Litera
Vol. 25 No. 1: LITERA (MARCH 2026)

Forms and functions of nonverbal communication in native and non-native French lecturers’ classrooms

Rohali Rohali (Unknown)
Roswita Lumban Tobing (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)
Siti Perdi Rahayu (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)
Tika Zuleika (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study explores the categories and pedagogic functions of nonverbal communication used by native-speaker and non-native-speaker French teachers teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE). This study used descriptive qualitative method through room-talk analysis to be observed in Yogyakarta State University. There were two non-native lecturers, a man and a woman, the participants. The data were collected from non-participating classes by means of observations, field notes, and audio-visual recordings. The discussion was limited to the following are nine forms of nonverbal communications: body language, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, proxemics, silence, touch, paralanguage, visual-aids and demonstrations. The results argue that these nine lecture delivery modes are key pedagogic resources through which lecturers shape meaning-making, manage class interaction, and develop lecturer-student relational intimacy. The non-native lecturer displays an increased desire for instruction clarity manifested in a more controlled body language, strategically employed silences, and minimized paralanguage. Conversely, the native speaker prefers interactional dynamism, readily employing hand gestures, spatial dynamics, engaging friendly facial expressions and a variety of paralanguage signals. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of nonverbal communication and its role in the co-construction of a multimodal, interactional-based pedagogic context in teaching French at university. Eye contact, posture, touch and visual illustrations are other communicative resources that help to reinforce the dynamics of the classroom interactions.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

litera

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

LITERA is a high quality open access peer reviewed research journal that is published by Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. LITERA is providing a platform for the researchers, academicians, professionals, practitioners, and students to impart and share knowledge in the ...