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In VET most of my learners are adults, and the assumption that they would use institutional email cost me a whole term.

Messages were sent, read receipts said nothing, and deadlines were missed by learners who were otherwise engaged.

What eventually worked was not a better tool but an agreement: on day one we decide together which channel is official, I commit to a fixed rhythm (the week's plan always on the same day) and to a response time, and anything agreed elsewhere gets written back into that one channel. The problem was never the platform, it was that I had four of them and no rule.

A harder one comes from international projects. Working with partner schools, I learned that silence rarely means disagreement and that a "yes" sometimes means "I have received your message".

Directness that feels efficient to me can read as abrupt elsewhere, and mine has been misread more than once. Now I write short, ask explicitly for confirmation of decisions rather than assuming them, and never let an important agreement live only in a chat thread.

The assumption I had to abandon: that a young learner is automatically a competent digital communicator. Many can film and edit fluently and have never written a formal message asking for an extension. That skill has to be taught, not expected.

Curious whether others have found a way to agree on one official channel and actually hold it.

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Throughout my teaching career, communication with students and parents has generally been positive and smooth. However, like most educators, I occasionally run into practical challenges—mostly related to information overload and digital platform navigation.

The most common issue arises when too much information is sent at once. Parents with multiple children at our school often struggle to process a constant stream of updates, causing important details to get lost. This is compounded by our primary communication tool, EduPage. Because messages continuously scroll on the main feed, crucial updates quickly get pushed down the page. Furthermore, parents managing multiple child profiles within the app can easily confuse which announcement, event, or assignment applies to which child.

To overcome these struggles, I make a conscious effort to keep my communications concise, clear, and structured. By highlighting key deadlines and using bullet points for essential details, I help parents quickly digest important information, even when juggling multiple school accounts.

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One communication challenge I have experienced is that some students and families do not always read or respond to messages sent through email or school platforms. This can make it difficult to ensure that important information about deadlines, assessment or classroom activities reaches everyone.

Another challenge is adapting communication to different needs. Some students may need clearer, more structured instructions or additional support, and families may also have different levels of digital competence or familiarity with school communication platforms.

I have found that using clear subject lines, short messages, simple language and consistent communication channels can help. For important information, it can also be useful to repeat the message through the official school platform and, when necessary, follow up directly.

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Communication Fatigue and Email Inaction

The Issue: In an increasingly digitized learning environment, reliance on traditional email frequently leads to severe communication fatigue. Critical announcements regarding upcoming project deadlines, syllabus adjustments, or student progress reports regularly go unread by both students and parents. Standard email inboxes are constantly flooded with daily operational messages, causing essential academic updates to get buried beneath the noise. As a result, crucial information is overlooked, directly leading to missed assignment deadlines, incomplete deliverables, and preventable last-minute confusion.

Impact: This breakdown in communication creates a ripple effect across the learning process. Educators are forced to spend valuable instructional time repeatedly clarifying instructions and managing avoidable administrative issues rather than focusing on teaching. Simultaneously, parents often feel overwhelmed by the volume of disaggregated messages or completely disconnected from their child's day-to-day academic progress, weakening the home-school partnership necessary for effective student support.

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"I completely relate to the challenge you’ve shared building consistent, constructive relationships with parents is one of the most demanding aspects of our work. When families are busy or hesitant to engage, establishing that bridge can feel like an uphill task.

In my teaching practice, shifting from reactive communication to a proactive and structured strategy has made a significant difference:

Short, Predictable Updates: Moving away from long emails toward brief, weekly digests (using bulleted lists) via dedicated apps like Remind or ClassDojo helps parents process information quickly without feeling overwhelmed.

Leading with the Positive: Sharing quick, positive updates about a student's progress before bringing up academic or behavioral concerns builds trust and turns parents into active partners.

Setting Clear Professional Boundaries: Establishing explicit communication hours early on ensures that parents know when to expect replies, which helps maintain a healthy work-life balance while keeping channels open.

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In my teaching experience, one of the main challenges has been engaging parents to read and follow important announcements, as their work commitments often lead to not reading emails or messages about their children's progress.

Also, communicating effectively in inclusive settings, such as with students with special educational needs or families from different cultural backgrounds, requires additional effort and adaptability. To overcome these obstacles, using a combination of visual announcements, simple digital newsletters, and official channels has proven to be the most effective way to keep everyone informed and involved.

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One communication challenge I have faced is that some parents do not regularly read emails or school announcements. As a result, important information about homework, school activities, deadlines or meetings may be missed. In these cases, I have learned that it is useful to combine different communication methods, such as email, written notes and direct phone contact, while still maintaining professional boundaries.

Another difficulty is that written messages can sometimes be misunderstood because they do not include tone of voice or facial expressions. A short message may appear too strict or unclear, even when this was not the intention. For this reason, I try to write clearly, politely and briefly, and I avoid discussing sensitive matters through messages when a personal conversation would be more appropriate.

