Getting them talking!

by Mr Woods,
ITT, Department of Religious Education

In RE, we often discuss and debate difficult topics where students at required to explore their own views, other views and consider religious attitudes to ethical issues. These discussions are much better when student-centred, allowing them to learn from one another, and understand other opinions, especially with LA students, as these topics can often be more challenging to grasp.

Having already covered abortion with my LA class, it became clear that they struggled to communicate their ideas and were reluctant to volunteer contributions to the lesson.  Thinking of what would impact their willingness to participate, I decided to change the classroom layout so all students and I could sit facing one another in a group. Taking a seat with the students, they seemed to immediately feel more at ease to speak. This improved their communication skills drastically from the previous lesson, and students were listening to one another and taking into consideration their classmates' views.

With a class that don't know me particularly well, this also provided opportunity to be in a more relaxed environment where they felt able to talk to me. As a student teacher, building relationships with classes can be extremely difficult when they are already settle with their permanent teacher's methods and practice. This more informal arrangement allowed us to develop the student - teacher relationship.




















 
 

 
 

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