as a guide .
Hugging, kissing and shaking hands lesson (PDF)
Other Resources:
10 Jobs and Careers Language Skills Exercises
6 Describing People and Appearance Vocabulary and Language Exercises
8 Business English Vocabulary Exercises
8 Business English Speaking Skill Worksheets
I love these activities!
Thanks so much for the comment. it’s a good topic, I think!