The power of words: How a teacher's language affects students

The words that teachers use in the classroom carry great weight and have the power to shape and influence the lives of their students.

Whether they sow seeds of encouragement or cast shadows of doubt, teachers have a power that extends far beyond the confines of academics, leaving a permanent imprint on the hearts and minds of their students for years to come.

This can be proved by Fatma Mkamba, 43, now a successful entrepreneur in Dar es Salaam. As she reminisces about her primary school days, Fatma recalls the unwavering support of her teacher, Mr Malinyi.

"He always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. He would often say, 'Fatma, you have a brilliant mind. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll achieve great things.' His words fuelled my determination and instilled in me a sense of self-belief that propelled me forward."

Mr Malinyi's encouragement resonated deeply with Fatma, laying the foundation for her future success.

"His belief in me gave me the courage to pursue my dreams fearlessly. I owe a significant part of my achievements to his unwavering support," she remarks.

For Daudi Ramadhani, 35, the encouraging words spoken by his primary school teacher, Mr Steven, still resonate within him, shaping his perspective and guiding his actions today.

One particular phrase that he often recalls is, "You have the potential to soar high."

“This simple yet profound statement instilled within me a deep sense of self-belief. It empowered me to embrace challenges, knowing that I could overcome them.”

Whenever he faces adversity, Daudi usually draws upon Mr Steven's words, reminding himself that he’s capable of soaring above it.

Unfortunately, not all students are fortunate enough to encounter teachers who uplift and empower them.

Ibrahim Hassan, 28, a Dar es Salaam resident, recounts the distressing memories of his primary school experience, marked by the disparaging remarks of his teacher, Mrs Rashidi.

"Mrs Rashidi used to depreciate her students. I remember her telling me that I'd never amount to anything and that I was just not cut out for academics,” he sadly recalls.

Those cutting words left a lasting impact on Ibrahim, sowing seeds of self-doubt that would wave him for years to come.

"I started to believe her words," he confides. "I lost confidence in myself and my abilities. It took me a long time to shake off the negative mindset she instilled in me," he says.

Like Ibrahim, Eva John, 48, an electrician in Dar es Salaam, remembers one such word that still echoes in her mind: a disheartening prophecy that has haunted her throughout her life. It was a simple yet devastating statement: "You're not good at science and maths."

“As a young child, I struggled with numbers and struggled to keep up with my classmates. My teacher's dismissive words served as a cruel confirmation of my perceived inadequacy.”

Eva internalised the teacher’s assessment, believing that she was inherently incapable of comprehending mathematical and scientific concepts.

“This discouraging belief has cast a long shadow over my life. It has eroded my confidence in my abilities, making me hesitant to pursue careers that involve mathematics. It has also made me reluctant to seek help, as I fear that my perceived mathematical deficiency will be confirmed,” she says.

The impact of her teacher's words extends beyond her academic life. It has also influenced her self-esteem and willingness to take risks.

“I have often shied away from challenges that require quantitative reasoning, fearing that I will fail and expose my mathematical shortcomings.”

As an adult, Eva understands that her teacher's assessment was misguided. She has since discovered that her mathematical abilities are not fixed and that, with effort and perseverance, she can overcome her difficulties.

“The damage has been done. I cannot erase the discouraging words that were spoken to me all those years ago. They have become part of my story, shaping my beliefs and influencing my life choices,” says Eva, adding; “While I may never fully shake the echoes of my teacher's disapproval, I have learnt to challenge the negative narratives that have haunted me for so long.”

For primary school students Elizabeth Mgwena, 10, and Rajab Sijaona, 11, the impact of teachers' statements is keenly felt in their daily lives.

Elizabeth beams with pride as she recalls the supportive words of her teacher, Ms Kassim.

"Whenever I felt unsure about my abilities, Ms Kassim would reassure me. She'd say, 'Aisha, you're capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself, and you'll soar,'" she shares.

Her teacher’s words give her the strength to persevere, even when faced with challenges. “I'm grateful for her unwavering belief in me."

Rajab agrees, recounting similar experiences with his teacher, Mr Said. "Mr Said always emphasised the importance of effort and resilience. He'd say success doesn't come easy. But with hard work and determination, you can achieve anything.' His words motivate me to strive for excellence every day."

In stark contrast, the echoes of discouragement ring through the experiences of Faudhia Omary, 10, and Nickson Stanislaus, 10.

Faudhia says: “My teacher would often compare me to my classmates. She'd say, ‘Faudhia, why can't you be more like Fatma? You'll never excel if you continue like this.’ I believe we differ in terms of understanding."

Her teacher made her feel inadequate and worthless. She started to lose interest in school and doubted her abilities.

Similarly, Nickson says his teacher has a habit of dismissing his ideas whenever he comments on anything in class.

"He says things like you're not creative enough. Stick to what you know.' His lack of faith in me crushed my spirit and made me question my potential," he explains.

Fadhila Rugemalira, a teacher in Dar es Salaam, says she has seen firsthand the lasting impact that teachers’ words and statements can have on young children.

“Our interactions with students shape their self-esteem, confidence, and overall outlook on learning. Positive reinforcement and encouragement help children develop a growth mindset and a love for learning, while negative remarks or criticism greatly hinder their progress and self-confidence.”

Fadhila says she always strives to choose her words carefully and ensure that her communication with students is encouraging and supportive.

Kelvin Imani, a child psychologist, says that words have a great impact on children, especially when they come from authority figures such as teachers.

The psychologist agrees that the words that teachers use can either encourage and empower students to thrive or discourage and limit their potential.

“When teachers use positive and encouraging language, they instil a sense of confidence and motivation in their students, which can have a lasting impact on their self-esteem and overall academic performance. On the other hand, negative or discouraging words can have detrimental effects on a child's self-perception and can hinder their ability to succeed in school,” he notes.

He says teachers must be mindful of the language they use when communicating with children, as words have the power to shape how a child views themselves and their abilities.

“Instead of using criticism or negative language, teachers should focus on providing constructive feedback and using positive reinforcement to motivate their students."

The child psychologist says teachers should create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable expressing themselves and taking risks without fear of judgement or criticism.