Page 21 - ELG2107 Jul Issue 476

FEATURE
10 tips to become a

successful teacher

Simple but invaluable advice it’s worth remembering as you start
your teaching career

s teachers, we always aim to equip
pupils not only with intellectual
skills, but most of all with important
A life skills.
That is the focus of the book My Edutainment
World, by Myrsini Verdoukas and Jenny Dooley PHOTO BY NGO HUU MOI FROM PIXABAY
(Express Publishing). As the book mentions,
it is a holistic approach to teaching English to
preschoolers, but the activities and tips included
can easily be adapted to cover the needs of
students of all ages. It is designed for the teacher
who comprehend that students develop greater
fluency in a language when they are naturally
exposed to it.
What does it take to become a successful
language teacher? Let’s have a look at some
of the tips that are supported by this resource
of ideas.
1. Be well prepared
Even if you’re an experienced teacher, good
preparation is always recommended. For
experienced teachers, the process may take up
less time, but it is still necessary. If you follow they don’t often get the chance to use it on a unhelpful because they don’t provide sufficient
this tip, you will relax and enjoy the lesson daily basis, so communication might seem like direction. Remember, you need goals to show
rather than be trying to organise everything a nightmare to them. Respect their fears and your students the way. The ‘one step at a time
while the kids become restless or bored. work on the solution in a friendly way with rule’ should also be applied in this case as a
them. Greet them politely, explain everything lot of different goals might be intimidating and
2. Be an entertainer willingly and generally create a positive cause fear, stress, and sometimes distraction
Humour and fun are the triggers of the brain. environment where asking for advice won’t be and lack of participation on behalf of
If you manage to trigger the kids’ brains, then a stressful situation, but the most natural thing the students.
you can be sure that they’ll participate in all in the world.
the tasks you want them to be involved in. 8. Be flexible
Be enthusiastic, fun to be with and energetic. 5. Provide safety If something isn’t working, then change it.
Students will then be engaged in your lesson. This tip is crucial, especially for very young Don’t stick to things that cause boredom
learners. Try to create a safety net for them and indifference just because they’re on
3. Be a role model inside and outside the classroom. Young ones the syllabus.
Treat your students the way you would like are very energetic and run around. Avoid
to be treated. Negative feelings, irony, bitter having kids running with objects like sticks or 9. Manage your time
comments, shouting and raising your voice other things that could hurt them if they fall. This tip is closely related to the preparation tip,
are not ideal. Use please and thank you, and Also, make sure that there is enough space as if you have prepared a lot of stuff before the
be polite at all times because it demonstrates for them to carry out any actions without actual lesson then it will be easier to manage
courtesy and respect. Be the teacher who accidentally hitting each other. your time during it. Especially when you wish
believes in them, their supporter and the one to include experiential and hands-on activities
who accepts them for who they are. In general, 6. Give simple and clear instructions you need to take into consideration that you
set a good example, show them and guide them Explain everything in a simple way and always should always leave some time for cleaning up
towards the desired behaviour in a positive and remember to give examples. One step at a time and putting things you have used away.
inspiring way. is a golden rule to keep in mind as, regardless
of age, quite a lot of kids find it really hard to 10. Set your rules
4. Make them feel secure remember a lot of different instructions given Classroom rules should be established from day
Learning a foreign language is an overwhelming at the same time. one. Be consistent in applying them and don’t
process for a lot of kids, even if they have had be afraid to be a bit strict from time to time.
some years of prior exposure to it. There are 7. Set specific goals Also, explain to your students the difference
always new areas, rules, words to learn and, Your goals and expectations must be clear and between strict and bossy. They will surely
since it is a foreign language, that means that well defined. Vague or generalised goals are appreciate it!
editorial@elgazette.com 21