Written by: Linda M., one-on-one tutor and board-of-directors member
Empathy is the ability to understand, share, and vicariously experience the emotions, thoughts, and perspectives of another person. It is particularly important in language education because of its focus on communication, social interactions, and cultural diversity. Empathy creates a safe, inclusive environment that directly boosts student engagement and academic success.
It is important for a teacher to understand what a student is feeling, even though the teacher may not understand exactly how it feels. Sympathy is not the same thing as empathy. Feeling sorry for a student may lead a teacher to look down on a student instead of trying to make a connection.
Empathy is a fundamental aspect of human social interaction. It is crucial for effective communication, maintaining relationships, and fostering cooperation. Try to see things through your students’ eyes and understand their feelings. You might ask some easy, thought-provoking questions, such as what their favorite activities or foods are. Later, the questions can get more imaginative to learn about their aspirations. You might ask what they think is their ideal job, or what they hope the future holds for their children, or what the most difficult thing is when they’re learning something new.
Learning a language requires making mistakes. An empathetic teacher removes the fear of judgment, encouraging students to participate without anxiety. Ask them how they’re feeling about their language progress. Praise them when they do well and when they are doing their best. Remember that students who are stressed out need supportive instructors.
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