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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Here are five talking tips for some of the most influential people in our society, teachers.
1.Voice: Your voice is your most important tool; use it to engage your students. If you are monotone, it may convey that you are not enthusiastic about your topic, so you will never be able to get them excited.
Don’t confuse volume for pitch. Female teachers should be conscious of their pitch. You need volume to be heard, but a high pitched voice can be very irritating. Volume comes from air supported by your diaphragm. A high pitch sounds like you are pushing sound through the top of your head, try imagining you are pushing your voice through your chest for a more controlled sound.
Speak clearly, practice your best diction and enunciation with your students. You will be easier to understand, especially if you have a foreign accent.
2.Speech: The classroom is the ideal environment to use your best speech. Firstly, it conveys that you are truly a professional and secondly it is the example we want to set for our students. Sloppy speech may communicate that what you are doing is not that important to you or you don’t think the students are important enough to give your best. Colloquialism, slang and dialect are informal and relaxed and don’t create an environment where students are expected to be on their toes.
3. Body Language: Be aware of your body may be saying when dealing with students. They are very astute and they are reading you. Smile often, but do not diminish a serious situation by smiling when you need to be taken seriously. Give your students eye contact. When they come to your desk to talk to you, stop and acknowledge them with your eyes. It makes them feel like they matter and you care. Female teachers should avoid body language that may make them seem girlish like standing with their ankles crossed or twirling their hair, especially if you teach high school boys.
4. Words: Keep your words positive. When you can, avoid negative words like no, don’t and can’t.
Instead of telling your students what they can’t do, tell them what they can do. Learn to deliver bad news in a positive way.
5. Mindset: If you don’t believe in your students or expect anything from them, that mindset will be communicated through the words you choose, your tone of voice, your body language and more. You cannot pretend. If you want to see them rise, you have to sincerely believe they can. Call attention to their redeeming qualities and the value you see in them. Never verbalize the negatives. Teachers are in a position of influence. Challenge yourself to inspire your students. You can do this once they know that you truly care about them. If you call them rude, they will have to live up to it. If you call them a hard worker they will become it. Remember you have the power to redirect lives. Have a great school year.
Check out the FULL SERIES of articles by Kim
Kim Welcome CEO of
Influential Voice works with progressive companies and individuals who
are concerned that unrefined communication skills may be hindering their
growth and advancement. She helps them to increase their power to
influence for greater productivity and impact. For more info visit www.influentialvoice.com. For a Free Speech & Voice Evaluation email info@influentialvoice.com.
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