The Importance of Timing for Engagement in Classroom Communication

Relationships between teachers and pupils and between pupils, form the heart and soul of teaching. Without a positive classroom climate it is difficult for children to feel involved and to engage with activities in ways that allow them to learn. While many things have been found to contribute to classroom climate, research conducted at UNE and the MARCS Auditory Laboratories, University of Western Sydney, highlights the importance of teachers' communication style in facilitating pupil engagement in communication and the development of a positive classroom atmosphere. Communication between teachers and pupils forms one of the key underpinnings of successful teaching and learning. This paper reports research into the relationship between teachers' communication styles and pupil engagement. The research was based on a model of communication developed in work with mothers and infants. Results suggest that simple changes to the way that teachers speak with their pupils can dramatically improve pupils' ability to pay attention in class and to understand and benefit from instruction.