What modes of communication do teachers use with their student?
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Communication is important in our educational systems. Communication is an exchange of information between different people. According to Sutiyatno (2018), “Communication is the basis of all human contact, which is central to human life” (p.1). Communication involves the speaker passing information to the listener. The two main ways of passing information is verbal and non-verbal communications. Sutiyatno (2018) stated that verbal communication is the use of language to pass information while non-verbal communication is the use of expressions and gestures to pass information. Communication can be expressed in different ways for example, expressions through our feelings, thoughts, ideas, skills and knowledge. Thus, communication is an essential part of our lives as it enables us interact with each other.
In a classroom set ap, teaching involves the act of passing educational information from the teacher as the educator to their students. According to Vagel et al. (0218) stated that verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication are essential in a learning environment. According to Sutiyatno (2018), “the way teachers communicate to the students is one of the many factors that help determine effective teaching and how the students perceive the teachers’ communication might affect their effective and cognitive learning and their feeling throughout the learning process” (p.1). The way teachers communicate with their students affects their attitude and perception about their studies by affecting their willingness to learn, thus affecting their school performance. Developing a good and healthy form of communication between teachers and their students makes the learning process and teaching process successful. Teachers enhance effective communication with their students through verbal and non-verbal communication.
Teachers communicate to their students in different ways and one of the ways is verbal communication. Sutiyatno (2018) stated that “in a teaching context, verbal communication can be defined as the relationship that can be achieved through speaking and conversation” (p.1). In oral communication, teachers should be concise, polite, clear and correct when educating their students. Sutiyatno (2018) stated that verbal communication can be divided in to speaking, listening, writing and reading. Speaking is very important in an educational setting as teachers speak knowledgeable words to their students. A study that was conducted showed that “verbal communication gives a significant positive effect on the English achievement of second-year students of informatics department of STMIK Bina Patria Magelang” (Sutiyatno, 2018, P.1). By using humorous language, teachers make the class interesting and enjoyable for the students. Megawat et al. (2020) stated that teachers should use fun words to make the students more active in class. Thus, teachers should choose the word they choose to interact with their students carefully because words can provoke different emotions in students and affect their perception of the subjects, which will, in turn, affect their performance.
Non-verbal communication is another mode of communication teachers use in learning institutions. Non-verbal communication mostly deals with feelings and emotions. Non-verbal communication is mostly neglected in most cases, while, in fact, it is essential in the learning and teaching process. According to Sutiyatno (2018), “communication is definately more than words, and it is important for teachers to understand the nonverbal messages they are sending and receiving in the classroom” (p.1). One example of non-verbal communication that teachers can use is nodding when their students give the correct answer. Megawat et al. (2020). Stated that “there are five categories of nonverbal behaviors of teachers in the classroom. Those are hand gestures, head movements, affect displays, and emblems” (p.2). Teachers are mostly using their non-verbal cues unconsciously. By the teachers using their body language appropriately, it provides meaning information to the students. Sutiyatno (2018) stated that “teacher’s emotional behavior and empathy, their ability to show understanding for their students’ feelings and actions, plays a very great role in making the teaching-learning process more comfortable and successful” (p.1). Thus, a teacher should incorporate non-verbal cues when teaching their students.
In conclusion, both mediums of communication, verbal and non-verbal, are essential when teachers are passing knowledge to their students. A successful teacher is aware of the power of words as it affects the student’s willingness to study, thus affecting their performance. The teacher should use proper words to pass knowledge to their students. Non-verbal communication complements verbal communication as it emphasizes what the teacher is saying. Teachers should initiate, respond and follow up when interacting with their students.
Megawati, W., & Hartono, R. (2020). The Impact of Teachers’ Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication on Students’ Motivation in Learning English. English Education Journal, 10(4), 436-448.
Sutiyatno, S. (2018). The effect of teacher’s verbal communication and non-verbal communication on students’ English achievement. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 9(2), 430-437.
Vogel, D., Meyer, M., & Harendza, S. (2018). Verbal and non-verbal communication skills including empathy during history taking of undergraduate medical students. BMC medical education, 18(1), 1-7.