How Can I Explain?
Leon Lentz
????English teacher ????founder/CGO/trainer Leon's ?? grammarCORE & author of ?? ONE RULE ENGLISH: Why Grammar S*cks & How to Fix It ????discover the One Rule approach for English teachers
It's a Two-way Street!
The name Yusuf Islam may not ring a bell, but you've probably heard his music. Long ago, he turned away from music and fame and even sold his guitars. Later, he started singing again, and 2020 saw a new version of his 1970 success album and the song Father and Son. I'm talking about the man formerly known as Cat Stevens.
Singing along with his songs on the radio is great fun, but I also find the lyrics of Father and Son interesting. It's about a father who means well but can't reach his son. It's about a son who feels his father doesn't listen to him.
There's one line spoken by the son that says it all: From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen. It's a typical generation gap situation. It's also a situation you'll find in many schools, with teachers who think they know best and mean well, but who forget to listen to their students.
The son's conclusion is: I know that I have to go away. It's an understandable reaction, but when it comes to our students, we'd like them to stay.
So instead of insisting on knowing best, better make it a two-way street. If students know that they're being heard and taken seriously, they'll be curious about what you have to say as well.
Teaching is so much more than transferring knowledge. Effective teaching can never be a one-way street and I firmly believe it always starts with connecting.
Like, comment and share if you enjoyed reading this GrammarBob post.
GrammarBob's continuing mission: to boldly go where no grammar has gone before and make essential English grammar easy for all.
Coming soon: brand-new website GrammarBob.ONE
Intercultural executive trainer for corporate clients: supplying training and coaching in leadership and intercultural business
3 年That song is a life lesson indeed
English Language Teacher
4 年On point! Much like when going to the doctor. I remember once I went to a doctor, and when I was describing my symptoms, she didn't seem to be listening. Least to say, I didn't take the meds she gave me. The same happens with the teacher, the student won't take the knowledge and skills you give them.
Education Content Developer at Pearson
4 年Agree! I believe that making connections is the path to life Long learning and it starts with making connections with who is teaching them. It's why virtual schooling is not working for many who feel disconnected. Great article!
Helping Committed English Learners Unlock Effective English Communication Through Structured Conversational Practice
4 年Definitely. Knowing that knowledge we impart will provide our students with lots of benefits throughout their lives is what makes us feel good and even proud.??And, that is an amazing and a wonderful thing most teachers would agree about, I guess. ?Yet, the practice shows that those who teach are often inclined to forget that the emotions, the way how we make our students feel all the while, are equally important as their knowledge itself. ?Making them feel good about learning, questioning, exploring instead of feeling miserable and unhappy would make the whole ‘mission’ a far worthier one. ?