TO MATHS MEMBERS:
LESSON ONE, HOW TO BE A STAR TUTOR:
Body
Language And Classroom Management
The core principles we associate with
classroom management—rules and consequences, incentives, and following
through—are important. No doubt about it. The first step for teachers wanting
to improve is to learn how to use them effectively.
By following these principles, your classroom
management plan will be built on a solid foundation. However, to be remarkably
effective, to create the class you really want, you have to learn how to create
leverage.
Leverage simply means having great influence
with your students.
This is where the real power comes from. It
explains how a teacher can take over a classroom of students from a tough
neighborhood, given up on and deemed uncontrollable, and turn them into a dream
class.
It’s the answer to the question, “How was she
able to do that with those kids?”
Leverage makes everything you do as a teacher
easier and more effective, particularly classroom management. The topic of
today’s article, body language, is one way to increase your leverage.
Creating Leverage Through Body Language
Seven percent. That’s how much speaking
impacts your students. The other 93% is attributed to non-verbal communication.
Part of that 93% is the way you use your voice—tone, volume, pace, enunciation,
etc.
The rest is body language.
Your body language has a strong impression on
students. Therefore, it makes sense to use it to your advantage.
What follows is a short list of how to use
body language to gain more leverage with your students. It’s not comprehensive,
but it’s doable. And with regard to cultural differences, the items on this
list are generally universal.
Eye Contact – Eye contact is perhaps the most
powerful way we communicate. A single fleeting look from across the classroom
can speak volumes. Longer eye contact is associated with trust, good feelings,
and rapport—all of which are important leveraging qualities. Be aware, however,
that too much eye contact can be intimidating, especially for shy students. So
although we want to utilize the power of eye contact and should use it often,
we shouldn’t over do it.
Facial Expressions – This one is easy. Smile. A smile makes
communication easier, less awkward, and more persuasive. It’s also a
mood-changer and will evoke warm and happy feelings in both the giver and the
recipient. So let your guard down and smile away.
Posture – A sagging posture displays a lack of
confidence and is associated with weak leadership. To students, it says that
you’re unsure of yourself. They won’t listen to or trust someone who appears
wishy-washy. Walking tall, with your body erect and shoulders straight,
engenders confidence in you as a leader. You then become more believable, and
students are more apt to accept what you say. The difference between telling a
student to go to time-out with a tall comportment versus saying it with a
sagging, defeated posture is night and day.
Proximity – Some classroom management “experts”
recommend standing close to difficult students during lessons. But moving into
someone’s personal space without permission is a show of dominance. It’s
aggressive and antagonistic and is universally perceived as a threat. And
although it may dissuade unwanted behavior during the brief moment you’re
standing there, doing so will give youless leverage and influence in the long run, resulting in more
disruptive behavior. Allow students their personal space. They’ll appreciate
and respect you for it.
Touch – A brief tap on the shoulder or arm of
a student you’re speaking with can elicit a subconscious response that makes
you more persuasive. I know it sounds manipulative, but in reality, all it does
is help build rapport. It’s a natural thing to do when speaking to someone in a
friendly manner. It says: “Hey, I like you, and I want what’s best for you.”
Think about what your typical body language is
communicating to your students and how it’s affecting your classroom management
success. Is it increasing the amount of leverage you have with your students?
Or is it making it more difficult to influence them?
Try out the above recommendations. Use more
eye contact, smile more often, stand up straight, allow your students their
personal space, and use the persuasive power of touch. Take note of how
differently your students respond to you. I know you’ll be pleased.
Also, notice how changing your body language
affects how you feel.
I’m certain you will look and feel more
attractive and confident, resulting in greater leverage with your students and
more effective classroom management.
Liang Jie sign out.
