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Why levity is the soul of teaching
The importance of humour
in the classroom.
By Mousir Khan
H
ow many of you still remember
that teacher of your college
days who had more to offer
than just nondescript, soporific lectures
– that teacher who held your attention
throughout class with humour and levity?
I’m sure many of you still remember
that teacher fondly.
These days, teaching methods have
become so complex and cumbersome for
most teachers that the simple and often
most essential things in teacher-student
interactions are being overlooked, as no
emphasis is placed on them. One such
thing is humour.
Although it’s accepted that a successful
class is one that’s interesting, it’s hardly
ever said that humour should be an
essential element in the classroom.
(Note, however, that teachers should
employ humour appropriately so as
not to turn themselves into complete
comedians.)
Throughout my experience as a
language teacher and a lecturer in
literature, I have sought opportunities to
employ humour as a condiment in almost
all of my classes to help students absorb
the information being given out. This may
include cracking a joke in the middle of
a lecture, making a funny face, or using
buffoonery, irony and so on to generate a
comical effect.
I have always found positive benefits
in this practice, and I recommend it to
teachers on the verge of stressing out
as they struggle with writing numerous
lessons plans. Cheer up and cheer up
your students!
BENEFITS OF BUFFOONERY
The benefits of this approach are many.
A good joke is bound to grab the attention
of students and help them connect with
what’s going on in class.
Another benefit is that cracking a few
jokes makes you more approachable,
and being more approachable is crucial
for developing a healthy rapport with
your students.
A third benefit I’d like to discuss is rather
consequential in nature and may not be
directly related to the use of humour in
class, but it is nonetheless significant.
The use of humour makes a class
interesting, and an interesting class stands
out. Whatever has been taught in that class
is more easily remembered and recalled.
In other words, humour employed as a
Humour creates a
more conducive atmosphere
for learning.
condiment in lessons not only makes
them interesting and easy to absorb,
it contributes to a student’s process of
memorisation.
BRIDGING THE GAP
During my college days, there were
numerous times when I was in no mood
to attend classes. However, my teacher’s
humorous approach to lessons helped
me sit through his classes and leave with a
cheerful smile on my face.
All in all, however unconventional it may
be, humour creates a more conducive
atmosphere for learning where the gap
between the teacher and the students
is reduced and there’s a free and easy
interaction between them. ■
Mousir Khan is a lecturer in English at
Al Jouf University, Saudi Arabia.
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