Communication can also be challenging when supporting students with special educational needs. Some students may need simpler language, visual instructions, repetition or additional time to process information. Communication with their parents also requires sensitivity, confidentiality and a focus on the child’s strengths as well as their needs. It is important to listen carefully and avoid language that may make families feel blamed or judged.

Cultural and language differences can create additional misunderstandings. Families may have different expectations about the teacher’s role, discipline, homework or parent involvement. When language is a barrier, translated messages, visual information or support from an interpreter can be helpful. These experiences have taught me that effective communication requires flexibility, empathy, active listening and respect for each family’s individual circumstances.

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Communication: Challenges & Insights

​Throughout my teaching career, establishing seamless communication with students, parents, and colleagues has been both a core priority and a dynamic challenge. A primary hurdle is ensuring that critical updates not only reach their intended audience but also prompt timely action. When digital platforms or emails go unchecked, a chain reaction often follows—leading to missed deadlines, assignment confusion, and reduced engagement. This reality has reinforced my belief in a multi-channel approach backed by consistent, gentle reminders.

​Furthermore, fostering true inclusivity requires adaptive communication strategies:

​Tailored Support: Students with special educational needs require structured, simplified instructions tailored to their unique learning styles.

​Cultural & Linguistic Bridges: Language barriers and cultural nuances necessitate clear, concise messaging and a thoughtful blend of digital channels and face-to-face dialogue.

​Digital Accessibility: Gaps in tech confidence or internet access can alienate families.

​Key Takeaway: True educational partnership isn't about using more platforms—it's about choosing accessible, low-barrier tools, offering offline alternatives (like phone calls or printed notices), and keeping messaging clear, empathetic, and continuous

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My communication challenges
One key challenge I have faced is ensuring timely responses from parents, even when using official school platforms and emails. Another challenge is dealing with differences in digital skills and access among students and parents, which sometimes creates inequality in communication and participation.

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In my teaching experience, one of the main communication challenges has been ensuring timely responses from parents. Despite using digital tools such as email and school platforms, messages are sometimes not read or are read late, which can slow down coordination and follow-up actions.

Another challenge I have faced is related to differences in digital skills and access. Some families are less confident with digital tools or do not use them regularly, which can create a gap in communication and require alternative ways of reaching them.

I have also experienced situations where language or cultural differences made communication more complex, especially when discussing students’ progress or needs. In these cases, I found that simplifying messages and combining digital communication with face-to-face meetings was essential.

Overall, I have learned that clear, concise communication and the use of multiple channels are key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring that all families are effectively involved in the educational process.

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Experiences and Challenges in Educational Communication

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Experiences and Challenges in Educational Communication

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Τhroughout my teaching career, I have encountered a variety of communication challenges involving students, parents, and colleagues. One of the most common difficulties has been ensuring that important information reaches its intended audience and receives a timely response. For example, there have been occasions when students or parents did not regularly check their emails or digital learning platforms, resulting in missed deadlines, misunderstandings about assignments, or lack of participation in scheduled meetings and activities. This has highlighted the importance of using multiple communication channels and providing clear, consistent reminders.

Another challenge has involved communicating with students who have special educational needs. These students often require instructions to be presented in a more structured, simplified, or visual manner. In some cases, students with attention difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, or learning disabilities may misinterpret verbal instructions, become overwhelmed by excessive information, or struggle to express their needs effectively. To address these challenges, I have learned to adapt my communication style, provide step-by-step guidance, use visual supports, and regularly check for understanding rather than assuming that instructions have been fully understood.

Cultural and linguistic diversity has also presented communication challenges. Working with students and families from different cultural backgrounds has taught me that expectations regarding education, behavior, parental involvement, and communication styles can vary significantly. Sometimes language barriers have made it difficult for parents to fully understand school procedures, academic expectations, or their child's progress. In such situations, I have found it essential to use clear and accessible language, avoid educational jargon, and whenever possible provide additional explanations or translated materials. Building trust and demonstrating respect for different cultural perspectives has often been the key to successful communication.

Another challenge concerns emotionally sensitive situations involving students experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, behavioral difficulties, or family-related concerns. In these cases, communication requires patience, empathy, and careful consideration of the student's emotional state. I have learned that active listening is often more important than simply providing information. Creating a supportive environment where students feel safe to express themselves can significantly improve both communication and learning outcomes.

Communication with parents can also be challenging when discussing academic difficulties, behavioral concerns, or the need for additional support services. Some parents may become defensive, anxious, or reluctant to accept certain observations regarding their child. In these situations, I try to focus on constructive dialogue, emphasize the student's strengths alongside areas for improvement, and work collaboratively toward shared goals. Maintaining professionalism, transparency, and respect helps build positive relationships even when difficult topics must be addressed.

The increasing use of digital communication tools has brought both opportunities and challenges. While platforms such as Zoom, Webex, email, and learning management systems facilitate communication and accessibility, they also require digital literacy and consistent engagement from all participants. Technical issues, unequal access to technology, and varying levels of comfort with digital tools can sometimes create additional barriers.

