Scribd
Upload
549 views2 pages

Classroom Communication Barriers Explained

Communication barriers in the classroom can make it difficult for students to learn. Some barriers include unaddressed learning difficulties that make it hard for students to understand lessons or communicate their thoughts, boring lessons that discourage student interaction, personality differences between teachers and students, and peer pressure that discourages relationships with teachers. Teachers can help overcome these barriers by developing individualized plans for students with difficulties, making lessons more engaging, understanding personality dynamics, and rewarding positive classroom behaviors.

Uploaded by

Vinnie Gognitti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
549 views2 pages

Classroom Communication Barriers Explained

Communication barriers in the classroom can make it difficult for students to learn. Some barriers include unaddressed learning difficulties that make it hard for students to understand lessons or communicate their thoughts, boring lessons that discourage student interaction, personality differences between teachers and students, and peer pressure that discourages relationships with teachers. Teachers can help overcome these barriers by developing individualized plans for students with difficulties, making lessons more engaging, understanding personality dynamics, and rewarding positive classroom behaviors.

Uploaded by

Vinnie Gognitti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Boring Classroom Lessons: Discusses how dull classroom activities impact student engagement and suggests strategies for making lessons more engaging.
  • Speech and Language Difficulties: Explores challenges faced by students with speech and language issues in classroom settings and offers potential interventions.
  • Personality Differences: Examines the impact of personality differences between students and teachers on communication in educational settings.
  • Peer Pressure: Analyzes the role of peer pressure in creating communication barriers among students in the classroom.

Barriers to Communication in the Classroom

KRISTINE TUCKER

CLASS

Communication barriers in the classroom make it difficult for students to get the most
out of their education. Some teachers fail to create engaging lessons and struggle to
connect to their students on a one-to-one basis. Students with unaddressed language
or speech difficulties often have trouble communicating with their teachers and
classmates. Personality differences and peer pressure add to the mix, making some
classroom interactions feel awkward or forced.

EXPLORE THIS ARTICLE

1Speech and Language Difficulties


Students with unaddressed learning or speech difficulties often struggle to communicate
in classroom settings. Some might have trouble comprehending lessons and organizing
their thoughts, and others might rely on hand gestures rather than words, says speech-
language pathologist Deanna Swallow at North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Chicago.
Students often shut down, isolating themselves out of fear or embarrassment. This
communication barrier can often be overcome by developing individual education plans
for struggling students and consulting with special education teachers, parents and
counselors.

2Boring Classroom Lessons


Classroom communication breaks down when students are bored, unmotivated or
disinterested in their schoolwork. Students don't need to be entertained all day, but
teachers should work hard to develop engaging lessons with interesting, relevant
activities. Thought-provoking assignments, technology-enhanced lectures and creative
projects spur classroom communication and interaction. Outdated, routine assignments
and busywork create communication barriers -- students don't want to interact with their
teachers and just want class to be over. Teachers who put energy, enthusiasm and
creativity into their lesson plans don't usually have to deal with this communication
barrier.

3Personality Differences
Some communication problems stem from personality differences between students
and teachers. For example, students who don't want to connect on a personal level with
their teachers often avoid communicating with them, says James McCroskey, author
and educator in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of
Alabama. This personality dynamic frustrates teachers who attempt to bond with each
student, only to find their efforts unsuccessful. Students who crave closeness and
acceptance often strive to be the teacher's pet. Teachers and classmates might get
irritated with students who brown nose for attention. Personality differences lead to
frustration, unhappiness and a lack of communication between students and teachers.
Teachers must recognize and understand these personality differences and strive to
find a healthy balance, without showing partiality or favoritism.

4Peer Pressure
Peer pressure creates communication problems in the classroom when students
respond to teachers by acting funny, cool or disengaged. Students might refuse to build
relationships with their teachers in order to maintain their not-so-interested-in-school
reputations. Peer pressure can influence classrooms as early as first grade, says Brett
Laursen, professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University, according to the
American Psychological Association. The best way to combat communication difficulties
resulting from peer pressure is to reward positive behavior. For example, you might give
students an extra 10 minutes of free time after you've had a successful classroom
discussion. Or, you might incorporate pop culture -- movies, music, TV shows,
celebrities, social media or video games -- into your curriculum to open doors of
communication.

You might also like