Learning Journal #18 : Methods Practice

I decided for the methods practice assignment to practice participatory observation of nonverbal communication.  So I decided to observe my Sunday school class because there are a lot of Polynesians (mostly Tongans) in the class and I will be working with Tongans in Tonga.  I thought this would be helpful for me.  Participatory observation includes a place, activity and people.

Place:

This Sunday school class is a Tongan class, which means most of the lesson is taught in Tongan.  The classroom is pretty small, but has just enough space to fit everyone who comes.  There is a chalkboard on the front wall of the room, table and folded chairs.  The room is upstairs, and so it is kind of a walk from the chapel and cultural hall.  The room is located near the bathrooms and the library, and so although it is a walk from sacrament, it is in good distance to those two rooms.  There is only one door in and out.  Everyone had their chairs are faced towards the chalkboard, and so their backs are against the door.  That's nice because people aren't embarrassed to walk in late, as everyone faced the teacher.   

People:

 This Sunday, about 12 people showed up in class, which also included visitors in the ward.  We had the same amount of males and females.  Everyone was either half or full Tongan and could understand the language for the most part.  People came from Hawaii, Texas, California, and Utah.  Our teacher grew up in Vava'u, Tonga and so she knew the language very well.  So there was still diversity within our classroom. 

Activity:

The class always started with a hymn and opening prayer and then continued onto the lesson. The teacher taught in both English and Tongan.  She used the chalkboard to write main points, kept eye contact with the students, and also used hand gestures while explaining things.  Some people participated, while others did not.  I noticed that those who did participate seemed confident as they sat straight up and had eye contact with the teacher.  They also had the scriptures open and were following along with the lesson.  They were engaged in the discussion, and even in other people's comments.  Some who did participate used gestures and hand movements to communicate.  They also used probes such as the nodding probe to show they understood what was taught.  There were a few who did not participate verbally in the lesson.  They still kept eye contact with the teacher, and once in a while would grab their phone and do something on it, and then return back to the lesson.  They either sat back in their chair kind of slouched, or bent over.  When other people were talking they didn't look at them or give any eye contact, but rather they just looked down.  Also when the teacher would ask questions, they would be the first ones to look down or look away. 

Through participatory observation, we can see what kind of person they are.  We can see which ones are the more outgoing, talkative kind, and which ones are the more shy and reserved ones.  This will be very useful in the field as communication is a huge key in my project and the way I will be communicating to them will affect my outcome.