Overall, these experiences have reinforced my belief that effective communication is one of the most important aspects of teaching. Successful communication requires flexibility, empathy, cultural awareness, active listening, and a willingness to adapt messages to the needs of different individuals. Although communication challenges are inevitable in education, they also provide valuable opportunities for professional growth and stronger relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

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Eflection break – Communication challenges

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Eflection break – Communication challenges

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One of the main communication challenges I have faced in my teaching career is ensuring that students read institutional messages carefully and respond on time.

In Vocational Education and Training, this becomes especially important because many activities involve deadlines, laboratory safety instructions, work-based learning, Erasmus+ projects or coordination with external partners.

Sometimes students check messages quickly but do not fully understand the implications of the information provided. For example, they may miss an important deadline, forget to bring specific laboratory materials or overlook safety instructions before a practical session. This has taught me that communication must be clear, concise and repeated through the official channels used by the educational institution.

Another challenge is communicating with students from different backgrounds or with different levels of digital competence. Some students are very confident with digital tools, while others need more guidance to understand how to access platforms, submit tasks or participate in online collaborative spaces. In these cases, I try to combine written instructions with visual guides, short demonstrations and reminders.

In international projects, I have also experienced communication challenges related to language and cultural differences. Even when English is used as a common language, it is important to avoid overly complex expressions and to check that all participants have understood the task in the same way.

In my experience, successful communication requires using professional and secure channels, keeping messages short and structured, providing visual support when needed, and confirming that the most important information has been understood. Communication is not only about sending information, but also about making sure that the message reaches the audience effectively.

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Over the years, I have faced several communication challenges, especially with digital communication. One common issue is that students do not always read or respond to messages or emails, even when the information is important. This sometimes leads to misunderstandings about assignments or deadlines.

Another challenge is communication with parents. Some parents are very responsive, while others are difficult to reach or do not regularly check digital communication. This creates an imbalance and can affect student support.

I have also experienced challenges related to different levels of digital competence, both among students and parents. Not everyone feels confident using digital tools, which can create barriers. In some cases, there are also cultural differences in communication styles, where expectations about communication are not always the same.

From these experiences, I have learned that clear, simple, and consistent communication is very important. I try to repeat key information through different channels and use language that is easy to understand. I also try to be flexible and patient, especially when working with parents or students who may need more support.

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Challenges in communication in my teaching practice

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Challenges in communication in my teaching practice

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In my teaching experience, I have faced some communication challenges. One of the most common is that parents do not always read or respond to messages, especially when there is a lot of information.

It is also sometimes difficult to make communication clear for everyone, as I work with young students (aged 7–8) and their families.

Another challenge is communication with students with special educational needs, who may need more time and individual support to understand instructions and participate in activities.

How I try to solve this:

I use short and clear messages

I use visual materials (Canva)

I repeat important information

I give simple and clear instructions

I provide individual support

I keep a friendly and supportive communication style

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With families is better face to face meetings but the most important thing is to show parents that you know their children to create a clima of collaboration

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This resonates deeply, and I think it points to something important: the most effective communication channel is always the one the community already trusts, not the one that is most convenient for us as teachers. In the Jordanian context specifically, face-to-face communication carries cultural weight that no digital tool can replicate — it signals respect, seriousness, and personal investment. Rather than pushing parents toward digital channels they resist, I would suggest a hybrid approach: use the face-to-face meetings parents already attend (parent evenings, school celebrations) to share a simple, visual one-page summary of what digital tools you use and why, framing it not as a replacement for in-person contact but as a supplement for moments when coming to school is not possible. WhatsApp voice notes have also worked well in similar contexts — they feel personal and conversational, bridging the warmth of face-to-face interaction with the convenience of digital. The key is reducing friction and meeting families where they are, rather than where we wish they were.

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One communication challenge I have faced is that students or parents sometimes do not read or respond to emails, which makes it hard to share important information on time. I have also encountered difficulties when communicating about students with special needs, as it requires careful explanation and sensitivity to individual requirements. Cultural differences can sometimes create misunderstandings, for example, when expectations about schoolwork or participation vary. To overcome these challenges, I try to use multiple channels (like email, Google Classroom, or brief calls) and make messages clear, simple, and respectful of each family’s background.

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In my experience, most families prefer to have three or four face-to-face meetings during the school year rather than receiving emails. Paper notices still work better than digital alerts.

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I prefer to use tools that allow me to manage communication with parents or students as efficiently as possible

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One of the biggest struggles is the lack of engagement from parents regarding digital safety and project progress. While I send detailed emails, many remain unread, leading to a gap in the "informed consent" process required by GDPR. This makes it difficult to ensure that the digital ecosystem is supported both at school and at home. In cross-border projects, communication with students from different cultural backgrounds often leads to misunderstandings.

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In every class there are parents who respond very quickly to the teacher's messages and requests, but there are also other types of "busier" parents who don't know what's going on in the class. For the busy ones, I think the solution could be a face-to-face discussion.

