Page 34 - ELG2003 Mar Issue 469

El•Gazette 469.qxp_El•Gazette 469 25/02/2020 21:52 Page 34

COMMENT .

Point

of View

Lara
Statham

“We should start by

putting ourselves first,

not our students”

Students suffer when teachers are stressed
out, argues Lara Statham
Improve your teaching by combating the stress of a b

e always hear that we should be On top of this, students expect to learn having a much healthier, meaningful and
putting our students first. And I more quickly and effectively than ever productive impact on our students and their
believe that many of us do just before. So, in today’s world of fast-paced, futures as L2 speakers.
Wthat. technology-driven, and disruptive Here’s what we can do…
We really want our students to learn and innovations, we need to change our approach
we reflect on our lessons with the aim of to tackling these challenging issues. But not Be mindful
getting our message across more clearly; we by introducing a new teaching methodology. Being aware of our own breathing, body and
adapt tasks to the needs of our students and I believe we should start by putting mind by following a mindfulness meditation
supplement with extra materials to increase ourselves first, not our students. Only then practice is a great way to de-stress, re-focus
student motivation. can we really provide a learning experience and reflect with more intention. Apps such as
But outside the classroom, English that matches students’ actual needs and Headspace and Calm can get you started on
language teachers are expectations. your meditation practice.
increasingly However, rather than Start with 10 minutes before leaving for
overstretched. And this Few of us know expect schools, work and 10 minutes when you get home.
is a serious problem that institutions and You will find that a calm, happy and more
impacts on lessons. Not how to cope with organisations to make intentional demeanour can also affect your
only for the teachers the merry-go-round our lives easier, we must students, who will respond to your deeper
who are stressed or take responsibility for self-assuredness and calm responsiveness.
burnt out, but also for of demands in our our own well-being by
the students who, as a developing healthier Think less
direct consequence, are lives. habits to ensure we are Endless thinking about lesson plans and
not getting as good a fit to step into the ruminating over different ways you could
learning experience as they should. classroom, can apply effective classroom have done this and said that is simply
In the private language school sector, management techniques to deal with the exhausting. Put some strategies in place to
English language teachers are often required pressures of classroom dynamics and respond prevent this energy drain.
to teach across a wide range of course types, constructively to our varying professional First, start to notice when you are
with very little time left over for lesson demands. overthinking or running a commentary in
planning, deep reflection on performance and In short, we each must find ways to your head. Step in with some slow,
continuous professional development. effectively manage ourselves before we can intentional mindfulness breathing to return
Combine that with contracts and pay that, effectively manage others. to the present moment.
in the UK and Ireland at least, can vary It’s really a win-win. Spending time on our Then focus pragmatically on the things you
wildly. Then add the trials of accomplishing own needs first allows us to be healthier and need to get done in the here and now… and
everyday tasks such as shopping, household happier, more comfortable with ourselves and do them.
admin and medical appointments. feel a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.
I would argue that the difficulties in By focusing on our own well-being, our Set boundaries
juggling this load directly obstruct effective professional lives can flourish because we are Give yourself permission to say ‘no’ once in a
classroom dynamics and learning. Not least able to focus more clearly, make more while. Your time and energy are precious. But
because students find themselves struggling conscious choices and decisions and fine- boundaries can also be fluid, so when the
with exactly the same pressures in their own tune our teaching so that our students learn going gets tough you can politely delegate,
work and home environments. faster and better. and when you’ve got more headspace, giving
‘Busyness’ has become truly toxic, and few Ironically, it is only by consciously slowing someone a bit of extra time will be
of us know how to cope with the merry-go- ourselves down and being more mindful that appreciated. People will see this and respect
round of demands in our lives. we really become more effective teachers, your time more than if you always say ‘yes’.

34 March 2020