My compelling question is: How do I develop listening skills in classroom teaching.
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Abstract
The importance of listening There are three main reasons why teachers should pay attention to their listening skills. First of all, to create an appreciate classroom learning environment. “Children will learn most effectively when there are frequent opportunities for collaborative talk with teachers and with fellow pupils.” The teaching quality of a class is largely depended on the teachers’ willingness of listening. When teachers show strong intention to listen to students’ voice, students will be more willing to speak their personal opinions as well as participate more in the class activities. “Direct interaction between a student and a teacher about academic content is associated with increased engaged time and higher achievement.” In traditional classroom, teachers do 70% of the talking, leaving very limited time for students to make voice in the class. Therefore, listening skills is an important aspect to evaluate a successful teacher. Another aspect that teachers should listen more to their students is to cultivate students’ patience. Puberty age students are known to be energetic, sensitive and impatient. While listening to students, teachers set an good example of listening to others in patience for students. Students in Japanese class have learned how to listen to the other students since young. The teachers and students contribute the same in the class. When one student finished his or her talking, the other students listen carefully before they continue the topic. Every student’s opinion is fully respected and listened. All the students have learned to listen to others first before talk. By doing so, students will be fostered a good sense of communication and conversation skill. The effectiveness of listening skills helps students build a more efficient communication atmosphere. This habit shows the power of teaching. The heart of the teaching transaction is skilled oral communication. Teachers must consistently practice these skills and encourage the practice of them by their students. The last reason is related to students’ study performance. Schools have tried many ways to improve students’ academic performance including their classroom study efficiency, after class review quality, and most importantly, the testing result. Education is a process of passing knowledge. However, when students feel they are forced to accept the knowledge they are not interested in, it will result in a low study efficiency. This negative study attitude has made study more a mission than a need. The key to release this passive study mood is to spend more time on listening to students pursue in the class. Even when students are not satisfied with their courses, they are still learning. In another word, they participate in the class in their own way. The negative signals they release is an indicator to remind teachers to stop talking and listen to what they say. By listening to students, teachers could address the teaching target more effectively and specificity. After an in-depth study of the things that could be associated with teachers listening to students more often, I could conclude that listening to students talk about learning can help them become more active partners in their own education, more engaged in the classroom, and better positioned to succeed. There are several things that students would like to talk about when it comes to learning. They wanted teachers to know that the teachers must consider what is the best approach they could use to improve the quality of learning experienced by the students. |