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Throughout my teaching career, I’ve faced several communication challenges. Often, students or parents do not consistently read or respond to emails, which can delay feedback or updates about learning progress. Communicating with families from diverse cultural backgrounds sometimes presents misunderstandings due to language barriers or different expectations about schooling. Additionally, supporting students with special educational needs requires careful, personalized communication to ensure instructions, feedback, and expectations are clear and accessible, which can be time-consuming and challenging to coordinate. These experiences have shown me that using multiple, structured communication channels and providing clear, concise messages are essential for effective engagement with all stakeholders.

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We communicate with parents through a viber group

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În activitatea didactică, una dintre cele mai frecvente provocări de comunicare este lipsa de reacție la mesajele transmise prin canalele oficiale, fie că vorbim despre elevi sau părinți. De multe ori, informațiile importante rămân necitite, ceea ce întârzie procese esențiale precum feedbackul, organizarea activităților sau sprijinul acordat elevilor. În plus, diferențele de competențe digitale și barierele de înțelegere fac ca mesajele scrise să nu fie întotdeauna suficiente. Am învățat că soluția nu este să folosim cât mai multe instrumente, ci să stabilim câteva canale clare, rutine constante și să adaptăm comunicarea la nevoile reale ale fiecărei familii și ale fiecărui elev.

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I’ve faced challenges such as students not checking emails or messages, and parents not consistently reading updates. Communicating with students with special needs or language barriers can also be difficult. I address this by setting clear routines, using multiple channels (ClassDojo, phone calls, Google Classroom), simplifying instructions, and using visuals or one-on-one support when needed.

Peer Reply 1: For parents not responding, try short bullet-point messages or quick check-ins via phone or ClassDojo.
Peer Reply 2: For students with learning difficulties, use visual aids, step-by-step instructions, and peer support to ensure understanding.

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Communication has undoubtedly been one of the most complex aspects of my teaching practice. The most recurring frustration is the 'digital void': sending detailed emails or newsletters to parents and students, only to receive silence. In the past, I have found that critical information regarding deadlines or behavioral issues often goes unread, simply because parents are overwhelmed by the volume of information or because emails lack the immediacy they are used to.

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One communication challenge I have faced in my teaching career is students or parents not responding to emails or messages. Sometimes important information about homework, deadlines, or school events gets missed, which can cause confusion.

Another challenge is communicating with students who have special needs or come from different cultural backgrounds. It can be difficult to explain instructions clearly or adapt materials so that everyone understands and feels included.

To address these challenges, I try to use multiple communication channels (emails, school platforms, class apps) and visual or simplified instructions. I also make time for short individual check-ins to ensure everyone understands and feels supported.

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​An educator dedicated to professional collaboration and continuous improvement. Experienced in participating in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to share best practices, analyze educational data, and pursue common pedagogical goals. Skilled in instructional coaching and classroom-based action research to provide personalized support and foster responsive teaching. Committed to promoting professional growth and student success through collective planning and consistency across classrooms.

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As a kindergarten, the fact that our students do not yet know how to read and write, and the need to explore different communication methods and actively involve parents in digital processes, makes things challenging for us.

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We struggle when they are closed off to communication and unwilling to take responsibility.

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Not being in the same time zone as other countries can sometimes make things difficult.

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Throughout my career as a support teacher in middle school, I have often faced communication barriers. One recurring issue is that some parents do not read or respond to emails sent through the school’s official channels. This creates delays in sharing important information about their child’s progress or upcoming meetings. Another challenge has been working with students who have special educational needs: sometimes instructions or feedback must be adapted into simpler formats, or reinforced with visual aids, because written communication alone is not accessible to them.

Cultural differences have also played a role. For example, some families prefer face-to-face conversations rather than digital communication, and misunderstandings can arise when expectations about school procedures are not clearly explained in their native language.

Challenge “I struggle to communicate effectively with students who have learning difficulties; they don’t follow written instructions.”
Suggestion:

Break instructions into step-by-step visual guides (icons, diagrams, or screenshots). This reduces cognitive load and makes tasks more accessible.

Pair written communication with oral explanations and check for understanding by asking students to repeat the instructions in their own words.

Encourage peer support: assigning a “communication buddy” can help students feel more confident and less isolated.

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Common Communication Challenges in Teaching:

No response to emails/messages – Parents or students often don’t read or reply.

Language and cultural barriers – Misunderstandings due to different languages or cultural norms.

Special needs communication – Explaining plans and progress clearly to parents can be difficult.

Technology gaps – Some families struggle with online platforms.

Tone issues – Emails about problems can sound harsh and cause tension.

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we communicate via whatsapp with parents

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We communicate with parents via WhatsApp.

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My parents sometimes don't read the messages I send. Sometimes it shows as read but they haven't actually read them. This creates communication problems.

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One communication challenge I have faced in my teaching career is keeping all students and parents consistently informed. Sometimes, important emails or messages go unread, leading to misunderstandings or missed deadlines. Cultural differences can also affect how families interpret school expectations, requiring additional clarity and sensitivity. Additionally, supporting students with special needs often means adapting my communication style to ensure instructions are clear and accessible.

