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Although many studies have shown that teachers' vocal health is challenged by noise and the room acoustics, research on classroom sound environment from the perspective of teachers' well-being is scarce. This study aimed to explore the relationship between teachers' wellbeing, voice use and classroom acoustics. In this study, wellbeing refers to self-reported vocal health, self-assessed level of stress, burnout and self-efficacy. Twenty-three primary-school teachers answered questionnaires on well-being. In each teacher's classroom, the acoustical properties were measured with the variables reverberation time, clarity of speech (C50) and ventilation system noise (VSN). A series of non-parametric correlations were run to determine the relationship between teachers' well-being and classroom acoustics. There was a significant bivariate correlation between burnout and VSN, (dBA), that, however, after correction for multiple analyses remained non significant, Voice symptoms correlated with VSN and teaching grade. This study indicates that higher degree of burnout in teachers is associated with higher levels of VSN in classrooms. Moreover, teachers' voice symptoms increase with higher levels of VSN. Teachers teaching lower grades had more voice symptoms than those teaching higher grades.

The present study reports on the development of a questionnaire that evaluates children's experiences of their physical classroom environment, activities and interactions. It also explores the psychometric properties of the questionnaire and how acoustical characteristics of the classroom, class size and student characteristics (age, sex and Swedish as a second language) influence the self-reported outcomes. After development, the questionnaire name should read Activities and Interactions in the Classroom were administered to 101 students (7.9–10.7 years old). Demographic information about the students was collected from parents. The psychometric properties including test–retest reliability are good but can be improved by reducing the number of items. Acoustical characteristics of the classrooms and student characteristics did not predict questionnaire outcomes. As the acoustical conditions in students’ classrooms were close to optimal, communication fostering support should be in focus. The present questionnaire can be used to assess young students’ experiences of their classroom environment and learning situations. © The Author(s) 2021.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore teachers’ experience and understanding of classroom communication after participating in a speech-language pathologist (SLP) led in-service training on classroom communication.

Method: This qualitative study used a focus group approach to explore how teachers describe their classroom communication. Twenty primary-school teachers participated. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the teachers’ responses about their classroom communication practices 6 months after in-service training.

Results: Three core themes on teachers’ understanding of their communication in the classroom were identified in the analysis: (1) awareness of voice use; (2) the use of body communication; (3) setting the stage for learning. The teachers gave many examples of voice use reflecting an increased awareness of audibility and vocal health. They reported on moving around more and using more body communication to enhance their message. Further, they expressed an increased awareness about how body posture affects voice and communication. The third theme reflects how the teachers “sets the stage for learning” i.e. how they use the prerequisites in the physical environment for successful classroom communication, including the classroom’s sound environment as well as seating and furniture.

Conclusions: The findings in this study indicate that teachers increased their awareness, implemented new practices in their classroom communication and reflected on prerequisites for classroom communication as a result of the in-service training. Teachers’ classroom communication developed when provided practical training and strategies to increase their awareness on communication. We conclude that this type of SLP-led training can be recommended as in-service training. 

The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of voice problems and potential risk factors in teacher students at the start of their education. A total of 1494 students from seven teacher education schools participated in the study. The students answered a questionnaire about 11 risk factors, and one with six questions about voice symptoms, Screen6, and 30 statements in the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Students reporting at least 2 weekly voice symptoms in Screen6 were assigned to the group with voice problems. Significance level was P < 0.05. Results: prevalence of risk factors was about the same in the seven groups of teacher students except the group with highest proportion of women that also showed the highest proportion of voice problems, 38%. Prevalence of voice problems in the total group was 17%. Comparison of students with or without voice problems showed that all factors except one were more prevalent among students with voice problems and women were overrepresented. Mean total VHI score was 22 in students with voice problems and eight in students without voice problems. Multiple regression analyses showed that frequent throat infections, hearing problems, previous speech therapy, or voice training were the potential risk factors that had the strongest association with voice symptoms as well as with total score in VHI. Conclusions: results from this study show that it is common that teacher students experience voice problems already at the start of their education and potential risk factors associated with voice problems are identified. Knowing that teaching is a high-risk profession for developing voice disorders, it is crucial that teacher students should receive compulsory preprofessional voice education including voice ergonomics and voice training.

Although teachers’ well-being and vocal health are affected by noise, research on classroom sound environment from the teachers’ perspective is scarce. This study investigated the relationship between teachers’ well-being and classroom acoustics. The possible influence of teachers’ age, experience, teaching grade and class size on the relationship was also investigated. In this study, well-being refers to self-reported vocal health, stress, burnout and self-efficacy. Twenty-three primary-school teachers answered questionnaires on well-being. In each teacher’s classroom, the acoustical properties were measured with the variables reverberation time, clarity of speech (C50) and ventilation system noise (VSN). A series of non-parametric correlations were run to determine the relationship between teachers’ well-being and classroom acoustics. Initially, there was a significant bivariate correlation between burnout and VSN, as well as voice symptoms correlated with VSN and teaching grade. Although the results became not significant after correction for multiple tests, the findings indicate that higher degree of burnout is associated with higher levels of VSN in classrooms, and voice symptoms increase with higher VSN. Teachers working in lower grades had more voice symptoms than those working in higher grades. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Background: Media frequently report on overall work-place challenges in Swedish schools, including teachers’ working conditions, their well-being, and students’ declining results. Language is the key to success in every school subject. Therefore, optimal language learning environments are important. Poor sound environments affect teachers’ vocal health, their general well-being, and students’ performance. To provide better conditions for teachers and students, it is necessary to combine optimized room acoustics with other preventive measures such as vocal training and evidence-based tools to improve classroom communication. Teachers play a key role in the classroom and need knowledge and skills in communicative strategies to ensure first-class communication. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an intervention program for primary-school teachers comprising strategies for enhanced language learning and interactions in the classroom, with focus on teachers’ verbal and body communication (voice, gaze, and gesture).

Methods: Teachers (n = 25) from seven schools teaching in school year 3–6 participated. Assessments were made pre/post intervention and at 5-weeks and 3-months follow-up. The assessments included teachers’ self-assessments (questionnaires) of vocal health, self-efficacy, stress, burnout, and psychosocial work-environment.

Results: The main results were significant decrease in voice problems at the 3-months follow-up and significant decrease of both stress and degree of burnout at 5-weeks follow-up. Self-efficacy score had increased significantly at 5-week follow-up.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the intervention program improves teachers’ self-reported vocal health, decreases their perception of stress, and degree of burnout whilst increasing their sense of self-efficacy in classroom management.