Should a Teacher be Friends with Students?
An age-old predicament of teachers worldwide has been whether they should be more friendly with their students or not. This question is ever so relevant in the age of social media. While many teachers hold the view that students and teachers should bond more in and outside the classroom, many others get apprehensive, worrying about various ways it might backfire. Such educators think that being friendly with them may lead students to not respect their authority and become disciplined. Their concerns are not unfounded. Every teacher must establish their boundaries and make the students respect them. Having said that, being friends with your students will, more often than not, leave a positive impact on them. It will make students less nervous in voicing their opinions, concerns and much more likely to confide in you. As always, though, moderation is vital, and it is a teacher’s responsibility to draw a line that lets students open up to you yet prevents them from walking all over you. Here are a few reasons why being friends with your students can be a great way to enhance their learning experience and academic achievement.
Empowers StudentsWhen teachers are friendly with the students, they feel a sense of importance and feel like they are being heard in the classroom. When students feel like their opinions and ideas matter, it boosts their confidence and creates a world of good. Empowering the students makes them ready to take on the modern world and develops real-world skills which are integral for employability today. Therefore, student-teacher friendships make students more confident, secure, and sure of themselves and their skills. Active Learning EnvironmentBeing friends with your students also helps in enhancing their involvement in the learning process. Unlike traditional instruction-based teaching, an active learning environment focuses on student-centred learning. It helps in improving the student learning outcomes. For instance, Online classes are becoming increasingly popular today because they promote an active learning environment coupled with flexibility in teaching and learning through features such as online teaching through mobile. When students get more involved with the study material, they think and learn in ways impossible through simple instruction-based teaching. The concepts stick to their mind, and they attain the utmost clarity in the subject. Therefore, being more friendly with your students is a simple and effective way of enhancing student learning outcomes. Enhances Student EngagementStudent engagement is an essential aspect of teaching. Any meaningful learning can happen only when students have the enthusiasm and will to learn. When teachers are friendly with the students, they are more interested in what goes on in the classroom. They are more engaged in learning. Moreover, they can trust their teachers enough to ask their doubts without any inhibition. Thus, teacher-student friendships improve student engagement in the classroom and consequently the students’ academic achievement.
Respect and AdmirationBeing cherished and admired by their students is a desire of every educator. When teachers are friendly with their students, the students look up to them as a mentor. They trust them enough to share their personal problems and dilemmas with their teachers. They genuinely respect and always have fond memories of such teachers who helped them in their years growing up to reach adulthood. When we all remember some of our pleasant and loving teachers, it automatically leaves a smile on our faces and lights up our mood. Developing a bond of friendship with your students will earn you their respect and admiration, which is a great feeling to experience as a human being. Trust and ComfortTrust is a key factor in every relationship. When students trust their teachers, they are more likely to follow your instructions and any advice you have for them. Forging a friendly relationship with your students is the fastest way to win over their trust. Moreover, it also helps your students be comfortable in your presence and be at ease in the classroom. Every coin has two sides. While being very friendly with your students may not be such a great strategy, developing a bond of mutual respect and friendship, as mentioned above, can definitely help make students’ learning experience more positive.