What We Say and How We Say it Matter

 Anderson, Mike. What We Say and How We Say it Matter: Teacher Talk that Improves Student Learning and Behavior. 2019. 168p. ISBN 978-1-4166-2704-3. 

Every teacher strives to make sure that each and every student is successful. But the words that we use, and the way in which they are expressed can often convey the opposite of what we wished to communicate. Language can easily sabotage all efforts made to ensure that students love their learning experiences while at school.

In this provocative book, the author provides a road map to focus on words and ways of speaking that are not conducive to students developing positive attitudes towards school. Words like "I'm disappointed" indicate to students that they better perform for the teacher, instead of wanting to perform for themselves. The ownership of the language ("you didn't turn in my homework") can indicate to students that it's not really their performance and their work, but rather that of the teacher. And extrinsic motivation such as stickers or pizza parties undermine any intrinsic motivation possessed by students.

Teachers and other professionals who work with people will read a lot of concrete advice that can help change what they do to become more positive and instill a joy of learning that used to be there, as anyone who has ever observed preschoolers or kindergarten students can attest. Specific techniques are described, and can help make the transition to a more powerful language habit that will actually support what the teacher is trying to achieve, instead of unwittingly undermining what they do.