Abstract:
In the light of evidence concerning the positive impact of teachers' non-verbal behaviour on pupils' attention; motivation and overall confidence, training programmes were designed to increase teachers' awareness of non-verbal behaviour and to examine their non-verbal expressive skills. Most training methods address the narrower aspects of non-verbal behaviours without attempting to influence the underlying psychological constructs. The present training programme sought to achieve broader and deeper effects through play and game-like exercises (Interactional Improvisational Method) in a laboratory setting. Results of replicated studies showed that non-verbal expressiveness improved and changed when the focus (Element of Behavioural Training) was incorporated in the exercises. Changes in the global dimension clarity were obtained independently of this focus. Two other direct variables (sensitivity and interest) remained unaffected.