Teachers: how do you avoid voice strain?

Question

I'm going back into teaching after several years off, and I want to avoid straining my voice. That was quite a problem years ago for me -- every cold started right at my throat!

I'm doing a few things now, like nasal cleansing, and drinking lemon and honey tea every morning. Is there anything else? Home remedies? Vocal exercises?

Thanks for any help you can give!

I'll be visiting Japanese elementary schools (ages 6 through 12) teaching English. I'll see each class maybe twice a year if I'm lucky, so not talking is not really an option.

BTW, I tried to look up past questions with "teacher voice strain" and all I got were a 10 questions, mostly about dealing with singing teachers. And a couple of bizarre ones. If there are some good past answers, please link me!

Thanks!

Answer 1

I guess i've been lucky, never had a voice problem. My suggetsions will be more procedural than anything you can do personally. I'm sure you probably already do these:

non-verbal cues to get attention

I won't speak unless everyone is listening

often say "ask two before you ask me" (when in group work)

Try to limit my speaking lecture style (most work in my class completed in group settings)

varied groupings during the year

powerpoint.

ok, good luck!~

Answer 2

There is some really good advice given in the previous answers. In case none of them work...

My first year teaching, I developed polyps on my vocal chords from yelling too much. They eventually went away after I learned how to project my voice and take care of my throat. However, I too will be going back to teaching after several years off, and I'm a bit concerned about my voice. This is a bit of an investment, but it's something I was considering if I started having problems again.

They make portable voice amplifiers for people who do a lot of talking. You wear a small headset like an operator wears, with the microphone by your mouth, and a mini speaker around your waist. The speaker amplifies what you are saying so you don't have to strain your voice. There are probably models where the speaker sits on your desk instead.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I am sorry, I do not have any home remedies...but I have taught in Japanese public schools and inner city schools in LA and Sacramento--I have never lost my voice. The first and one of the most important lessons I learned was--a disciplined classroom can never be achieved by yelling or raising your voice. They lose respect for you if you yell. It shows that you can not control them and they will continue to be loud and ignore you. In fact, raising your voice has a tendency to frighten children [people in general] in Japan, so I would think twice before doing it...you do not want to appear unprofessional.

You may want to begin the class with teaching a nonverbal clue to the students that will remind them to quiet down [as mentioned in another answer] so you do not have to raise your voice. Most really good elementary teacher I know make it a game--which group can quiet down first etc. with a small reward if possible.

On the other hand, some people do not have strong voices... if students will not quiet down after they are asked to [whether they hear you or not] I just start talking. I am careful to stand in the front of the class, so everyone can see me [typical instructional position] and I start talking...in a quiet conversationaly tone using as many large gestures as possible. I make eye contact with the students who are listening [or trying to]. They will help to quiet everyone else, because they want to know what you are saying.

Finally, for those lovely elementary students that you will be visiting only once or twice a year--bring small rewards--as many as possible. They should be playing games using English the whole time you are there. Try to explain the games to the teachers in advance if possible. They are counting on you to show the kids that English can be fun...so good luck!

Answer 4

First of all, don't yell. :) Vary your volume throughout the period. Second, plan parts of your lesson around students talking instead of you. Third (and very important), don't try to make your voice lower.. many people try to talk in their bottom range rather than a little higher. Raising the pitch of your voice, and changing that pitch often really lessens the strain on the voice.

One way to be louder without straining your voice is to start each day with some humming. It gets the sound right in the front of your mouth and gets you projecting, so much of the sound is from the placement rather than working the vocal chords.

Finally remember, variety in how you sound and talk adds hours on to how long you can go.

Answer 5

what you're doing sounds effective but all of my teachers sip (coffee/water/tea/etc.) throughout the day


edit:
i remember losing my voice on a 3-day car trip because i was reading books out loud as my mom drove. i talked A LOT. consequently it took a toll on my throat.

on the way back i read just as much but i had a stock of water bottles and sipping helped a lot

and yeah. you probably DON'T have to speak too loud. and depending on what grade you teach, your students can take turns reading out loud.

Answer 6

Practice projecting from the diaphragm (sp?) not from your throat. Also, don't talk over the students. Use wait time, or a hand in the air to get their attention. Try using a nice sounding bell or something to get their attention.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Try ginger. Boil and drink it as a tea without sugar. don't drink cold softdrinks or water. Ginger tea is a singers' favorite

Answer 8

don't speak too loud,let your voice rest during the exercises,drink honey,nothing cold or hot and relax after school

Answer 9

I' not sure that you can avoid it; just keep something to drink and maybe some lozenges/hard candy nearby all day.

Answer 10

do breathing exercises ie deep inhalation and exalation , voice rest when free , avoid shouting, avoid spicy food and excessive chiied items in between you can take tab citrizine for throat problem when ever irritation starts.