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Özlem Özüdoğru Lalahan ÇPAL Ankara Türliye

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Özlem Özüdoğru Lalahan ÇPAL Ankara Türliye

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Unfortunately, we also have to make a separate effort to deal with parents. It is very difficult to reach most parents by email, and of course, it is difficult to call them quickly if we have the right number. Or we can provide the necessary information via the WhatsApp group. But constantly changing classes can make it difficult to keep track of new and old students. When we reach the parents, we usually find that the problems are similar or that they are a continuation of each other. Problem-solving is easier with family support.

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We communicate with parents via whatsapp

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Öğretmenlik kariyerimde karşılaştığım en zor iletişim problemi ne yazık ki öğrenci ya da veliyle değil de öğretmen bir arkadaşla oldu. Bırakın dijitali yüz yüzeyken dahi birbirini anlamaktan çok uzak kişilerin aynı kurumda uyum içinde çalışmasını ve eğitime katma değer sağlamasını beklemek nafile olabiliyor.

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Communication challenges fundamentally act as barriers that disrupt the intended flow of information, typically resulting in misunderstandings, decreased productivity, and conflict. The main obstacles include using ambiguous or complex jargon, differences stemming from diverse cultural backgrounds, emotional filters like stress or fear, and environmental distractions such as noise or digital information overload. To overcome these common difficulties, effective communicators must consistently employ active listening, prioritize delivering messages with simplicity and clarity, demonstrate empathy toward the receiver's perspective, and deliberately choose the most appropriate communication channel (medium) for the specific message they intend to convey.

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Öğretmenlik kariyerimde en sık karşılaştığım iletişim zorluklarından biri, bazı velilerin ve öğrencilerin dijital mesajları zamanında okumaması veya geri dönüş sağlamamasıdır; bu durum özellikle ödev takibi ve proje süreçlerinde aksamalara yol açabiliyor. Ayrıca özel gereksinimli öğrencilerle çalışırken iletişimi doğru şekilde uyarlamak, onların ihtiyaçlarına göre daha sade, görsel destekli ve net mesajlar hazırlamayı gerektiriyor. Farklı kültürel geçmişe sahip ailelerle iletişim kurarken ise ton, beklentiler ve kullanılan kavramlar konusunda daha hassas davranmak gerektiğini deneyimledim. Bu tür durumlarda sabırlı olmak, alternatif iletişim kanalları sunmak ve mesajları daha açık, kısa ve düzenli bir şekilde iletmek süreci büyük ölçüde kolaylaştırıyor.

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Whatsapp is the best way

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We communicate with parents via Whatsapp. Sometimes, parents ignore messages.

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I think cultural difficulties can be overcome with tolerance.

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We communicate with parents most often via email.

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Communication with parents via viber or email works well. Sometimes there is a lack of real words. Sometimes messages are not read or understood. This happens in rare cases

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We are used to communicate with students, parents and among collegues through electronic register and by istitutional mail.

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Unfortunately some parents don't pay attention in reading their mails coming from school. That's why we created a messenger group and sometimes we give them paper notes with the informations we want to adress.

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I usually have communication problems with parents. Some of them don't read the mail. So, in my school, to solve these problems, we communicate with parents via Viber.

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In my school we use classroom for communications among students and teachers. For parents we have the electronic register, parents can check grades, note and absences.

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Communicating with parents using new technologies is sometimes a problem: some parents don't read the messages sent or ignore them. Not all students have access to the internet or electronic devices (even though they are young, they do have smartphones).

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we have eclass for communicating

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In my school we use the electronic register and a large part of parents read it. Some teacher use emails or whatsapp too, but I prefer to use the electronic register to comunicate with parents and Goggle Classroom to comunicate whith students

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Even though i want to involve parents too in our activities, it is difficult when they do not receive your mail or not chacking them... so other methods are followed as to involve them

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Problems in communicating with parents who do not read or respond to emails can be analyzed and addressed practically:

1.Identifying the cause: check if the email addresses are correct; ask if parents use email frequently or prefer other channels (WhatsApp, SMS, groups).

2.Adapting communication channels

3.Send short and clear messages.

3.Use direct titles: “Information about tomorrow’s schedule” instead of “Important communication”.

4.If email does not work, resort to phone calls or messages through the homeroom teacher.

Increasing involvement: organize a short meeting at the beginning of the semester to establish the preferred mode of communication; mention the benefits of active collaboration for their child.

5.Monitoring and adjusting: note who responds and who does not; change the method for those who remain unreachable.

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During my career I saw that people don't read the announcement messages unfortunately.Even sometimes I wrote and sent voice mails about the topic I want to share information, they called me after. Especially parents are not following the groups regularly or some of them doesn't have enough internet connection. Also between my colleagues sometimes it is really hard to communicate simultaneously.

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Throughout my teaching career I have faced several communication challenges with students, parents, colleagues, and external partners. These challenges often affected engagement, follow-up on learning tasks, and the effectiveness of home-school collaboration. Below I describe the most important issues, concrete examples, how I addressed them, and what I learned.

