Empathy, an Influencing Behavioral Model in the Interaction between Teacher and Learner

In this study, through a new look on the theory of empathy and based on theories of psychologists such as Rogers and Bennet, we propose a model to teachers that ables them to communicate with the learners with empathy. "Empathy" is a valuable feature that creates mutual trust, so that the learning process is enjoyable for both sides. In educational psychology, empathy is defined as the "ability to communicate in such a way that the audience feels that he/she is understood." Generally, empathy gives flexibility to human interactions. In the field of education, with the creation of a favorable atmosphere in the classroom, empathy enhances the learning process. Despite that empathy has been on the agenda since 1970s in the language learning theory in the western countries, but it was absent in Iran’s educational approaches. This research will lead to recognition of skills for empathy. Based on the model of empathy, teachers must put themselves on the position of learners, take precedence over the needs, and avoid pre-judgments. To establish empathy in the classes, some specific tools and techniques are needed, including providing clear and detailed lesson plans, using notebook communication, classroom management, intelligent dialogue, active listening and retelling, expressing your feelings and the other, understanding body language, and cognition including communication techniques. Finally, the realization of empathy between teachers and students has been studied.