Successful teachers are those that are intentional about building positive relationships with the students. Striking a balance between respect and creating a close relationship with your students can be difficult, albeit one that can make life in school an enjoyable experience both for the students and the teacher. Students develop confidence and feel that their voice is heard, all of which are necessary for their academic performance success.
At Global Indian International School, Kuala Lumpur, we ensure that our faculty understands the importance of fostering strong relationships with our students to better learning outcomes. They are hands-on and have a wealth of experience in the classroom best practices that create positive relationships with students.
Here are some of the tips that can help teachers build better relationships with their students.
Set Boundaries and provide structure.
As a teacher, you are the authority in the classroom, and setting the right environment for learning will affect your students’ learning outcomes in a significant way. Global Indian International School, Kuala Lumpur recognizes the need for setting boundaries with the students. Establish how friendly you need to be with the students while ensuring a level of respect. Additionally, provide clear structures in the classroom that students can follow. Students thrive when there are proper structures, as it helps them feel safe. Students can understand what is expected of them while they are in the classroom, improving learning and creating a relaxed environment. You must also follow through when boundaries are crossed, so the students understand class procedures’ importance.
Learn student names
It may look like a simple task, but students value the small details. As a teacher, when you learn your students’ names quickly and correctly, you are showing them that you are interested in them as individuals. Create a routine to help you know their names by incorporating them into your teaching. For example, at the beginning of the school year, ask the students to help you pronounce their names correctly. This simple task will help you nurture a strong bond between each student.
Make Learning Fun Through Play
Incorporating play into learning is a fun way of keeping your students engaged at all times. No one wants to be in a class where all they do is note-taking and listening. You are more likely to lose your students due to their short attention spans. When students learn through play, they retain much of what has been taught, which improves their learning outcomes. It’s proved students need less homework help service involvement when they have fun and contentful class in school. Such an environment promotes creative thinking, and learners find joy in learning.
Listen To The Students
Teachers who are approachable and have fostered an environment where students can share freely find it easier to relate to their students. This is because they know and understand the student as an individual. Taking the time to have a small talk with your students is a critical part of building a strong relationship with them. You can take the first five minutes before your class starts to listen to their stories. Students also have a lot of things happening in their lives outside the classroom. Taking some time to listen to them shows that you are interested in their lives outside of the school.
Show Enthusiasm and Passion
Starting the class by greeting the students with a smile sets the right tone for the teaching class. Additionally, when you seem excited and passionate about what you are teaching, it rubs off on the students. You will also find the students taking a keen interest in the content, leading to increased learning.
Use Humor While Teaching
Make learning fun by incorporating jokes in your classroom while teaching. It could take different forms, such as dressing up in a funny costume related to the content you are teaching, or you could laugh at yourself when you make a silly mistake. Students love it when they can have fun while learning as it creates a relaxed environment for them; it also helps to keep them alert during the lesson.
Encourage Effort
Students love to be reassured when they are learning. It encourages them to put more effort, especially in an area they may be struggling with. Teachers who recognize students’ academic needs and take their time to promote action on the student yield better learning outcomes.
Show Respect
Respect in the classroom goes both ways. When a teacher shows respect to the students, they are willing to reciprocate. Avoid yelling or commanding the students when you need them to do something. Instead, deal with an issue professionally but authoritatively. Ensure that you treat all your students the same.
Do not single out a student; instead, if you have a case to deal with, you can have the student remain after the lesson and handle the issue. Fairness and consistency are vital elements that should be considered at all times in the classroom.