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Over my teaching career I’ve faced several communication challenges: parents or students not reading or responding to emails, mixed messages when multiple platforms are used, and difficulty reaching families with limited internet access or low digital literacy; I’ve also navigated language barriers and cultural differences that can make tone and intent easily misunderstood, and occasions where communicating about special educational needs required careful, confidential, and highly individualized approaches. At times large class sizes and time pressure have made timely, meaningful feedback hard to sustain, and inconsistent use of tools across colleagues caused confusion for students and families. To manage these issues I’ve learned to set clear expectations about channels and response times, use multiple communication methods (short messages, translated summaries, phone calls or face-to-face meetings), provide visual supports and templates, schedule regular check-ins, involve support staff or interpreters for cultural or SEN conversations, and follow strict privacy protocols so sensitive information is handled appropriately.

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Challenge is parents, students and teachers don't check WhatsApp, telegram or Viber group. Sometimes I, like a teacher and mother, don't want to check this group in the evening.

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Not all my students' parents have enough time to check our emails, either because of the volume of their work or because there is too much information and they forget to check everything twice.

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A constant challenge I face is the lack of engagement with digital communication (parents not reading emails or school announcements). Many parents are challenged by "app fatigue", especially when different teachers use different platforms (email, ClassDojo, etc.), leading to messages being missed or ignored.

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My communication challenge/ Panagiota Plastira

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My communication challenge/ Panagiota Plastira

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I need to organize communication with partners in projects, and i am trying to work the deadline schedules as to have a good results in organizing our jobs.

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Low response rates from parents/students: emails go unread, messages ignored, or parents say they didn’t understand the purpose. This slows down collaboration and affects timely interventions.

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In my school, we use tools like WhatsApp, Google Classroom, and the electronic gradebook to communicate with students and parents. Despite these tools, challenges still arise, such as messages being overlooked, cultural differences, or explaining the needs of students with special requirements. Using multiple channels and being clear and concise has helped me improve communication and ensure everyone stays informed.

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Reflection on Communication Challenges:
One common communication challenge I face is that students or parents do not always check their emails or LMS messages regularly, which can delay feedback and reduce the effectiveness of communication. For students with special needs, I provide additional explanations and visual support to ensure clarity. Cultural differences are addressed by using polite, clear language and multiple communication channels.

Responses to Colleagues’ Challenges:

1. Students missing LMS notifications: I suggest supporting LMS messages with emails, encouraging students to enable notifications, and reinforcing key messages with brief in-class announcements.

2. Parents having limited access to portals or digital platforms: I recommend offering short orientation sessions, simple usage guides, and alternative communication methods like phone calls or messaging apps when needed.

Overall, using clear, accessible, and multi-channel communication greatly improves engagement and ensures that both students and parents stay informed.

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Low parent engagement — many parents don’t read or reply to emails. Important messages get missed and follow-up becomes time-consuming.

Students not checking the LMS / inbox — some pupils rarely log in, so homework and announcements aren’t seen.

Language & cultural barriers — with immigrant families I’ve had misunderstandings caused by language, different expectations about teacher–parent roles, or cultural norms about communication.

Supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN) — whole-class announcements or long written instructions can overwhelm some students (e.g., ASD, ADHD, dyslexia).

Notification overload & tone issues — too many messages cause parents/colleagues to ignore updates; written tone can be misread, creating unintended tension.

Digital inequality — some families have poor internet or limited device access, making digital-only communication ineffective.

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Parents and other teachers get so much information in a day that they often miss important things. To be honest it happens to me too sometimes. The question is how to make communication more effective.

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A parent who doesn’t read or respond to emails.

Difficulty reaching all families due to language barriers.

Challenges communicating with a child with special needs.

Cultural differences affecting understanding or expectations.

Colleagues not receiving or noticing important messages.

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Challenges I faced:

Parents have very little experience with technology.

Not all families have internet access at home.

Parents don’t know how to use tools like email or Google Drive.

Many parents do not have a fixed email or forget their passwords. Sometimes when they buy a new device, the seller creates a new email for them, and they don’t know the old one.

Suggestions to solve these challenges:

Organize short workshops or videos to teach parents basic digital skills, like creating and using email, Google Drive, and checking their child’s work.

Provide alternatives for families without internet, like printed materials or school Wi-Fi access.

Schools can create official email accounts for parents or students with an initial password and give them simple instructions to change it.

Share easy guides or videos explaining how to use tools step by step.

Offer ongoing support, like a school WhatsApp number or a small tech helpdesk for parents to ask questions.

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Clear and professional communication is vital in education. With students, Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom, Edmodo, e-me, eclass provide organized spaces for lessons, assignments, and feedback, though clarity and consistent updates are key to maintaining engagement. Among colleagues, tools like Teams Chat support quick collaboration and idea sharing, while email remains best for formal or documented communication. When engaging with parents, School Information Systems (mySchool) ensure secure sharing of grades and attendance, and email allows for professional, personalized updates. Choosing appropriate tools and maintaining clear, respectful communication strengthens relationships and fosters a more supportive learning environment for everyone.

