Building Trust and Self-Esteem in the Classroom
As a second/foreign language teacher, I believe it is crucial for learning to take place with trust, self-esteem and motivation paramount. Although these are not 'academic' oriented classroom requirements, no one can learn in a crisis situation. Therefore, I take a good deal of time showing my students how to build self-esteem in others and know one another better. Then I focus a lot on group projects where the students must learn to work in a 'society' that respects these three traits.
Therefore, my question is:
What other methods would you use in a classroom to build trust and self-esteem?
Hi Renee,
Based upon your forum comments I am sure your students appreciate the time and effort you put into their success. By focusing on the human development aspect of the students as well as their career progress you are developing a total person ready for the work place.
Gary
I try to build trust and self-esteem in the classroom by complimenting my students. I pick something he/she is good at and compliment that person individually and explain why I think he/she did a good job. I also show respect for my students. I think the more trust a student has for the instructor, the more relaxed he/she is in the classroom and the more learning takes place. I also try to recognize my students' strengths in the classroom and capitalize on those strengths by having them assist others who may be having some difficulty with that particular material. All of these methods have worked for me in my classes.
Renee Weeks
I feel as an instructor you should never give a negative answer to a student.Always make them feel wanted and always let them no you are there for them. Always show positves in everthing you do in the classroom and in lab. Never make them feel inferear in any way.We have all kinds of diversity in our classrooms and everyone should feel good about themselves and and the career pths they have chosen.
I agree that allowing students to perform some activities involves trust, and helps to build student's confidence
Hi Douglas,
Great strategy steps. You have a logical sequence to how you are going to assist your students based upon their needs. Clear specific and makes sense.
Gary
I applaud that you take care of the "not academic" part of the class, which may the the most important activity to establish a good course foundation.
Building upon an environment of trust/self-esteem, I think hope would be the next thing I'd focus on. Then good old fashion well-organized learning activities with continuous feedback to let the students know if they are going in the right direction.
building trust is very important
I think the modeling that you do and the tone of the classroom will help to build trust. Their self-esteem can also be built upon by the instructors encouragement and demonstration that we can learn even when we have errors.
