Question:
We are students of speech therapy. We need a type of questionnaire for the voice hygiene of primary school teachers.
Answer:
I have no template for such a questionnaire, nor do I have a reason to develop one. However, I can give you some ideas of matters to consider.
Posture: alignment is crucial to vocal function and also is the primary component of body language
Breathing: complete. Balanced breathing not only fuels the voice but also nourishes the body, balances the emotions and keeps the mind alert.
Phonation: the way the vocal cords come together determines if the sound is harsh or weak. Ideally the tone is clear, without extra breath or tension.
Resonance: accessing all of the open spaces in the head and chest make a complete sound that is easy to hear and pleasant to listen to. The sound should not be stuck in the nose or confined to the inside of the head and muffled. It should not be only in the head or it will lack depth and warmth. It should not be only in the chest or it will lack brilliance and will be difficult to hear.
Smiling: this not only has technical benefits but is crucial for children to feel engaged
Health: people who talk all day should drink a lot of water, sleep fully and eat a well-balanced diet or the voice will suffer. They also need to treat allergies, acid reflux and other conditions that directly affect the voice.
If you develop questions around these areas you should be able to determine where your teachers need support to have robust vocal health and empowered communication. You can then use resources from vocal coaches to help your teachers develop. While it is not my intention to use this forum to promote my products over any others, my VOCAL TUNE-UP FOR SPEAKERS could be a useful resource for you and your teachers. I encourage you to consider the many other professionals and products you can resource to find the best possible fit for you.