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Establishing Rapport Rapport is defined as a useful and harmonious relationship. Establishing this between students and between students and the teacher is something for a teacher to do to be successful. While it does not lead to learning itself it does contribute to an effective learning environment. Studies have shown that a good rapport with students and teacher can increase their motivation, comfort, trust and on top of this, everyone enjoys the class more! Establishing rapport is all about positive relationships and is achieved in much the same way you would do in everyday life. First there is establishing rapport between students. Obviously, this is largely up to the students themselves to do this. If a student has a bad attitude towards the others in class, it will be difficult for the teacher to do anything about this. On the other hand, students may establish rapport among each other without the need for the teacher to do anything. Regardless, the teacher can still do much to create an environment where it is easier for students to do this. This is mainly based on increasing interaction between students. Make sure they know each others names and something about each other. This should be attempted right from the start as part of an ice-breaking activity. Throughout the course, have plenty of activities that involve interaction between the students such as groupwork and make sure the students get an opportunity to interact with everyone in the class. As part of making sure students interact with everyone in the group, make sure students are not dominated by others. To help create amicable interaction between students, encourage them to help each other. Just like rapport between students, rapport between students and the teacher requires both sides to put in effort. There are many things the teacher can do. They can show respect and kindness towards the students. The teacher can make sure they are receptive to the students? comments and opinions and treat them as individuals, which, for a start, means knowing their names. They can use this information to cater the class activities to the students? interests. All this requires a certain degree of humbleness. Showing a positive attitude is a big part of establishing rapport. Expressing a positive attitude includes smiling, showing a sense of humour and the teacher generally acting as if they enjoy their work. Do not destroy this by creating animosity when disciplining. Showing that they take their job seriously is another way to build rapport. Turning up early for class and leaving late can be a way of getting to know the class more and showing that you are committed and approachable. Also, organisation and knowing the material help the students to become more receptive of what the teacher has to say. The main point here is, just like in any working relationship it is best that there is a positive relationship between everyone in the classroom. It is human nature to respond better to someone we relate to rather than a stranger.
