Communication Issues in the Elementary Classroom

Educators should expect to manage communication issues.

The elementary school classroom is a breeding ground for more than just germs. It's also a positive atmosphere for social development allowing students to explore what it means to communicate. No matter how much control a teacher appears to have over the classroom, some communication issues are inevitable. Instead of avoiding these problems, it helps to develop effective methods for responding to them.

Personal

Personal communication issues are those that challenge an individual rather than a group of students or the class. These can be identified when children appear to struggle through items that other students do not. Trouble organizing thoughts into sentences, speaking clearly, speaking out loud, or recalling facts from a reading assignment are examples of personal communication issues. Students can be assessed individually for specific areas that might need intervention.

Among Students

Sometimes classroom communication issues occur as a result of clashing among students. While they may not be hostile toward one another, a difference in learning styles or habits can create an environment where students struggle to exchange thoughts and ideas. Some examples are students speaking over one another in outbursts, ignoring the needs of one or several fellow students, lack of listening skills, using inappropriate classroom language, or avoiding socialization with students in the class.

With Teachers

Teachers are equipped with methods for connecting with students effectively. Still, issues can arise when one student or a group of students feels singled out or overlooked in the classroom. The general use of language that is not inclusive can create these issues. For example, scolding a student for speaking with an accent or teaching culturally insensitive material might affect the way a student communicates with the teacher. Nonverbal cues, such as lack of eye contact, can let educators know where a communication issue might exist since students are not likely to verbally reprimand an authority figure.

Disabilities

There are several communication disorders which prohibit students from communicating their needs or participating in the classroom. These can be as unnoticeable as voice disorders such as breathiness or as obvious as autism or chronic stuttering. Dyslexia, hearing disability, cleft lip, and aphasia are more examples. Similar to personal communication issues, these can affect one student only. Yet the student typically requires treatment or therapy for the condition outside of the classroom with a specialist such as a speech pathologist.

References

• West Virginia University: Strategies For Teaching Students With Communication Disorders
• Primary Education Oasis: Types Of Communication In The Classroom
• Speech Pathology: Classroom Communication And Learning Checklist
• University Of Hawaii: Six Ways To Improve Your Nonverbal Communication