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A communication challenge I’ve faced is parents not checking emails regularly or responding to them, which can make it difficult to provide timely feedback or support. I’ve found that using multiple channels, such as messaging apps or using phone calls, helps improve response rates and keeps communication more effective.

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One of the main communication chalenges I have to faced is that some parents do not regularly check pr respond to emails.

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The most common challenge I face is parents not checking their inbox daily, thus missing on some very important information or notification.

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We use a WhatsApp group in our class for daily communication. It is very fast and practical for most things.

But my biggest challenge is the silence. For example, I can send a message like, "Hello everyone, please remember that we need some special materials for our activity tomorrow." I see the blue ticks, so I know that most parents have read my message. But maybe only a few of them will reply with a simple "OK" or a thumbs-up emoji.

For the others, I am left wondering: Did they understand what they need to bring? Will they remember it? The next day, many students come to school without the necessary items. This means we cannot do our planned activity properly, and the students are disappointed.

It is very frustrating. A small reply, even just an emoji, would be enough to let me know that they are aware. This silence makes planning our class activities very difficult.

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The most common communication issues arise when parents fail to check their emails.

Or another variation:

One frequent communication problem is that parents do not regularly check their emails.

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My reflection:
One of the main communication challenges I have faced is that some parents do not regularly check or respond to emails, which makes it difficult to share important updates. Another challenge has been communicating effectively with students who have special learning needs, as digital messages are not always accessible to them.

Replies to peers:

If parents don’t respond to emails: Try using multiple channels (SMS, phone calls, or school apps) and keep messages short and clear.

If students struggle to understand digital instructions: Use visuals, step-by-step guides, and offer follow-up support in person or via video.

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The main problem I face with communication tools is that many parents don't check their emails, perhaps due to lack of interest, boredom, or negligence. So I was forced to use viber for more direct communication.

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It happens frequently that parents or students do not read their emails and it can be frustrating. That's why I also use phone calls or short messages in class to keep everyone alert.

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Throughout my teaching career, I have faced several communication challenges. One common issue is students not checking or responding to emails, which can make assignment follow-ups and feedback less effective. I try to overcome this by combining email with tools like Google Classroom announcements, Padlet boards, or short in-class reminders, so students receive messages through multiple channels.

Another challenge is communicating with parents of students with special needs or those from different cultural backgrounds. Sometimes language barriers or differing expectations can cause misunderstandings. I address this by using clear, simple language, visual aids, and sometimes translated messages, and I always encourage open dialogue through phone calls or video meetings. Being patient, empathetic, and proactive has helped build trust and better support student learning.

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The parents are sometimes slow or not up-to-date to changes for example let's say the changes or addings to whatsapp, quick questionnaires, they don't know how to vote or maybe they don't want to vote for sth. Or they chose to write their choices in text format.

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The most often communication problems refer to parents missing to check their e-mails

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Ηλίας Τουτσογλίδης

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Ηλίας Τουτσογλίδης

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Unfortunately, many Parents do not respond to the various emails we send them because many of them are immigrants and do not understand the Greek language or others do not have email. For this reason, I make sure that the email is translated into the language of each Parent through Google Translate.

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One challenge I often face is that parents and students do not always read emails, which makes communication slower. Another difficulty has been reaching students with special educational needs or families from different cultural backgrounds, where language can create barriers. To improve this, I find it helpful to combine emails with other channels, like school platform announcements or SMS reminders, and to keep messages very clear and short. For SEN and cultural issues, using simple language, adding visuals or providing translations makes communication more effective.

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Personal Experience:
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is that some parents or students do not read or respond to emails. This can make it difficult to share updates about student progress or collaborate on projects.

Another challenge involves students with special needs or from diverse cultural backgrounds, where careful communication is required to ensure that parents understand their child’s needs and the educational process.

Suggested Solutions:

Use multiple communication channels (e.g., Padlet, school email, short announcements on the class platform) to increase the chances that parents and students will see the message.

Keep messages short, clear, and specific, with reminders for important matters.

For special needs or cultural differences, organize personal meetings or video calls, using an interpreter or visual aids if needed, to ensure understanding and engagement.

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In my teaching career, I have faced a few communication challenges. For example, sometimes parents change their contact details but do not update the school, which can make it hard to reach them. With students with special needs, I usually communicate through parents or teaching assistants. This has not caused major problems because they have good support.

With colleagues, communication can sometimes be tricky, especially in WhatsApp groups or when we share documents with many people. Misunderstandings can happen if several people edit the same file or if messages are unclear.

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Unfortunately, many students and parents do not read and respond to emails because they are not used to use emails or even Viber. Students use mostly Instagram in order to communicate. It has happened some parents not to be informed about a school trip because they didn't look at their emails.

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Yes, it happens that my messages on email are not read at all by the parents. Same thing with some colleagues, who, even though they read my messages they don't reply, which is frustrating and annoying. Fortunately, there is direct communication so in this case I tell my thoughs directly when we meet.

