On the same wavelength

What makes us feel really good in one course and rather uncomfortable in another (very similar) class? Why are you an excellent teacher (the best teacher ever even) for students in course A but a mediocre teacher in course B?  

I believe that one of the skills which you should develop once you have mastered basic teaching techniques and principles is the skill of building rapport with your students.

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What do you associate with the word “rapport”? How good are you at establishing relationship with your students? What techniques do you use to build the rapport? 

Take the word R.A.P.P.O.R.T. and try to find one key word for each letter of the word, e.g. R for respect. Would you like to share it with us?

If you ask what rapport means for me, I believe it is the skill to create a positive T-S(s) relationship. However, it is not only important to break the ice, make positive first impression and start the relationship in the first lesson. It is more vital to know how to keep and “maintain” the relationship during the course. Often we are masters of first lessons but then our energy and effort levels decrease and we gradually lose touch with the students.

For me, rapport is about the willingness and ability to create links between you and the student(s).  Simply tune into your class and what they tell you about themselves. Be there. Be on the same wavelength. At the same time you must work hard on creating the link between the student and the language itself. Rapport means motivating students to study hard, to love the language, to work toward the aims of the course. If you manage to create positive rapport with your students, your students will enjoy playing games, listening to difficult recordings and do homework even though they tend to believe translation and drills are a must. As well, you will enjoy teaching in a similar class more and as a result, you will be willing to invest more into the class … more energy, more time, and creativity. Am I being too optimistic here?

What about you and the ability to build rapport with your students? Take our quiz. Look at the areas below and add a smiley or a frowny to see which areas you are really good at and which areas you should focus on in your next lessons.

• I enjoy teaching.
• I am dynamic and energetic in the classroom.
• I always learn my students´ names in the first two sessions.
• I always plan my first lessons to make good first impression.
• I get students close to each other.
• I smile a lot.
• I make eye-contact with my students.
• I always learn something about my students, remember things and ,use the information“ later to personalize my teaching.
• I teach language my students need.
• I respect my students.
• I make sure all learners in a group participate.
• I reward and praise students´ contributions.
• I give positive feedback frequently.
• I avoid negative correction if possible and cater to lower students´ fear of making mistakes.
• I use humour in the class. I can make fun of myself.
• I switch off my autopilot and prepare elements of surprise and variety.
• I use email, blogs to be accessible to my students.
• I arrive to the class earlier to talk to my students and socialize.
• I make my lessons learner-centred.
• I can admit I also make mistakes and do not know all the answers.
• I always plan my lessons.
• I am good at starting each lesson in an interesting and challenging way (warmer, lead-in).
• I am willing to talk about myself and share my own personal stories.
• I rearrange the classroom seating according to the specifics of the class.
• I move a lot around the classroom.
• I can use the technique of mirroring if necessary (e.g. one-to-one classes). 

Would you like to add more rapport-related tips?

How do you establish rapport with your students?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?