Respectful Communication in Teaching

When we prioritize an inclusive language environment, everyone feels more welcome. This makes learning more able to take place. Our language use is influenced by social and cultural factors. Those factors sometimes can make us unaware of the impact of our words (CoachHub, 2022). One way to prevent unintentional harm is to be more aware of inclusive language practices. However, inclusive language is more than just avoiding offense or being “politically correct”; instead, it is a communication style that stays curious and respectful to others. Inclusive language use works to “honor the diverse identities of every person in the room and invites them to be part of the conversation” (Ferguson, n.d., p. 6).

Language is a living entity that changes for building common and shared understandings. Boston University (n.d.) curates a Living Language Guide. Sometimes people claim that certain phrases and words were more socially acceptable in the past, but it is important to note that, generally, language use that is problematic usually has a longer legacy of harm that was problematic—even in the past. It is up to us now to make ourselves and others more aware of the impact of that language.

Similarly, sometimes people find it difficult to “keep up” with inclusive language, and that can feel really difficult. To counteract that, educators can build in time to practice more inclusive phrases with trusted people. In addition, it’s important to remember that the more one can learn and better understand harmful legacies of terms, then the more belonging learners will feel. Some reflection questions for educators to reflect on their language and intentionality include:

• How do I define and practice inclusive language in my classroom? How do I foster a classroom culture where inclusive language is encouraged among students?
• What steps do I take to ensure my language includes all students, considering gender, race, ability, and additional identities? How intentional am I in using gender-neutral terms, pronouns, and respectful language? How do I incorporate diverse identities into my communication?
• How do I ensure my language is respectful and accurate when discussing sensitive or identity-related topics?
• How do I educate myself on terms related to various identities and groups? How can I stay informed and continuously adapt my language to reflect evolving societal and student needs?
• How do I respond when non-inclusive language is pointed out, and how open am I to making changes?
• What processes do I use to reflect on and improve intentional and inclusive language? How do I check for unintentional bias in my language and course materials?
   

Resources on Respectful Language

• MSU Brand Studio's pages on "Gender and Sexuality," "Race and Ethnicity," "Global Identity," and "Disability."
• MSU's Gender and Sexuality Campus Center's guide on "Promising Practices for LGBTQIA2S+"
• American Psychological Association's Language Guide
• Associated Press language style