Talking to Teenagers: A guide to skilful classroom communication

The success or failure of a teacher rests on one thing: the quality of their communication. Under the microscope of the modern secondary classroom, everything we say and everything we do is analysed by our teenage audience. Talking to Teenagers is a practical handbook that explores five essential communication strategies. It provides busy teachers with the scripts they need to improve learning and form effective relationships with teenagers.


This book looks at understanding teenagers and their brain development, mastering the art of non-verbal communication, teaching positive behaviour and scripting your responses, using the LEAP acronym in the classroom, and how to drive motivation and build habits in your students. If you feel your communication in the classroom is often on autopilot, this book will fuel you with the strategies, phrases and understanding that will help you to be the best version of yourself in the classroom.

After twelve years teaching and working in leadership roles across the UK, Jamie Thom left the classroom in August of 2022 to set up and run the English PGDE at Napier University in Edinburgh. 'Talking to Teenagers' is his fourth book. He also hosts 'Beyond Survival: the new teacher podcast', a popular podcast for teachers at the start of their career.