Effectiveness of Kinesics among Saudi undergraduate EFL Students: How do Paralinguistics Impact the Pedagogical Practices in an ESOL Classroom?

Abstract

Kinesics is a paralinguistic feature that helps convey a message quickly, especially in a TESOL environment. Kinesics is one of the main features of paralinguistics, which comprises various nonverbal fundamental elements. In this study, researchers collected the data regarding the effectiveness of kinesics for ESOL learners using a questionnaire with a sample of 385 instructors and learners from Saudi Arabian universities. Two hypotheses were tested: integrated kinesics significantly impacts learner-oriented proximity, and integrated kinesics features have a substantial effect on instructor-oriented proximity. SPSS was used to scrutinize the collected data. Regression analysis and descriptive statistic methods were used to check the frequency and reliability of the data and the variation of the results. The study’s findings indicate a significant impact of integrated kinesics features on learner-oriented proximity and instructororiented proximity. Using kinesics features in TESOL is very effective. It is concluded that kinesics is an inseparable part of the lecture room’s learning and teaching process. It is an integral part of teaching ESOL that should not be neglected.