Communication Skills for Teachers

Dr. Dilip BaradDept. of English, Bhavnagar University

dilipbarad@gmail.com5th May, 2009: Friday

ASC, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

Plan of Action• Introduction: What is communication? • Importance of communication – esp for teachers?• Why/how teachers fail – bulgaria? Penny• Important points to be a good communicaitor in the classroom… • Types of learning styles: • Follow-up action in communication with the help of technology –

sms/email/scrap/tweet/forum/• Uploading lesson plans/classroom presentations on

websites/SIGs-yahoo- Google• Real life situation: Group activity: Discuss your communication

problems and how you try to overcome them?

Myth Vs RealityCommunication Myths Communication Reality

Communication is a conscious / deliberate process. (e.g. Osho’s visit to disciple, father-2 son,)

Communication is an unconscious process and it goes on at every moment of time!

We communicate primarily through ‘words’ only. (Vodafone)

We communicate through ‘verbal’ as well as ‘non-verbal signs.

Words mean the same to everyone. (Pardon, women)

Meaning of the words lies more in perception of reality. (Idea ? EduSpread or joblessness)

Communication is a one-sided process and it is controlled by communicator.

Communication is a two-way process and it always happens, controlled by none.

Message sent and message received are the same. (see next slide for e.g.)

Transmission and reception of message can never be identical.

http://www.towerofpower.com.au/the-greatest-15-myths-of-communication

Introduction:

• Morgan, Algiro L. in his paper ‘Communication Skills for Teachers’

• “One of the most neglected aspects of teacher training is thorough preparation in the diverse communication skills that are needed by good teachers in today's schools.”

Why doe he say so and what does he mean by it?

• Why: What do you mean by communication?• Peter Little: “Communication is the process by which

information is transmitted so that an understanding response results.”

• Lyndsay Swinton: “It's not about whizzy powerpoint slides or wordy reports. Effective communication is about being understood.”

• Success comes in direct proportion to the command one has over communication.

• Knowledge is power – but it is potential power – it should be acted upon – otherwise . . .

Algiro Morgan

• “Pre-professional teachers require a grounding in communication theory, a thorough knowledge of how children acquire competence, an understanding of how language is used, an ability to discern and to respond sensitively to the body language used in a communicative transaction, rhetorical skills for the organization and delivery of specific knowledge and skills, and a grounding in group dynamics and group discussion skills.”

Communication Skills for teachers

• Teaching is generally considered – – 50% knowledge and – 50% interpersonal or communication skills.

• What consists of this communication skills?

Six Important Points: CS 4 T• Positive Motivation: create interest, enthusiasm, remove

fear and inhibition.• Effective Body Language: Gestures, body movement with

verbal skills – never sit and teach - Moving in aisles.• Sense of Humor: do not confuse dirty jokes with humour.• Understanding the Students: prefer dialogue over

monologue – listen students’ opinion.• Team Formation: helps in mutual

understanding students as well as teacher.• Technical skills: Up-to-date with latest

techno-tools for teaching.

Is it as easy as it is said???

• No… it is not that easy. To learn to communicate is a difficult task.

• Some teachers can produce the effect – quite effortlessly…. Others die hard to, but never succeeds!!!

• Are teachers born or made???Penny Ur – 1997,

conference presentation:

Penny Ur - 1997

• In this respect she identifies some essential qualities, which relate to teaching rather than other professions:

• – I sense where the learner is at, what their problem is: I feel what

they know and what they don’t know.– I know how to transform what I know about the language into a

form that is accessible to my learners– I know how to design and administer activities and exercises that

will foster learning– I know when learning is and is not happening by the way the

learners behave: I don’t need tests– I get my ‘buzz’ from when the students succeed, learn, progress

Very important to remember whil teaching: various Learning Styles:

• Auditory Learner: It is a learning style in which a person learns through listening.

• Visual Learner: Itis a teaching and learning style in which ideas, concepts, data and other information are associated with images and graphs/charts/playcards.

• Kinesthetic Learner: It is a teaching and learning style in which learning takes place by the student actually carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or merely watching a demonstration.

How to identify them?

• Auditory Learner:

• Visual Learner:

• Kinesthetic Learner:

Use of technology as follow-up actions in communication skills

• Pedagogy is evolving with newer technological aids for better communication in classroom.

• Various ICT components helps teacher in enhancing their skills in teaching.

• It also has its deep rooted impact on the learning of the students.

• Here, we discuss how can we sharpen our communication skills by using it for follow-up actions?

• SMS, email, scrap, tweet, chat, web spaces, SIG, etc can be used effectively for:– Replying questions of the students– Solving their doubts/queries etc– Giving some task for next class in advance– Having group discussion out of the class– Uploading lesson presentation to web

spaces– Running web sites with LMS to check

students progress– Managing e-groups (SIGs) – file

upload, poll, discussion, photos etc.

Real life classroom problems in communication !!!

• Group activity:• Discuss with your partners some of

communication crisis you faced in your classroom and how did you manage to overcome it?

• The group representative will present the report of their discussion.

• 20 mins for discussion• Each group representative will get 5 mins to

present their discussion.

Thank You…

• Questions???? • Before you ask, please view next slide!• References• Cullen, R., 1998, “Teacher talk & the classroom context”, ELTJournal 52/3• Gower,R., Phillips,D. & Walters,W. 1995, Teaching Practice Handbook, Heinemann• Malamah-Thomas, A. 1987, Classroom Interaction, Oxford University Press• Ur, P. ,1997, “Are teachers born or made?”, IATEFL UK conference proceedings• http://searchwarp.com/swa10270.htm• http://www.latitudes.org/articles/learn01.html• http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-teach-tactile-kinesthetic.html• http://www.educ.uvic.ca/epls/faculty/rowles/301.htm• http://www.studyingstyle.com/auditory-learners.html• http://www.wikipedia.com• http://www.abbahomeschool.com/typestyle.html

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