What do teachers want? The answer is simple, more time. Indeed, locating that elusive time creation button has become a quest to be pursued with relentless zeal. Although management and career development books offer suggestions, they don't seem to apply to a person whose work life is dictated to by the ringing of a bell.
Do you want blend in the background as just one of those mediocre teachers? Or would you rather be known as a great teacher who has touched and changed a lot of lives? Here are some tips on how you can become a more effective teacher.
by Hamed Ghaemi, PhD Candidate in TEFL Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Branch
There seems no shortage of ideas regarding what defines a “good” teacher in the context of IELTS instruction. Teachers and teaching have become subjects of conversation by a wide range of interested specialists. The literature contains a vast range of ideas, preconceptions and vested interests, each with a point of view to expound. One difficulty encountered in reviewing the literature is the way in which “good teacher,” “good teaching,” and “effective teaching” are often used almost interchangeably. They are, in my estimation, not the same thing. “Good teaching practices” can be employed by nearly anyone. Employing such practices does not, in itself, make one a “good” teacher. The problem with “effective teaching” as a measure is that it is generally related to some measure of “student achievement,” most often some sort of standardized test. Are such scores a valid measure of teacher “goodness”? I do not believe so. A “good” teacher should certainly be effective, and use those methods that seem to him most suited to the task at hand. However, there is another dimension to all this which separates the “good” teacher from the skillful technician.
Internet forums are always abuzz with future TEFL students asking what they can do to prepare for their course. Here are some of my tips on what you can do to make sure you have an edge over your classmates and help make the transition into teaching and living abroad easier.
I have long been a proponent of finding alternatives to standardized tests, including the use of portfolio assessment and other authentic assessments that measure real learning and not the ability to choose the correct answer. Along this line, I had a conversation a few days ago with another educator about the concept of the bell curve and how intelligence, as it is viewed, can be a more accurate determiner of achieving proficiency.
Being a good ESL teacher requires more than simply speaking the language. Teachers must have a sophisticated understanding of how the English language works, then be able to teach in a lively manner and develop coherent, well-structured lesson plans. Although this may seem daunting to new ESL teachers, the rewards of seeing students steadily progress and gain fluency in the language are irreplaceable and make all of the effort worthwhile!
Many administrators are also master teachers. Still, instructing others to be effective educators requires a different set of skills from teaching classes yourself. And yet, as another session approaches, administrators face the task of training a new group of teachers. Below are six tips you can use to effectively train your staff.
If done properly, centers can bring an entirely new dynamic to your class. An opportunity for students to move from their seats where they probably sit for most of the day, and immerse themselves in an engaging and stimulating activity. An effective teaching strategy. In order to establish and maintain centers in your classroom you will have to carefully plan and organize.
What Makes a Master Teacher? Current thinking among educators looks toward seven key characteristics.
Good research, meticulous preparation, good quality presentation material and a training instructor with the right skills and personality are only a few of the key components that make up a good, effective training course. Some trainers are very good at presenting training courses, but if you are a trainer and about to embark on designing and preparing your own training course, you must follow a well prepared plan and see it through without compromising.