The Strain On Our Vocal Cords

There are many things which can put a strain on a teacher’s vocal cords. Obvious examples include having to project voices in order to be heard and administering behaviour management.

But there is an aspect of how we speak, that has an impact on the health of our vocal cords.

I have often felt the stark difference between a ‘flowing’ lesson that unfolds naturally and a lesson which feels jumpy and a scramble to deliver. Am I at ease with the content that I am presenting or am I knocked off my kilter by deadlines, rushing, concerns students are not understanding content and/or behaviour in the classroom? 

The difference between these two styles of learning is felt in the voice. When I feel like I am in my flow, and the teaching feels natural and fun, the voice also feels natural. There is no effort to talk, and it is as if the voice is spoken from the whole body, rather than a focus or strain on just my vocal cords. Although I am delivering the learning content, it is delivered in a more conversational tone that feels exuberant and joyful.  Students are more engaged and connected with this playful, more natural approach.

When I begin to rush, feel pressured, or feeling uncertain about what I am teaching, my voice changes. It sounds dull, disconnected from the students, which comes across more like talking at students. In these moments, the source of the voice feels solely as if it is coming from my throat and I can feel a strain on the vocal cords. When I am speaking like this with my teaching, students become more restless, talkative or disengaged.

When we are at ease in our bodies and speak naturally there is no strain on our vocal cords.  Checking in throughout the lesson, or day, finding a micro-moment to pause and arrest the runaway train of speaking away from our exuberance and natural self, is a way to support taking care of our vocal cords. It offers an opportunity to check-in where the source of the voice is coming from... doubt, trying, anxiety, strain, fixing, effort or conversely from the vitality of a natural flow and wisdom.