Voice matching
Dave Stott · 2017
People can unwittingly change their voices to match the situation in which they find themselves: they use different voices in different situations. As role models for students in school, teachers should be aware of how appropriate behaviour can be &s;caught&s; as well as taught. In an environment in which raised voices, poor listening and confrontation are the accepted modes of communication, many students will inevitably consider these to be the way to behave. Clearly, if teachers are to create emotionally literate schools and classrooms, they have a responsibility to model and practise good communication skills. Indeed, a relaxed, quiet voice accompanied by the appropriate body language can go a long way to remaining calm and thereby defuse a potentially explosive situation. Angry, shouting students will be aware of their teacher&s;s attitude through that teacher&s;s voice.