Contextualization

Communication is the basis of all human and animal interactions, being a fundamental skill for the survival and development of a society. It presents itself in various forms and can be categorized, in general terms, as verbal and non-verbal.

Verbal language is the transfer of information through words, spoken or written. It is structured and organized by grammatical rules and is the primary means of expression in most human societies. It allows us to express our thoughts, emotions, facts, opinions, and is an essential tool in our formal education.

Non-verbal language, on the other hand, refers to communication without the use of words, that is, through gestures, facial expressions, posture, tone of voice, among others. Although considered less important in our text-centered society, non-verbal language is the primary form of communication in many species and plays a fundamental role in human communication, especially regarding the expression of emotions and attitudes.

Importance

It is essential to understand that verbal and non-verbal language are not two separate entities that operate in isolation, but rather components that work together to form a more complete communication system. They often complement each other to convey a more precise and clear message to the listener.

Non-verbal language serves as a reinforcement for verbal language, providing important clues that can help the listener understand the speaker's intention. In addition, non-verbal language can help express feelings and emotions that sometimes cannot be easily expressed through words.

Considering this, this project aims to explore the different forms of communication, their uses, and properties, in order to deepen students' understanding of this crucial topic.

Practical Activity - 'Languages on Stage: Exploring the Verbal and Non-Verbal'

Project Objective

The objective of this project is for students to develop a theatrical presentation that explores the use of verbal, non-verbal, and mixed languages to convey a message. In addition, students should produce a detailed report documenting the entire process of creation and preparation of the performance, including a critical analysis of the types of language used and their effects on the audience. The project should involve the discipline of Portuguese, focusing on language use, and Performing Arts, focusing on body and visual expression.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 and will be tasked with preparing a brief theatrical presentation of up to 15 minutes. The play's narrative should be designed to incorporate elements of verbal, non-verbal, and mixed language in order to convey its message to the audience. For example, students can explore the use of gestures and expressions (non-verbal language), dialogues and monologues (verbal language), as well as the use of posters, music, or videos (mixed language).

Required Materials

1. Paper and pen for the script.
2. Adequate space for rehearsal and presentation.
3. Any props or equipment necessary for the play (e.g., costumes, lighting, sound, etc.).

Detailed Activity Steps

1. Each group should start by choosing a central theme for the theatrical presentation. The theme can be anything from a social issue to an adventure story.

2. Next, students should create a script that incorporates all three types of language. They should detail what type of language will be used in each scene and why.

3. Once the script is ready, students should rehearse the play, paying special attention to how language is used to convey the central message.

4. The final step of the practical project is the final presentation of the play to the class.

5. Alongside the preparation of the play, students should document the entire process in a report, detailing the decisions made, the difficulties encountered and how they were overcome, as well as a critical analysis of the use of the different types of language.

Deliverables

Students must deliver two final products:

1. The script of the play, which should clearly address where and how each type of language is used.

2. The final presentation of the play to the class.

3. A detailed report, which will be structured as follows:

• Introduction: The theme of the presentation and why it was chosen, as well as a brief description of the project's purpose.

• Development: A detailed explanation of the process of creating and preparing the play, including how each type of language was incorporated into the script. Students should also discuss how the theme influences the use of language.

• Conclusions: Students should reflect on what they learned from the project, as well as the impact of language use on the presentation and audience reception.

• Bibliography: Students should cite all sources consulted during the project.

This comprehensive project should take more than 12 hours to be completed by students and requires collaboration and coordination among group members to ensure success.