Teacher Support Line offers free, information, advice and solution-focused counselling to teachers and lecturers. The helpline provided by national charity Teacher Support Network is available 24 hours a day; 365 days a year.
Last year over 17,000 teachers called for emotional and practical support. Your LA recognises the vital nature of this service and has helped to fund Teacher Support Line for the next 12 months.
Call Teacher Support Line on:
08000 562 561 in England
08000 855 088 in Wales
Teacher Support Line is provided independently of your school, LA or employer. No-one will ever know you have used this service: you don't even have to give your name if you don't want to.
For more information visit the
Teacher Support Network website
Caring for your voice when working in a school
If you are worried about your voice, you are not alone. Teacher Support Line receives many calls from teachers who are worried about their voice and the fact that that they are suffering increasingly from sore throats and hoarseness.
This is a worry aired by many teachers across the experience spectrum – trainees, NQTs, and experienced teachers, and it is noticeable that teachers have a great incidence of voice disorders. This concern is understandable because a teacher’s voice is the main ‘tool and instrument’ of their profession.
A teacher is as much dependent on their voice as any actor. A teacher does not usually receive any vocal training so it is all the more important to recognise the need to consider ways this most crucial ‘instrument’ of your profession can be looked after.
The following are some pointers to consider with regards to looking after the voice:
- Constantly talking, possibly in a dry atmosphere, takes its toll so take regular sips of water throughout the day will ensure your throat is lubricated.
- When speaking it is important, whenever possible, to stand up straight and keep your eyes forward, so giving a ninety degree angle between your spine and line of vision.
- Rest your voice whenever it is possible.
- Try to monitor the volume at which you talk. Avoid shouting because, if you consistently talk at this level, not only do you strain your voice, you also leave yourself ‘nowhere to go’ when the need does arise. If you do need to shout, try to drop the volume as soon as possible. This often also aids in emphasising a point. Generally, if you can maintain a quieter voice, the pupils will be more attentive and you will be developing their listening skills at the same time.
- Not only is it good practice to vary the tone of your voice, it is equally important to monitor the speed at which you speak. Try to get into the habit of listening to yourself in class. Speed up, or slow down where appropriate, but be wary of speaking quickly all the time because this can be an indication of general tenseness. This, in turn has an adverse effect on your voice.
- Try to introduce as many non-verbal signs that your pupils recognise in order to reduce the use of your voice. Different facial expressions can convey a wealth of meanings.
- Make sure you take your breaks during the day. Get into the staffroom. Speaking with colleagues, in a different environment, can benefit your voice. If you continue to feel worried about your voice, you should visit your GP and seek his/her advice.
Voice Care Network UK website
Voice Care - National Union of Teachers Health and Safety Briefing (100kb 4 page document
© Advice from Teacher Support Network 2006
