How do you handle personal or sensitive questions?
15 answers from our tutors
Best answer
I try to answer those questions in a way that will help my student going forward. So I might say, "Oh wow, that's a pretty personal question. You should probably not ask that of anyone who's not a very close friend." Cultural differences can be huge, so I try to let them know what's acceptable in my particular English-speaking culture (U.S.A.) rather than worrying about what's acceptable to me personally.
What is personal in one culture may not be as personal in another culture. I try to understand and use my intuition from student to student and always with respect as to why they are asking that question.
When a student asks a personal, as a teacher, I just smile, answer the question in a way that it will not make the student feel offended, explain to the student that it is not good to ask such questions. I have will explain to the students the importance of knowing and understanding different personalities and therefore they will know what to ask and what they should not in a friendly way.
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I would try to avoid them with a student I don't know well. If 100% necessary I would try to handle with sensitivity.
Hi One of mostro common personal question is: Teacher are you married? Normal! So I reply as Normal question. If you feel comfortable your students do the same. Best Regards
- Newriya KumarEnglish and Hindi Tutor
Be a great listener. Encourage them to be vocal to you. Personal questions are a part of life. You help those who needs help. Guide each.
- Britney TutorI'm a fluent speaker in the English Language and an excellent writer of essays and short reviews.
I think I would try to relate the question whether its sensitive or not to the topic of lesson that's being taught, so that the student doesn't go off-track and the lesson is still carried out.
- Gary NorthExperienced and easy going Conversational English Teacher
Carefully
I don't have problems with personal questions because I'm really open. However, we can give a diplomatic answer and change topics.
I guess it depends a lot on the questions. I like to think my life is an open book. Sometimes you have to answer personal questions in order to build rapport. Now, if they are inappropriate, I try to dodge them, change the subject, in a way the student will understand I'd rather not talk about that, but without being rude. Respect and tolerance should be above all. Now, if the student insists, then I have to tell them the conversation they want to have is inappropriate, try to record the class, and report them to management here at LiveXP.
Don't take it to heart because you might get carried away and answer in a bad way. Accommodate the person by telling them about how you feel about the question, that it's inappropriate and the, find a way to shift things to a positive conversation.
