A TEACHER'S POWERFUL TOOL TO INSPIRE

As teacher, it is important to master the subtle communication skills to impact information delivery with high sense of clarity and purpose. Except Dzongkha, all subjects are taught in English, and this only makes us even more responsible to learn English to communicate better. Even if it is speaking Dzongkha, we must master the language and art of delivery. One of the important leadership skills in inspiring positive change in a system and human behaviour rely on effective communication. 

In my opinion, a teacher who has depth, eloquence and beauty in English speaking in class and when delivering  speeches makes a meaningful impact on the students' discipline and  moral growth. Some teachers believe they are confident in classroom teaching but have less while speaking in a crowd. If we believe that speech is a powerful tool to inspire change of thought and behaviour of students, a teacher must become efficient at speaking with eloquence, power and beauty! 

We are always moved, inspired and influenced in our thoughts and behaviours more easily when teachers are better communicator than those who are less powerful. The greatness of leadership is achieved by the potency of oratory skills; by the ability to convince the subtlest and most abstract thoughts and experiences in powerful ways of words, tone and clarity. 

Teachers role models of excellence, virtues and behaviour. Teachers have no room for mediocrity when it comes to translating policies, opinions and experiences, when explaining virtues and expectations. It is even more important to realise whether our words have depth and power to create a sense of awe in our students. In fact, powerful speeches are known to empower people with potential for influencing and transforming listeners' beliefs and behaviour.

The oratory power has raised even the most powerful evils among men to become dictators, like Adolf Hitler. He was known to have written all his speeches himself, often editing more than five times and was adept at interweaving metaphor and abstract ideas into his speeches about political policy. If only his campaign was for greater good of humanity!

Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during the second world war is said to have managed to combine the most magnificent use of English to perform incredibly powerful delivery. His speech at the peak of war is said to h ave changed the course of history.

The speech by Martin Luther King Jr is perhaps “I Have a Dream” is perhaps one of the most famous of all time. This speech inspired black freedom fighters to attain freedom from the white Americans, and to provide rights and respects a human being deserve upon the world.

And among all, one of the greatest and most exemplary examples of an orator, with beauty and elegance, Our kings are epitome of power and grace in every speeches delivered at all occasions, and every speech are imbued with poetry, quotes and timeless visions.

 

I have observed that many teachers are good speakers during informal conversations but fail to make impact and clarity of purpose on formal delivery. If every morning assembly talk is example of a great speech, if classroom sessions are semblance of a great public speaking, learning would inspire change in thought, belief, behaviour and education. 

While teachers are learned in their teaching subjects, little more awareness and learning to enhance communication skill, to deliver powerful speech will ignite deeper learning and change. It is like a tank full of water but with weak flow. If the flow out of the faucet is erratic, inadequate and tainted, it would not make its mark where it hits. 

It is even more painful when people use mix of English and Dzongkha to convey message. This gives a sense of inadequacy of language on the speaker and lack of respect for language use. Whatsoever, mixing languages, like 'Dzonglish' as you say appears less powerful, however loud and musical!

Dechentsemo believes that learning begins the moment teacher begins to talk, and it is important that every speech, particularly those delivered to the masses are nothing short of a great public speaking. The school initiated a 3-Minute Power Talk session for every teacher who manage the day as Teacher of the Day. A teacher must prepare for a powerful, motivating talk to students to begin the day, than to climb the podium and talk without intent, flow and reason.