The opinions of teachers about the rhetorical and communicational skills of educational administrators: A case study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the opinions of teachers about the rhetorical and communicational skills of administrators and to determine the effects on the teachers. The sample of this study consists of twelve Turkish Language and Literature Teachers who participated in the project and worked in regions of Muratpaşa and Konyaaltı / Antalya. This research is a qualitative study with a multiple holistic case study design. A qualitative approach was selected for this study because this research was more concerned with understanding teachers' opinions about the communicational skills of their administrators. Data were collected via interviews by using half structured interview forms. At these interviews willingness was observed. Semi-structured interviews were used. During data analysis, the data were organized categorically. Interview transcripts were regularly reviewed. Comparisons were made with the data obtained from those interviews. At the end of the research, conclusions were emerged under ten themes and their sub-themes. According to study findings, it was found that the rhetorical and communicational skills of an educational administrator are very important for school management. The motivation, participation and productivity of teachers are affected by the school administrator's speech. It was determined that the educational administrators should be a good listener, be an orator, use rhetoric at the right time and place, be a lead manager. The participants suggested that school administrators can improve their skills of rhetoric and communication. Also they offered that institutions can use different techniques they purposed in their answers of study while choosing a school administrator. Findings are discussed in the framework of the related literature and some suggestions are made. Key Words: Communicational Skill, Rhetorical Skill, Educational Administrator, Teachers' Motivation.