Communication is an important part of not only learning but life in general. Despite the evolution of technology, the basic component of communication is talking to each other.
Most children nowadays tend to engage more in the digital world, and at times, it can hinder their ability to communicate with kids their age or their parents.
As an educator, it’s also important that you’ll be able to communicate your lessons to them as well as encourage discussions to see their understanding of the topic. You may find these few suggestions useful when encouraging them to speak up.
Cater to different learning styles
Even with the standardized school system, each individual still has their own best way of learning. When you’re only using a few of them, you provide fewer opportunities for them to fully understand the lessons that you’re trying to teach them.
In turn, there’s less motivation for them to participate, much less converse. Letting students know that their way of learning is acknowledged and utilized will encourage them to learn more and at a better rate. Getting help for kids with sensory-processing disorders in Utah will also help you achieve this.
Encourage group discussions
Not all students have the courage to speak about their ideas and opinions in public. If you break it down to smaller groups though, it may present a different result. For them, conversations the best start in pairs or groups of three.
You could begin by picking a certain topic in your class and then letting each group select a certain focus. After that, you can let them discuss what their opinions are on this certain topic. This can start to pique their curiosity and is a great way to let their confidence gain traction.
You can then slowly attempt to have them speak their minds in class. In exchange, everybody gets to listen to how their classmates understand the topic.
Support free thought
One factor that discourages students from speaking in class or talking to their teachers is the limitation and unconstructive criticism that they get in class. Putting them in such a box is like cutting off their education short, and this does no good for their mental development.
The movie Dead Poets Society made a great point about this. In the movie, he was a teacher who encouraged his students to think for themselves while learning the essential things in life and how to “seize the day.”
In the end, the young men understood that there’s more to learn beyond the four walls of the classroom. As a bonus, they’ve even managed to bond as brothers. Finding one’s identity is vital for communication since this is where we find that we have various perspectives and ideas to discuss.
Aside from giving encouragement, it’s also important to understand that getting students to talk is a process. As their teacher, you’ll be their guiding light towards their future and how they learn about the outside world apart from their parents at home.
And with that comes the understanding that the world outside works better with constant communication. Remember, great inventions and innovative concepts all started with a small conversation between people who had simple ideas.
