Teaching how to respectfully disagree.

A mistake that is commonly made by educators is forgetting that students are in a period of cognitive development not only related to the content to be learned, but also in terms of social skills and interactions with their peers, teachers, and school staff. This is a very significant aspect to take on consideration and address, since it can be as important as the material related to a teacher’s content are, or even more.

There are plenty of social skills that educators can include in their activities while working on content material, such as learning how to ask for help, getting another person’s attention, making an apology, greeting others, etc. But there is one that can directly affect the classroom environment, and that can be transferred to any are of the students’ life: learning how to disagree appropriately.

It is shared among the teachers’ community the need for developing critical thinking among students; and this is as important as teaching the students how to deal with ideas that create internal conflicts their values and principles, and how to continue being independent at the time of acting, thinking, and speaking, without forgetting about remaining respectful.

Arguments and discussions are present in every student’s life, every day, but is the way they manage their response and temperament, as well as the way in which they communicate, that these discussions can remain in a simple disagreement or escalate to bigger conflicts. Is because of this reason that teachers should assume the responsibility of inculcating in the students the mechanisms for properly disagreeing while maintaining a respectful tone and speech.

The process of properly disagreeing consists in the development of the following steps:

1. Looking at the person. In order to avoid misunderstandings it is important to be face to face and avoid social media.

2. Using an appropriate voice tone. Remaining calmed and avoiding getting agitated by the situation is essential.

3. Showing understanding and respect for the other opinion. Acknowledging the right of the other person of having a different opinion is necessary to generate an environment of mutual respect.

4. Explaining one’s point of view and supporting it with arguments and reasons that can be supported by facts.

5. Listening to the other person and not interrupting.

6. Appreciating the time and the opportunity given by the other person to express one’s thoughts.

These steps can be practiced and learned by the students in the class by taking part in debates and discussions, and reflecting about the behavior that the participants showed during the activity.