THE USE OF VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO EFL LEARNERS

Abstract

Effective communication between teachers and students plays a crucial role in the success of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. This study aims to describe the forms and functions of verbal and nonverbal communication used by English teachers during classroom instruction at SMA Negeri 22 Palembang. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach involving two English teachers and forty eleventh-grade students as participants. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, which includes data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that teachers employed various verbal communication strategies, such as giving instructions, explaining materials using code-switching, providing positive feedback, and offering motivational remarks to encourage active participation. Meanwhile, nonverbal communication strategies included gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, vocal intonation, and proxemics, all of which supported students’ comprehension of the messages delivered. The integration of verbal and nonverbal communication proved effective in creating an interactive, warm, and communicative classroom atmosphere that increased students’ confidence and motivation to participate actively.