Art of Speaking by Dr.Rajesh Sharma
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How A Teacher Should Speak So Students Listen?
“It’s common for teachers to bemoan the state of listening in their classroom. Sometimes I feel like I’m talking to walls or myself. I say it over and over again, and they still don’t get it. It’s almost as if they’ve completely tuned out of my class.”
But rarely teachers will point to themselves as the reason.Rarely will they use reflective thinking and analyze their own practice.Most of the teachers have the notion that students either listen well or they don’t, and as speaker they have little to do about it.But the truth is, you have a profound effect on listening.
The process is teaching –learning ; speaking – listening i.e. equal weightage to both. Consistency, temperament, likability, clarity, presentation skills, and even tidiness are all important factors but one of the most important factors is how you speak when giving directions and explaining any topic/concept
What follows are three simple changes that can make a big difference.
1. Talk Less
Most teachers talk too much. Their voice is a looping soundtrack to every day—reminding, warning, micromanaging, and guiding students through every this and that.Let the students ask questions. If you cut the amount of talking you do by a third, and focus only on what your students need to know, then what you say will have greater impact.
Your words will reach their intended destination, and your students will begin tuning you in rather than tuning you out.
2. Maintain Pace while Speaking
Teacher is not superfast or slow news reader. You have to maintain good pace with clear pronunciation so student grasp what you are speaking. Very fast or very slow speed will tune the class out.
2. Lower Your Voice
It’s common to increase your volume to get students to listen better. But a loud voice is unpleasant and too easy to hear. It causes them to look away and busy themselves with other things. Always modulate your voice to catch attention.When you lower your voice, however, and speak just loud enough for students in the back of the room to hear, they instinctively lean in. They stop moving and rustling.They read your lips, facial expressions, and body language. By requiring a small amount of effort, your students will listen more intently.
