ABSTRACT
The role of teaching assistants is to work with the teacher in order to support the learning of pupils. To support learning, a teaching assistant must communicate effectively with pupils. Effective communication is said to happen when there is open and honest communication, when dialogue is handled in a constructive manner, and when there is consistent and effective support. These are the principles of effective communication. But maybe a little more needs to be said about what these principles actually mean in practice.
Open and honest communication. The pupil should feel able to say what they are truly feeling. However, this requires that the pupil trusts the teaching assistant. In turn the teaching assistant should be open and honest with the pupil. This sounds great, but how do you say those things that are difficult to say, e. g. ‘If you weren’t so bone idle, I am sure you could do your work’, and, on the other hand, how do you respond when a pupil says ‘I hate you’? This brings us on to the second principle.
Ability to handle dialogue in a constructive manner. So it seems that although we should aim for open and honest communication, the way we talk to or respond to a pupil should be conducted in a manner that is positive, sensitive to the feelings of others and that does not undermine a pupil’s self-esteem. Again it is important to use constructive feedback. (For more information on constructive feedback, see page 71.) Communication that follows these principles will serve as an example to the pupils of how adults should talk to each other.
164 Consistent and effective support. This principle states that constructive and honest communication needs to be consistent, i. e. we should try to act in this way to all pupils at all times.
