Are you actively listening to what your students say?

         As a parent and teacher I have noticed that people from many different areas are discussing more and more about non-violent communication. Although I am not very familiar with the concept, I have learnt it is basically about talking to people in an empathic and respectful way. It is clear I have to study a lot more about it, for the sake of my kid and my students, and as I was considering my path of action something else caught my attention: Am I a good listener? Do I actively listen to my students' needs and desires?

                                         

               This picture is perfect to illustrate how difficult it is to know what the students expect, to listen to them and actually pay attention to what they need. Depending on your teaching context, you have to teach so many people at the same time and the classes go by so fast there is no time to connect to students, chat for a bit. This is why the ones who are responsible for organizing timetables need to understand that having time to talk to students before entering a content is life changing. When students understand that the teachers care about them and want to know who they are, it is much easier to build rapport and spend quality time together.

                While the discussion about having room to talk to students about their learning process, perspectives and dreams does not move beyond, I am going to post some tips for you:

1. Students deserve to be acknowledged as people, not numbers or clients

Having a teacher who storms in the classroom and does not ask how students are doing and if they are ready to start a new day is really rude. It might sound absurd, but I have faced this situation (as a student) countless times. So, no matter how hard life has been lately, smiling and looking people in the eye will not hurt. 

2. Do you know the reason why your student is learning a foreign language?

Have you ever thought about how many people actually give up learning a new language in the very beginning? I am sure you can think about many factors, but have you ever thought you do not always know what your student expects or needs? 

I have noticed that, specially when following very tight schedules, teachers sometimes forget they are teaching people, not a book or a course. How many times have you asked your students how they learn? If they like to be learners? What they expect from themselves during that learning experience? These questions may help your students think about their duties as learners. Maybe, when you pose these questions, your student might consider that it is possible to build strategies to avoid quitting a course or having unrealistic expectations. 

3. When your students say they do not like something, do you listen to them or take it personally? 

It has happened to me so many times! Understanding a complaint about a class or activity as a personal offense is an attitude that many of us have in a regular basis and do not even think about afterwards. I understand that school's owners and other superiors in many occasions tend to blame teachers for the students who drop-out, and it is unfair in many levels. Nevertheless, we should try to take criticism professionally and make an effort to improve our teaching practice. I know it might be burdensome, but if we do not think about ourselves critically, we may never improve. I myself struggle a lot with this issue!

4. What strategies are you using to listen to your students?

If you have time constraints problems or maybe a student who is too shy to talk to you face to face, having a form or any other source like that is really helpful. Something simple like writing your email on the board and restating that you are available may work as well.

            I hope these tips help you. Bear in mind that, as a teacher, you are someone who can connect to people in such a profound and meaningful way that no one else can. Use your power for the good and listen more. The world says THANK YOU!