Author: Wigdan Abdelgadir (edited by Linda Ruas) | Published on 11 April 2024
Question: How can teachers get learners to trust them?
Answer: By taking it slowly, being honest and listening
Here are some tips/ideas on how we can build trust:
- Go slowly – don’t expect anyone to trust you immediately. Be patient and take your time.
- Be interested and listen carefully. Find out about the learners’ personal stories and show interest in their home lives.
- Demonstrate empathy by understanding the learners’ perspectives and showing genuine concern for their well-being.
- Always be true to your word. Be honest. Do what you said you would do, and don’t let your learners down.
- Be consistent, so that your learners know what to expect from you. Ensure that your actions align with your words to establish credibility and reliability.
- Show your feelings and be honest about what you think. You can’t expect learners to be open with you if you are not open with them.
- Do what you believe is right.
- Uphold principles of fairness and justice in your interactions with learners. Treat everyone equitably and avoid any hint of bias or favoritism.
- Avoid self promotion. Instead, act in the interests of your learners.