Teaching: Communication process in Teaching

Communication is interaction in one form or the other, either by visual or auditory symbols. Communication actually involves the interaction of one or more people saying or doing something which will attract reactions in the minds of other people. Symbols such as words or gestures are the things that people use to communicate. 

A symbol is valid for communication when those using the symbol know what meanings the symbol represents. Therefore, meanings are normally attached to the symbols. 

A symbol is defined as the entire set of reactions that are called up in a person's mind when he uses that symbol. Meanings are defined as the entire set of reactions called up to mind by a symbol. 

More than one meaning can be associated with a symbol, likewise more than one symbol can be associated with a meaning. Again, it has to be noted that, meanings are attached in the mind of the person being communicated to, they are not contained in the symbols that are set by the person who is communicating. 

Communication could simply be defined as the dynamic, unique process of calling up meaning by the use of symbols. It can also be defined as "the transmission, transfer or exchange of ideas, knowledge, belief or sharing of ideas and feelings in a mood of mutuality.  

Communication process in Teaching

From the time a person wakes up from sleeping g in the morning, to the time he goes back to sleep at night he will be engaged in communicating with people and other living things around him. 

Much of his communication will be by the use of language because it is the common core of experience. He also communicated non-verbally by expressing himself through the clothes he wears, his body movements, the environment he functions within and his facial expressions. 

This non-verbal communication can be defined as the process by whicheanings are called up by non-word symbols. In other words, non verbal communication is simply the way people express themselves not by what they say but by what they do.

Non verbal communication can serve purposes which verbal communication cannot. A person may even choose not talk or write to any but his silence definitely communicates something. 

Some of the basic types of non verbal symbols systems include:

1. Gesture and body movement: these are referred to as body language and they are cues used in expressing feelings. People can picture in their minds the movements associated with such characterisation as being sure of one's self, being hesitant and unsure, or hands on hips and arms crossed in front of the chest indicating a strong opinion or being closed to others. 

2. Facial expressions: the face is an important area of non verbal communication. The face is believed to be the primary site for communicating emotions. Facial expression reflects interpersonal attitudes, provides on verbal feedback on the comments of others and it is regarded by most people as the number one source of information next to speech. Facial expressions is generally universal for example, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise are performed similarly all over the world. 

3. Eye Contact: eye contact plays an important role in establishing relationships between people. The most significant messages communicated by eye contact are showing threat, encouraging feedback, need for involvement, inclusion or affiliation, opening communication channel, reducing psychological distance, making other people feel uncomfortable and avoidance of social contact, etc.

4. Physical Appearance: the first reaction of people to a person in most cases will defend on his physical appearance because people generally relate physical appearance to personality. 

5. Clothing: clothing is directly related to physical appearance and it influences self and interpersonal assessment and communication. It is quick to realise that individuals purchase clothes in terms of the impact those choices will have on his or her minds. 

6. Touch: is regarded to be the most restricted form of all non verbal communications particularly between different sexes. The commonly used communications through touching are patting a person on his shoulder, holding a person's hand, putting an arm around the waist of a child or embracing a loved one such as a relative or an intimate friend. 

The teaching and learning process is also a process of communication. For example from the time a teacher enters a class to teach, his physical appearance, the type of clothes he wears a class to teach, his physical appearance, the type of clothes he wears,  the expression of his face and the way he moves into the classroom will definitely communicate something to the students. The teacher will then give his instructions using language and writing (verbal messages), and gestures (non verbal messages). 

On the other hand, the students will be responding to the teachers instructions through darling more explanations, asking questions, changing their facial expressions and making certain characteristic movements of nodding or shaking their heads to show whether they are understanding the teachers explanations or not. The students also stop other students from disturbing the class by either talking to the students or just looking at them. 

Since it is realised that the processes of teaching and learning is a process of communication, it is therefore very important for teachers to understand the full meaning of communication.