How many times have you tried to explain
yourself online only to dig yourself deeper and deeper into a mess and end up
having to resort to emoticons? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Generally, we don’t have as much face
to face communication with people, even our friends, as much as we used you.
Depending on your age, most communication you have with others is done
via text; on your phone or computer.
Because of this, you’ll know that things can be easily misconstrued.
It’s really easy to misunderstand someone because of a missed comma, a misdirected
attempt at sarcasm or people who continue to use caps lock. ALL OF THE TIME!
What does this mean for your music teaching? I’m assuming you teach children. Children who need rides to lessons,
workshops, competitions. Children who
can’t pay your fees. Children who forget to tell the adults in their lives about
the lessons, workshops, competitions, fees.
You need some form of communication with their
parents/caregivers. If you keep parents
onside, they will be more likely to support their children, are happier to be
flexible when you need it, and are more likely to recommend you to others as
the music teacher of choice. And one of
the best ways to keep them onside is through effective communication.
1. Most texts/emails are not interpreted in the manner you
read them in your head when you write them
Think about the following sentence:
I didn’t say you had an attitude problem.[1]
When you say this sentence in your head, which word did you
emphasise? On the surface this doesn’t
seem too ambiguous. But look what
happens when we change the emphasis?
I didn’t say you had
an attitude problem.
I didn’t say you had an attitude problem.
I didn’t say you had an attitude problem.
When you emphasise a different word, the whole meaning of
the sentence changes. You don’t know how
someone else will interpret what you’re saying.
When
you write a text message you are putting your own expression into the
words. When you read someone else’s text
you are putting your own expression into the words. And the same happens when other people text
you and read your texts.
Make
sure what you write is concise, explicit (no, not in that sense…) and leaves no
room for doubt. If you *really* need to
highlight a word, use asterisks. And
when reading a text message from someone else, don’t just read it from your
perspective. Think about the person
sending it. If you need to, ask for
clarification. Never assume.
2. Exclamation marks - a necessary evil
“In almost all situations that do not involve immediate
physical danger or great surprise, you should think twice before using an
exclamation mark. If you have thought twice and the exclamation mark is
still there, think it about it three times, or however many times it takes
until you delete it.” - Howard Mittlemark, How
Not to Write a Novel.
This is good advice in almost any other form of writing.
But, in these days of social media and texting, exclamation marks can
come in very useful. They indicate your tone of voice and keep things a
little friendlier. Exclamation marks
show enthusiasm.
3. CAPS LOCK
Pretty much means you’re shouting. The whole
time. Don’t shout at people.
No-one likes it.
4. Acknowledge emotions first
I remember reading a financial advisor's column in a
magazine I subscribed to, and every time she would acknowledge the emotional
aspect of the readers’ questions before she offered her advice.
Q. I lost my job last
year and now I have no savings…etc
A. I’m sorry to hear about your job…etc
You need to do this with your students. Say you get a last minute text from a parent
saying Ashleigh is sick and won't be coming to her lesson today.
Can she have a catch-up lesson later in the week? But, let’s also say, for the sake of
argument, you don’t offer catch-up lessons.
Don’t just fire off a quick text saying “I don’t do catch-up lessons.”
When you reply to Ashleigh’s parent, start by expressing
sympathy that Ashleigh is unwell and that you hope she feels better soon. Then, address the catch-up lesson
question. Politely.
5. Sometimes actually talking is better
There are occasions where it’s better to just pick up the
phone and talk to someone. If a student is being rude or
disrespectful. If they want to quit
lessons. If a situation is escalating
and becoming too emotional. Politely text the parent and say something
along the lines of “I think it might be easier if we talk. Is now a good time to call?” And call. (I
always take notes in my teaching diary if I call a parent, just so I know I
have a record of what we talk about.)
6. Wait overnight before replying to an emotional message
Similar to the last point.
If a parent emails you, saying they’re unhappy with something about your
teaching, don’t get all defensive and email them back straight away. Chances are, you’ll make things worse. Go for a walk, vent to your flatmates and
then sleep on it. Gain a little
perspective, then reply. You will
maintain your professional dignity and be more likely to address their points
in a more rational manner.
7. Let’s eat Grandma vs Let’s eat, Grandma! - Punctuation
saves lives
Surely this one is a no brainer. Parents are employing
you, the professional music teacher. Be a professional. Spell words in full. Don’t use slang or text speak. Learn
the difference between they’re/their/there.
Learn where apostrophes go.
No comments:
Post a Comment