Optimistic language can change the way the children learn
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. (Nelson Mandela)
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Communication, especially the effective communication is a vital life skill. It helps people to transact his day to day activity. To be a successful communicator one needs to have the ability to use language judiciously to communicate the message accurately, clearly as intended.
Communication is the interchange of ideas, thoughts and concept from one mind to another. Teachers use it in the classroom to share and develop understanding in the classroom. While delivering lecture in class many of us are unaware that we are addressing the minds and hearts with this powerful tool and hence are not very mindful of the choice of words.
Our language, as teachers, reflects and shapes not only how we see others but also how they ultimately see themselves. Our words must convey faith and optimism.
Using optimistic language in the classroom can change the way the children learn and respect themselves and the others.
A simple reframing of the words in our sentence, the way we address the students, can bring about a leap of change in their understanding.
As for example if we replace the words “problem student” with “student whose behavior I find challenging,” “low-performing students” to “students currently underperforming,” will bring change in student’s attitude and he will work to improve his behaviour.
The kind of language that the students use also can reflect the thoughts that they have about themselves and help the teacher to moving them away from negativity to positivity.
For example, if a child is struggling with a new concept he may say, “I’m never going to be able to understand this.” Here the teacher can help the child by correcting his sentence as such “you are having trouble with this today”
“We lost the game because we did not play well” To “We lost because the other team were better on the day.”
Teachers have the opportunity to reframe students’ pessimistic statements into more optimistic ones.
The power of optimism cannot be underestimated and the long-term benefits for students and teachers alike are significant.
Hence reframe pessimistic words with powerful optimistic words for a fruitful engagement of learning and understanding.
Tasneem Khan
(Content Developer)
MSRF, Corporate Office
