Modeling and Teaching Effective Communication Skills

Another teaching approach that sets me apart from other instructors is consciously modeling and teaching effective communication strategies in both written and oral communications. This is something I adopted from a fellow teacher who once shared her belief that “people do better when they feel better.” She believes this concept can and should apply to college instruction: given the highly complex and personal nature of composition, I agree. This principle underlies all of my communications with students, especially in tense student-teacher interactions, like when a student is concerned about a grade. I find that modeling and teaching effective communication skills leads to a smoothly-run classroom where everyone can feel comfortable sharing their writing and ideas.