Assertive Address
With the technique, Assertive Address, when speaking to your class you focus on confident oration and body language. Through your use of voice, movement and positioning in the room, you convey your authority. For example, you make eye contact with every student and you expect them to make eye contact with you.
Why use this technique?
Much of what we expect of students is communicated implicitly, through our body language and use of voice. It is important to appreciate this, because students can sense teacher nervousness or anxiety from a hundred paces. For some, this is the perfect cue to see how much they can get away with. The best way to prevent this happening is to display confidence.
Notes and tips
An Assertive Address typically relies on you being in full command of the lesson content and structure. If you feel confident about what you are talking about and what you would like to happen next, the more likely you will exude confidence in your delivery, and the more likely students will behave as they should.
Knowing and using students’ names can be a great way to convey confidence. If you don’t know students’ names, you are far less likely to be confident in your lesson delivery, because there will be uncertainty in your mind about who to address if there is a behaviour issue.
Smiling can also be a great way to convey confidence. While you don’t need to smile all the time, regular smiling can help relax both you and your students.
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?