Many learning providers have learners from other countries.

In contrast to western codes for smiley faces, eastern emoticons can be read without tilting the head.

Here is a selection that may help practitioners understand their 'eastern learners emoticons'.

• Smile for happiness (^_^) or (^.^)

• Open mouth for laughing or singing (^o^)

• Wink for joking (`_^) or (^_~)

• Closed eyes for sadness or sighing (-_-)

• Lowered head for bitterness or disappointment (._.) or (,_,)

• Sweat drop for nervousness or embarrassment (^_^’)

• Big eyes for wonder (seriously?) (0.0) or (O_O)

• Beaked lips for a kiss (^x^) or (^3^)

• Blushing for embarrassment (^///^) or (>///<) or (o///o)

• Crossed out eyes for death (X_X)

• Tears for sadness and crying (;_;) or (T_T)

• Distorted eyes for pain, failure or frustration (>_<) or (>.<)

• Closed eyes and zzZ for sleeping (-_-)zzZ

• Headphones for listening to music d^_^b or d-_-b

• Distorted eyes for annoyance (>_>)

I must say I like most of these.

d^_^b