ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how the teachers' can complete the daily act of teaching and communicating with large groups of students without damaging their voice as an instrument. Research into what is known as 'voice ergonomics' has identified a range of risk factors that can impact on the development of an effective teaching voice. Voice ergonomics is part of a strand of work that falls under the remit of health and safety protocols and legislation designed to protect you from ill-health. There is also the obvious benefit that a better speaking environment will also improve the ability of students to listen because it increases speech intelligibility. The research literature shows that the majority of teachers will suffer from some kind of vocal disorder during their teaching careers. The chapter suggests that finding ways to amplify teachers' voice could be a beneficial strategy and help them to preserve good vocal delivery and vocal health over a long teaching career.
