Voice production

The voice is a very important asset for the teacher. If used well the voice can capture the students attention and initiate involvement with the teacher and subject matter. A dull monotonous voice will only serve to bore the students and dull the desire to pay attention and participate.
A well used voice changes in pitch, tone, volume and emphasis. A well used voice is clear expressive and projected forward.

Students can also be encouraged to use their voices well. Rather than telling students to be quiet etc. Students can be taught about appropriate use of voice, when to be loud, when to be soft and also the physiology of speech.
Speech is made up of; language and vocabulary, tone, speed, volume, intonation, rhythm, gestures, body language as well as muscular activity involving; lungs, larynx, tongue, mouth cavity and vibrations.

If the body is tense the voice will be tense.

The Australian accent comes from a clenched jaw. This makes efficient voice projection difficult. These are some exercises for loosening the clenched jaw and allowing the voice to travel clearly

• Open the mouth wide and look down, (As though startled by a spider!) relax the jaw
  
• Open the jaws wide and look up (As though seeing superman!) relax the jaw
  
• Repeat several times
  

• Hum and touch the face jaw area feel where the vibrations are occurring, try to direct the vibrations to the lips and chin area.
  
• Hum and try to feel the vibrations a few millimetres off the skin.
  
• Place the hand on the lower area of the rib cage and feel the breath going in and out.
  
• Say a word and feel the breath as the word is spoken.
  
• Slowly speak more and more words or a full sentence feel what is happening to the breath as you speak.
  

• Ventilate rooms, monitor cleaning
  
• Avoid shouting
  
• Bring children to you
  
• Use visual signals rather than voice
  
• Drink plenty of water
  
• Use silence and pauses.
  

Seek medical help if voice problems persist.

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