Question 8(c): Factors Of Unequal Educational Opportunities Communication Problems

Reflect

“How many times have students in your school misunderstood directions, or

left class without a clear idea of the next day’s task or even their homework

for the day? How many kids about exactly what learning behaviour is

expected, preferred, accepted, allowed and valued?”

(Ramsey, 2008, p. 2, in ‘Twenty Biggest Communication Mistakes School Leaders Make and How to

Avoid Them’)

Communication Problems in Classroom

Communication barriers in the classroom make it difficult for students to get the most out of their education.

Factors :

1. Language problem

2. Lesson

3. Personality

1. Language Problem

Students with unaddressed language or speech difficulties often have trouble communicating with teachers and classmates

Unable to organize their thoughts using the classroom language – rely on gestures rather than words to communicate.

Effects

1.Struggles to

communicate

2. Shyness / low self - esteem

3.Refuse

interactions

4. Dominated by other students

5. Fear of

embarrassment

6. Slow language

skill development

7. Left out of the

learning process

How to overcome?

Develop individual education plans for struggling students. Consult special education teachers / counsellors

2. Lesson

Boring lessons

Communication breakdown

Not motivated / uninterested

Not engaged in the lesson activities

Outdated, routine activities

Effects

Boredom creates communication barrier, where students do not feel the need to interact with their teachers.

Teachers – when students don’t communicate, or refuse to communicate, it will be hard to monitor students’ learning progress.

How to overcome? Students don’t need to be entertained all day, but teachers should

try to…1. Develop engaging lessons – involve all students 2. Vary teaching strategies / approach 3. Thought – provoking questions (use HOTS)4. Integrate ICT in teaching & learning 5. Projects, presentation (any other activities that require students to

communicate/ interact)

3. Personality

Personality differences and peer pressure add to the mix, making some classroom interactions feel awkward or forced.

Peer pressure – verbal bullying (also related to language problem) Teachers’ personalities may also caused communication problems Students who don’t want to connect on a personal level with their

teachers often avoid communicating with them, and vice versa.

Effects • Students who crave closeness and acceptance

often strive to gain teachers’ attention, resulting in unconsciously ignoring other students who rarely communicate with the teacher.

Teachers’

personality

• Frustrates teachers who attempt to create successful communication for educational purposes.

• Peer pressure – fear to communicate

Students’

personality

How to overcome?

Establish a conducive environment – teachers must recognize signs of personality differences among students and understand the factors behind it, then strive to find a healthy balance without showing partiality or favouritism.

Peer pressure case – use reward system for good behaviour.