Tongue Fu! At School

Would you like to learn how to quickly resolve conflicts with students, parents, fellow teachers, principals, coaches, and school board members? This book is for educators that want to learn real-life responses to situations faced everyday in the classroom, on campus, in the front office, at extra-curricular activities, in staff meetings, PTA meetings, and district meetings. The author, originator of Tongue Fu! (a trade-marked communication methodology for turning conflict into cooperation), doesn't waste time on theories that have no relevance in the real world. Readers will learn specific dialogue to help them: end arguments by focusing on solutions; persuade others to stop, listen, and see their point of view; handle hassles with humor; communicate with helpful language; keep emotions under control; and turn resentment into rapport so that people have the incentive to get along.

This book is for educators that want to learn real-life responses to situations faced everyday in the classroom, on campus, in the front office, at extra-curricular activites, in staff meetings, PTA meetings, and district meetings.

Library Journal

Of all the people quoted throughout this intelligent sequel to Tongue Fu!, Laurence J. Peters of Peter Principle fame perhaps best expresses Horn's philosophy of communication: "Tact is the art of putting your foot down without stepping on anyone's toes." Cooperation, in a sense, is a trickier subject than the three Rs, so it should be taught in school, argues Horn. Here, the veteran consultant and seminar developer applies her trademarked process for cultivating good working relationships to anyone who spends time in a school setting (including students). Brief, easy-to-digest chapters cover communication and language (including "Words To Use" and "Words To Lose"), the creation of a "climate of cooperation," and conflict-resolution skills as they apply in school. Unfortunately, some topics-such as dealing with bullies-merit more treatment than given here, which the author acknowledges. Horn also shoots a bit high in terms of her audience: kids are unlikely to consult her book, and only the most involved parents would seek it out. Still, this work should find an appreciative audience among teachers and administrators. For most education and communication skills collections.-Kay Hogan Smith, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham, Lister Hill Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Sam Horn, president of Action Seminars, has presented her real-life workshops to more than 400,000 people since 1981. Her impressive client list includes Young Presidents Organization, National Governors Association, Hewlett-Packard, Four Seasons Resort, the Fortune 500 Forum, the US Navy, and the IRS. She was the top rated speaker at both the 1996 and 1998 International Platform Association conventions in Washington DC, and is the emcee of the world-renowned Maui Writers Conference.