Comments on Brookfield Chapter 16 (Understanding Students’ Resistance to Learning)

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Understanding why students resist learning is important for teachers, as Stephen Brookfield explains in Chapter 16 of The Skillful Teacher. Resistance can happen for several reasons, like how students see themselves, thinking the subject isn’t useful, cultural expectations, fear of the unknown, or being pushed too quickly (Brookfield, 2015).




Students might resist if they feel embarrassed or worry they’re not good enough, especially with tough topics. If they think the subject doesn’t relate to their life or future, they might lose interest. Cultural pressures, like family or community expectations, can also create challenges for students to fully engage in learning.

Fear of the unknown happens when students face ideas that seem unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Brookfield suggests teachers create a safe, encouraging space to help students feel curious instead of scared. Also, introducing new material too quickly can confuse or overwhelm them, so it’s important to go step by step.

Brookfield reassures teachers that resistance is normal and doesn’t mean they’re doing a bad job. By understanding these causes and creating a positive, supportive classroom, teachers can help students feel more comfortable and open to learning.

References Brookfield, S. (2015). The Skillful Teacher (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.


Nor-Mali-ity in the Workplace © 2025 by MKos is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 

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