Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Confidence
So, I was recently critiqued on one of my "classes" that I taught, and the main portion of the reply noted my lack of confidence. While I realize that I was not completely confident, I feel as if I was decently confident in the critiqued class. I began to think perhaps the reason I seemed unconfident was because of much of my phrase and word choices. Phrases such as, "If you please", "Perhaps/maybe", and my personal favorite "I feel like...." I realized I use these phrases in my everyday speech, so why wouldn't it just be considered an act of politeness? As my mentor told me, it's not that [you're] being rude by simply telling students to do something a certain way, that's just how it is. I started to realize I was too fearful of the students wanting to rebel whenever I told them directly to do something (i.e. move their desks, turn in a paper, stop freewriting, etc).I remembered back to when I was a freshman and started to recollect my feelings toward the teacher when they told me up front to do or not do something. It dawned on me that I never had any negative feelings towards the teacher, nor did I want to rebel against what they told me to do. Perhaps it is just the current generations mentality of "You can't control me. You can't tell me what to do" that has seeped its way into my brain and makes me want to be overly careful not to be forceful. Perhaps I just need to channel my inner Julie Andrews and stroll into class with the tune of "I have confidence" in my head- it wouldn't be a bad idea, right? (As long as I don't actually sing the song?)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Personally I think it is fine to "request" that students do things, rather than direct them to do it, as long as the language is still clear regarding whether you truly consider it optional or not. Students seem to choose whether they are going to do what is asked based on the activity itself anyway. I say "I would like to hear from everyone today" and there are still some people that aren't prepared. I could say "Everyone needs to contribute today" and would probably get the same response. I think it is entirely possible to use phrases like "I feel like," as you mentioned, and still be conveying assertiveness. I am sure you did great, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteYeah, exactly. That's really what you need to do. You need to do what's best for you to gain confidence. I've always said that teaching is 2% content, 98% acting. By acting confident, you project that image to your students. (And I know you, C. You're a fantastic actress!)
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's nothing wrong with being polite about your requests, as long as you project the image of being in charge. This just takes time to develop!
I think that politeness and mutual respect are necessary in classrooms. When my mentor sat in on a class of mine earlier in the semester, he told me that I seemed confident and on top of things. While seeming confident, I didn't lose my way of speaking to others. I am, generally, a pretty polite person and this doesn't go away when I talk to students. At the beginning of class, I always ask my students to put their cellphones on silent and put them away. Beyond this civil request, the students understand that it is time to get started in class and that cellphones in class are prohibited most days (as stated in the syllabus). The only time my politeness is broken is whenever I am having to talk over students. If this is ever the case, I try to be as humorous as possible and as strict as necessary to get class on track. I don't think that you should lose your voice as a person to try and become a seemingly "confident" instructor. If you feel like you need to change your speech until you become 100% comfortable in the classroom, I completely understand that; I just want you to know that politeness has merit, and students can sense when you're trying to be something your not. Students will appreciate the real you and your real voice. No matter what you decide, I am sure you'll be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe word choice LIKE teachers always challenges me. It is necessary for me to think that teacher could be a good example as a standard scholar and a trusted mentor. I am not talking about the self-conceit, but responsibility standing in front of students. The weight of responsibility on our shoulders always makes us self-evaluate. That's is why you actually review our teaching and write this blog now.
ReplyDeleteWe are a beginner teacher. But someday, in a future ,when we will look ourself in our teaching history, we will be surprised for our word choices, and phrases in class. All the teaching experiences we are gaining now will be a manure of our teaching skill. I am sure.
Or you could totally sing the song. Haha. (If it makes you feel better.)
ReplyDeleteI think lack of confidence is something that all teachers, especially new teachers such as ourselves, face at the beginning--and in some cases, for quite some time. I know veteran teachers that still get nervous--of teaching courses. I think that once you gain your footing, you'll gain more confidence and really bring it to the table! :)
I think the phrases you reference are typical of many women's speech patterns, according to some of the linguistics studies I've read about differences in female and male conversations. Some women often don't feel the authority to use language in a way that seems controlling or demanding.
ReplyDeleteI have found myself, sometimes, using some of those phrases when giving feedback on student writing, and in fact, I use them intentionally so that I don't come across as "right." Instead, I want my suggestions to seem friendly and optional, so that students ultimately feel ownership over their writing. Too, the student has to do a little work for themselves to decide whether my comment is valuable, instead of me telling them, "Do this. It's right." and then they just change it because I said so.
When I'm in front of students in the classroom, I, too, want to come across as polite yet firm. Sometimes I use collective pronouns instead of "you." So, "let's all start/stop writing" or "Let's turn our desks towards each other." The collective pronoun seems less demanding but it's still strong enough to get your point across firmly.
I'm super touchy about people pointing out a lack of confidence with new teachers and with public speakers in general. I myself have always had a public speaking anxiety and know for a fact that I have never improved my confidence when people tell me to act confident or to not worry. Know your content, prepare good lessons, and be yourself. You'll come across as confident when you feel confident. Until then, it doesn't help to concentrate on it.
ReplyDelete