TECHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Our success as a teacher is determinate by our ability to communicate our message.

Framework for an effective teaching practice:

Technique (skill) + Style (personal presentation) = Effective teacher presentation


Variety and variability
It is important to vary all the aspects of our performance as teachers. Realize on any part of our repertory as teachers lead to monotony and loss of students interest. It is therefore worth building presentation around blocks of activities with take approximately 15 minutes.
We have to consider variations as strategies, voice, questioning techniques, feedback, assessment, instructional technology, space in the classroom, etc.

Audibility
Students must be able to ear us. Have a rehearsal in the lecture theatre with a collage at the back of the room to check your ability to project your voice.
Problems with the audibility sometimes results from slurring or poor articulation of words. Aim to enunciate as clearly as possible.
Invite students to speak up if they can-not hear you.

Pitch
Variability in pitch will add to the effectiveness of our presentation as long as it does-not become monotonous or repetitious.
A change of peach can be used to indicate the beginning of a new thought.
Articulation and pronunciation
Attempt to pronounce words correctly with proper sounds, emphasis and sequence.

Emphasis
Use the emphasis in the voice to signal to students important concepts.
Changes in emphasis can assist to create more varied and interesting presentation.
Use verbal markers to signal things of importance to students. P.g. “Now this is important” “This is a difficult idea to grasp”

Pause
Pause to give to the students time to think about what you are saying and for you to check your notes.
Students also need time to write adequate notes from your presentation, so ensure that your pause long enough to allow note-taking.
Silence can also be used as an effective method of capturing student`s attention.
Avoid what are called vocal pauses like “uhm”, “you know” etc. Students will be distracted by overuse of such words and sounds.

Energy and Enthusiasm
Your enthusiasm will be conveyed through our voice, gestures and general commitment to what we are doing.

Eye Contact
Maintain eye contact with your students so that you can establish a relationship with them. Eye contact invites them to listen you.
Do not focus on one spot in the theatre allow your eyes to roam the class and look into individual students` eyes.
If is a large group try to move your eyes from one section to other section throughout the classroom. This is useful as a management technique too, students need to know that everybody in the room is being watched, particularly anyone not behaving appropriately.

Gestures and Movements
Do not be afraid of using gestures and movements because nonverbal behaviours have a powerful impact in the classroom.
Use a nonverbal communication to complement never to contradict your verbal communication.
Avoid gestures or mannerism that are repetitive and likely to distract your students.
Do not be afraid to smile, this can make the students fell more comfortable and may assist you in reducing nervousness.

Effective communication demands that you understand the natural of your group and the context for delivery.

I focused my attention in this teacher`s abilities and skills because I consider that I have some of these problems when I give my classes.

SOURCES
Cannon, R. (1988) lecturing. HERDSA Green Guide Number 7. Sydney
Mc.Callion, m. (1988). The voice book. London: Faber and Fever.
McCarthy, P – Hatcher, c. (1996). Speaking persuasively: Making the most of your presentation: Sydney: allen and Unwin.