Speaking is what we do as teachers. To do it well is the first step in becoming and being a fine teacher. It is assumed that teachers will automatically be good speakers. This is often not the case. It takes practice to become a good speaker.
I often advised the trainee teachers under my supervision to join a public speaking club to learn the secrets of speaking well. A teacher must practise good delivery over and over again and be critical of how he/she speaks at all times. Remember, you are the example of speaking that your students see every day. You must use the language of your subject/s disciplines well and often.
Becoming involved in a public speaking club called Rostrum (the British version of Toastmasters) for many years, I watched many great speakers and learnt what makes a good speaker. In the article below, I have listed those strategies that I feel apply to the classroom situation and are important for young teachers to know for them to become good speakers.
1. Face your class before you begin to speak. This allows you to make eye contact with your class, helping ensure the class is ready to listen.
2. Make sure there is light on your face for students to see your lips and facial expressions. Your facial expressions add meaning and emphasis to what you say.
3. Don't shout when you are in a teaching/speaking situation. However, add colour to your voice. Use pause or slow down your words or raise your voice to create a feeling of importance in what you are saying.
4. Speak more slowly when teaching than your normal conversational speech. This allows students more time to absorb the meaning of what you are saying.
5. Avoid noisy backgrounds. This distracts the students and lessens their concentration.
6. Get the point across quickly. Don't over explain the new idea.
7. Use the 'KISS' principle: 'Keep it simple, stupid'.
8. Be enthusiastic about what you teach. Show your love for the subject and that you enjoy what you are doing.
9. When your class seems 'lost', begin again, rephrasing what you are saying.
10. Watch your audience closely and react to their body language as it will tell you how successful you are with your presentation.
11. Get the attention of your audience with a strong or interesting or controversial opening.
12. Use body language, facial expressions and gesture to help to get your message across and to emphasise the important points or issues.
13. If you are nervous, take a few deep breaths before you start. This nervousness may occur early in your career or when you begin to teach a new topic. However, once the lesson gets underway, this nervousness will disappear.
I often advised the trainee teachers under my supervision to join a public speaking club to learn the secrets of speaking well. A teacher must practise good delivery over and over again and be critical of how he/she speaks at all times. Remember, you are the example of speaking that your students see every day. You must use the language of your subject/s disciplines well and often.
Becoming involved in a public speaking club called Rostrum (the British version of Toastmasters) for many years, I watched many great speakers and learnt what makes a good speaker. In the article below, I have listed those strategies that I feel apply to the classroom situation and are important for young teachers to know for them to become good speakers.
1. Face your class before you begin to speak. This allows you to make eye contact with your class, helping ensure the class is ready to listen.
2. Make sure there is light on your face for students to see your lips and facial expressions. Your facial expressions add meaning and emphasis to what you say.
3. Don't shout when you are in a teaching/speaking situation. However, add colour to your voice. Use pause or slow down your words or raise your voice to create a feeling of importance in what you are saying.
4. Speak more slowly when teaching than your normal conversational speech. This allows students more time to absorb the meaning of what you are saying.
5. Avoid noisy backgrounds. This distracts the students and lessens their concentration.
6. Get the point across quickly. Don't over explain the new idea.
7. Use the 'KISS' principle: 'Keep it simple, stupid'.
8. Be enthusiastic about what you teach. Show your love for the subject and that you enjoy what you are doing.
9. When your class seems 'lost', begin again, rephrasing what you are saying.
10. Watch your audience closely and react to their body language as it will tell you how successful you are with your presentation.
11. Get the attention of your audience with a strong or interesting or controversial opening.
12. Use body language, facial expressions and gesture to help to get your message across and to emphasise the important points or issues.
13. If you are nervous, take a few deep breaths before you start. This nervousness may occur early in your career or when you begin to teach a new topic. However, once the lesson gets underway, this nervousness will disappear.
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