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Below are some tips for recording the best audio quality:

If possible, use some kind of external mic. 
Find as quiet a location as possible
In general, try to stay between 4 to 6 inches away from the mic
If your mic is on a stand, avoid touching the surface when the mic is on
Draw the curtain or put a blanket against the wall to help dampen the sound, and reduce how much noise is reflecting off of surfaces

UNC - Chapel Hill's Writing Center offers resources for teaching and supporting English language learners in a college classroom.

You might think linguistic diversity equates to different languages people speak. However, I urge you move toward a more nuanced understanding, one where our linguistic background involves both our variable linguistic repertoire (the resources of a language we use or have access to) and our sociolinguistic competence (our ability to interpret social uses of language and use language in socially meaningful ways). A linguistically inclusive classroom, then, would include nuanced understandings of linguistic diversity. To help you intentionally move toward linguistic inclusion, I provide seven tips below.

Learn a little about language. Language is a resource we utilize for a variety of purposes (e.g. prestige, power, recognition, etc.). For instance, you might use language perceived as “more proper” to be identified as educated or professional, or use more colloquial language to fit in with peers. Thus, before you engage with language in the classroom, make sure you can differentiate the facts from the myths (to start, see Richard Nordquist’s post about Language Myths).


Get to know your linguistic background. Have you thought about how you use language? If not, you might be surprised by how your own language varies (from how much -ing vs. -in you use to your speech in formal or informal situations). Taking some time to get to know yourself as a language producer and perceiver will help you come to terms with your linguistic identity.


Get to know students’ linguistic backgrounds. No matter where you teach, you will surely come across language variation. Recognizing this will help you understand students and how they use language. Students come from different linguistic backgrounds and bring different language experiences (with different associated norms). I get to know students by having them talk about where they are from on the first day of class, but mostly this work requires listening for clues enabling you to differentiate between, for instance, dialectal features (e.g. “ain’t”) and mispronunciations.


Become aware of linguistic assumptions. Though it is not always easy to talk about, we all have linguistic biases. These might surface as pet peeves (see Weird Al’s parody “Word Crimes” for some examples), stereotypes (e.g. that “southern”-sounding speakers are “lazy”), or assumptions (e.g. thinking there is an objectively “right” or “correct” way of talking). Acknowledging and addressing these biases will help you see language more objectively and address language in the classroom more dynamically.


Know how linguistic assumptions affect the learning environment. Regardless of whether you teach a course that discusses language or not, you are in a position to set rules and expectations about language. As such, it is important to consider what you tell students about language. Language assumptions can lead to linguistic profiling. They can make students linguistically insecure, or feel they are somehow linguistically inferior. Make sure you’re creating classrooms flexibly, accommodating multiple and diverse language uses.


Be willing to accommodate. As a result of individual linguistic backgrounds, students’ language behaviors might not map to your expectations. Some students might not have experience writing essays, but might be profound bloggers, tweeters, or novelists. Some might speak different languages or come from backgrounds where there are different cultural norms surrounding language use (e.g. the use of silence, turn-taking, interruptions, etc.). Before jumping to conclusions, ask yourself if a student comes from a culture where language use is governed by different rules. Be flexible, willing to accommodate, and work together toward where you all hope to go. Start by defining culture- or dialect-specific terms in course content and assessments; vary assessment types to accommodate different communication preferences; and grade based on content, not grammar (unless grammar is the focus of your class). Grammar-based grading privileges native-English speakers and students from certain educational backgrounds.


Recognize linguistic diversity as a resource. Some assume classrooms should run under cultural norms expected by a given region, country, or community. However, as sociolinguist Carmen Fought (2006) points out, “…interactional patterns from different ethnic groups might enhance learning and ultimately provide all participants with a wide range of skills.” Seek to understand ways the inclusion of several different interactional norms and behaviors might benefit learning environments. Some communities, for instance, encourage a “collective orientation […] group harmony, and the avoidance of conflict” in classrooms. Though inclusion of this orientation can be viewed as problematic, it could also be used to teach concern for others, humility, and an ability to work cooperatively (pp. 193-4).