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One recurring challenge I have faced is that some students and parents do not read or respond to emails or eClass messages in a timely manner. This often leads to delays in homework submissions, missed announcements, or lack of preparation for events. I have tried to address this by using multiple channels within the school’s official systems (e.g., both sending an email and sending an eClass message) and by setting clear expectations at the start of the year about how and when communication will happen.

Another challenge has been communicating with parents of students with language and cultural barriers. To address such issues, as many colleagues already stated as best communication solution, I arranged short, focused meetings, used simple language with visuals in written communication, and followed up verbally to ensure mutual understanding.

These experiences have taught me that effective communication is not just about the tools we use but also about clarity, consistency, and sensitivity to the needs and backgrounds of our audience.

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Sometimes parents do not read their emails. If so, we try to call them and inform them about important matters.

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Oh yes, I’ve definitely had my share of communication challenges. One common one is students (and sometimes parents) just not reading or replying to emails, even when the info is important and time-sensitive. With parents, it can also happen that messages get “lost” because they’re not checking the institutional channels regularly.

I’ve also faced situations where cultural differences affected the way messages were understood—sometimes what I thought was clear came across differently, or certain terms needed to be explained better. With special needs students, I’ve learned that communication often has to be more straightforward, and reinforced in multiple ways to make sure nothing is missed.

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I USE EMAILS , DIRECT AND PHONE COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS AND STUDENTS. THEY RESPOND TO IT, THEY ARE COOPERATIVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS

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Since I work with preschool and pre-primary children, direct communication with them mostly happens during daily activities through verbal instructions, visual aids, and interactive games (e.g., Genially, LearningApps).

However, the biggest communication challenges arise when interacting through parents, as they are the main channel for delivering information. There are often situations where parents do not check messages in the electronic diary "Mūsų darželis", fail to respond to Google Forms surveys, or forget to confirm information via ClassDojo. In such cases, I need to use additional communication methods, like face-to-face conversations or reminders during group meetings.

There are also challenges in communication with parents from different cultural backgrounds, who are not familiar with our institution’s communication practices or may struggle to understand formal messages.

1. I understand the challenge when parents don’t read or respond to emails or digital notices. I’ve faced similar situations. What has helped me is using Google Forms for short surveys or confirmations with clear deadlines. Parents are more likely to respond when the message is concise and the form is very simple. Additionally, I often remind them during face-to-face drop-off or pick-up times, which increases engagement.

2. When it comes to communication barriers with parents from different cultural backgrounds, I have found that visual communication tools like Canva work very well. Preparing short, visual summaries of key information (dates, activities) can overcome language difficulties. Also, I would recommend using ClassDojo, as it allows sharing photos and short announcements in a very user-friendly way. Personal follow-up conversations also build trust and clarify expectations.

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In our school we use email to communicate with parents,students

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Maria Garapa, EB23 Caniço, Madeira-Portugal

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Maria Garapa, EB23 Caniço, Madeira-Portugal

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Throughout my teaching career, I have faced several communication challenges. One recurring issue is that some students and parents do not regularly check or respond to emails, even when the information shared is important and time-sensitive. This often leads to missed deadlines or confusion about assignments and events.

To address this challenges, I’ve learned the importance of using multiple communication channels, such as printed notes or in-person meetings when possible. I also try to simplify the language used in messages and make space for feedback, especially when dealing with families from diverse backgrounds.

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In our school we use emails the most. But many times parents don't read them and we have to call them to inform them. We also have meetings with parents at the beginning of the school year and once a week the teachers are available for whatever we need to discuss. Very few parents come to these meetings.

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one of the most significant communication challenges that I usually encounter in my school is the lack of an official communication medium between the school and the students and between the school and the parents. We usually interact with students and parents through social media platforms which might raise concerns regarding privacy and accessibility.

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I'm a primary school teacher and I've usually had no problems communicating with parents and students. Perhaps with non-Italian-speaking parents and students, but the right path can always be found.

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I have had communication problems with some of my students who never check their email. Since we have been using Google classroom, it no longer arises because the kids are receiving notifications. When I have to communicate with foreign students or their parents, I try to use translators (as I do now). When I need to communicate important information to parents, I phone them directly. If they refuse to answer, I send an official communication from the school by post, but this happens very rarely.

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A common challenge I’ve had in my teaching career is making sure that both students and parents actually read and reply to emails or messages. Important information is often missed or delayed, which can affect how involved students are and the support they get.

One big problem is with students who ignore messages and don’t do the tasks shared on platforms like Google Classroom. Many of them mostly use their devices for games or social media and lose touch with school work, which makes it hard to keep them motivated.

Another challenge is that many parents don’t follow up or support their children’s schoolwork regularly. Sometimes this happens because they don’t feel confident using digital tools or email. Some parents even give their own email to their kids just because it’s easier, but this makes communication more complicated.

Overall, keeping good communication with students and parents is a constant challenge that needs patience and creative ideas.