Research consistently demonstrates that teacher effectiveness is about engagement, levels of interaction, questioning, positive atmosphere, teacher expectations and degree of challenge. At the heart of all these areas is the ability to communicate effectively. How you do that, not just on a day-to-day basis, but minute by minute and second by second, is fundamental to what children learn and remember and to how they behave. The illustrated "Effective Classroom Communication Pocketbook" draws from a wide range of areas, such as psychology, NLP and neuroscience to provide a practical compendium of communication expertise. Using cartoons, diagrams and visual prompts to support the text throughout, the book opens with a look at what highly effective teachers do and offers a four-step approach to improving communication skills. It goes on to explain, with examples, how to use influential language patterns to support learning and positive behaviour; the secrets of body language and non-verbal communication; how to communicate to create the right emotional climate; and, effective questioning techniques, etc. A reflective summary helps readers review the key learning.
Richard Churches is a leading writer, trainer and speaker on communication skills, coaching, and influencing skills for teachers in the UK. Following a 15 year teaching career working with primary and secondary age children in the UK and abroad, Richard is now Principal Consultant for the National Programmes at CfBT Education Trust advising the DCSF and NCSL on a number of major government programmes.