Teaching 'younger learners' training session (24-11-08)

This was a great training session. We looked at Communication Strategies. First recapping the previous session regarding verbal communication and then going on to discuss non verbal communication (NVC). It was really interesting to find that a huge percentage of all communication is non verbal. I came away with these 'top tips for the classroom'!

• Be assertive
• Be authoritative
• Don't be passive or aggressive
• Challenge phrases like "I can't do..." and "I don't like..."
• Make eye contact with students and gesture, when asking them to do something. Use their name too.
• Don't shout or speak to quietly
• Be clear steady and clear
• Make eye contact when addressing students but don't glare
• Use open hand movements
• Keep your head up and smile when pleased

*Avoid giving students the choice of not handing in work say...

"Would you like to hand it in now or at the end of the lesson?"

*Don't say "Is it ok if you..." or "Do you think you can..."