How to Teach Students Effective Communication
Students in the 21st century communicate more than ever. They are seldom out of touch and usually on their cell phones, texting or emailing each other. But even though they communicate so much, they have fewer skills in the important areas of written, oral and interpersonal communication. Their teachers can help them develop these skills by the way they do things in their classrooms.
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Instructions
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Written Communication
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Make it a policy in your class that all written work is expected to follow the standard rules of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Follow through on this policy by grading papers down for errors in these areas. You will be communicating to your students that written communication is important enough for your attention.
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Give your class writing assignments. Several small assignments are more effective for building up written communication skills than one big one at the end of the semester is. These assignments could be research papers, persuasive essays or personal experience narratives.
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Allow rewrites. If your students get graded down for their mechanics or content, allow them to correct their errors by rewriting their papers. That's the only way they can learn the correct way of doing things. Not allowing them to rewrite only reinforces bad habits.
Oral Communication
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Give your students opportunities to practice oral communication. Consider putting an oral element on each test, so you pose questions to the student and they have to answer them.
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Assign a class presentation. Students will get more comfortable with public speaking the more they do it. They will also learn the significant value of preparation in oral communication.
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Let your other students ask questions at the end of the presentation, so your student will have a chance to think on her feet and articulate the ideas in her head.
Interpersonal Communication
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Model effective interpersonal communication in your classroom. Treat your students with respect, dignity and empathy. Don't let your expression or tone convey sarcasm, mockery or exasperation. You set the tone for discourse in your classroom.
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Make students talk to each other. Instead of giving them notes when they are absent, tell them to get notes from classmates. Pose questions to the class and have them turn to neighbors to discuss them briefly.
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Assign a group project. The process of working together and making their needs and expectations known will require them to quickly hone their skills at interpersonal communication.
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Tips & Warnings
Communication is not just an extra requirement stuck on top of your normal coursework. Without communication, none of our disciplines can be learned, taught or advanced.
Students will object to your strict stance on mechanics in writing. Do not let them persuade you to change your policy. If they can't effectively communicate what they've learned, they might as well not be in class at all.