If we aim to make students feel seen and heard, we must question what we really listen to when students communicate. We have an opportunity to co-construct an inclusive curriculum, classroom, and community built out of diverse linguistic resources.
 

A discussion of important characteristics for effective team-based work, with an emphasis on communication and ensuring all members of the team feel heard and respected.

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash
 
Your first day of class is almost here! Are you excited? Anxious? Whether it’s your very first time teaching ever, you’re teaching a new course, or you’re just starting a new semester, beginning a class for the first time can be nerve wracking. To get us all ready for that first day, we asked educators to share practical tips about how they handle a new semester. Here is a compilation from their years of teaching experience.
1) Be prepared!
In teaching, confidence is key. While it can be nerve wrecking, displaying confidence will show students you are up to the task and ready for the new semester. Check out the room in advance and familiarize yourself with its resources. Test out any technology you want to use beforehand. There’s nothing worse than finding out something doesn’t work on that first day. Knowing those details are set can help free you up to relax, focus on your teaching, and exude the confidence that students respond to.
2) Practice, practice, practice
Practice makes perfect. If you are nervous about teaching a new class for the first time, make sure you practice your lesson in front of a mirror, with a partner, or with a peer a few times. It will help build your confidence in the material and sequence of your lesson, anticipate any areas of potential challenges that might come up, and adjust in ways that will set you and students up for success.
3) Dress for success
Although different schools and institutions will have varying dress codes, and individuals have different stylistic choices, make sure that you know your instructor of record and/or supervisor’s expectations before school starts.
4) Rehearse your power pose
Body language can be important in teaching. Some research has even shown that power-posing reduces anxiety and boosts confidence. One suggestion is to stand tall with your chest out and your hands on your hips.
5) Show your enthusiasm
Students pick up on your excitement (or lack thereof) about teaching their class. If you’re thrilled about the material, there’s a better chance they will be too. Communicate your enthusiasm by sharing personal stories, anecdotes or artifacts about the topic at hand.
6) Always bring water
It’s easy to forget about some of our practical needs when we teach. Having a bottle of water can sometimes be a lifesaver, especially after teaching for a long time or when feeling nervous.
7) Connect with students
Make sure to engage with your students, learn their names, let them introduce themselves to you and to one another, and create opportunities for them to share about what matters to them outside the classroom and connected to the disciplinary questions your class will support them in addressing. These steps will help you connect with students and build community.
8) Expect the Unexpected
Sometimes, even though we’re ready and have planned our lesson plan by the minute, things can go wrong. A projector doesn’t turn on, you have more students than syllabi, students are late, etc… Be ready for anything and everything. Stay positive and confident. That’s the beauty of teaching!
9) Don’t feel discouraged
After your first day of class, you may feel discouraged if things didn’t go as planned, or if you felt like you didn’t get the reaction you expected from your students. Just remember that they are also starting the semester and may have a lot to manage at the same time. Think about both the positive aspects of the day and reflect about the things you could improve.
10) And remember, students enjoy a little change!
If and when you feel it is appropriate to change things up in your class, engage with elements of popular culture, and mix up the materials you use to support learning, try anecdotes, gifs (animated images) or memes (images with words) to also communicate ideas. A little (suitable) popular connection, new content, and humor can help students engage differently. 
*note: distancing and other precautions required during the COVID19 pandemic may influence how some of these tips look in your face-to-face/hybrid classes, but remember even if you're teaching 100% online- these tips still ring true!

Suggestions on how to share your research with others outside of your specialization so that they can understand and even engage with what you do.

New Featured Resource! Quick Video Tip
Create a 4.0 GPA Scheme to Submit Final Grades from D2L
Reference this brief 4-minute video to learn how to add a 4.0 GPA scheme to gradebook and submit grades to the Registrar's office directly from D2L Brightspace. A time-saver that can help you efficiently manage end-of-semester final grade submission.

A brief overview of how to maintain time and energy for your family while in graduate school, with an emphasis on communication.