General Tips for Teaching English
June on the TEFL Times has been set aside for a series of articles from Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa, the creator and writer for TEFL Tips.
English teachers are professionals and as such need to remember somethings while in the classroom. Here are some ideas to help get you started.
Dos
● Act like a teacher. As a foreign teacher, both students and teachers will look up to you as a representative of your country. Act professional.
● Make class interesting. Prepare a variety of activities and games.
● Be consistent with the rules. You shouldn’t play favourites-make sure you treat all your students equally.
● Plan your lessons ahead of time. Winging it doesn’t work. You will have to think about what you want to teach before you enter the classroom.
● Make sure the topic is appropriate. Some issues that are accepted at home are taboo here.
● Speak clearly and loudly.
● Tell the students why you want them to do something.
● Expect the unexpected. Maybe you planned an activity for ten students and only five showed up. Always have a back-up plan.
● Keep an open mind. Some countries have laid-back ideas about timing. Students may show up ten minutes late.
● Ask your students for feedback. Most times they will be honest and tell you if they liked or didn’t like the activities you planned. They might also have suggestions for things that you can do in class.
● Adapt your teaching style. Some students like to thinking things over and have everything perfect before speaking. Others want to shout out the answer as soon as they know it.
● Bring realia into the classroom. Pictures from magazines, photos from home, real objects make lessons come alive.
Don’ts
● Wear weekend clothes to class. Jogging pants, jeans or shorts aren’t acceptable. Women should cover their shoulders, stomachs and knees. Sleeveless shirts are ok, but spaghetti straps aren’t. Men should wear dress pants and a dress shirt with a collar. Piercings and tattoos should be covered up.
● Dumb students down. Just because they can’t answer a question, doesn’t make them understand. Ask a different question or see if someone can help the student.
● Embarrass your students.
About the author
Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.
One of the most important things is: Feel good about teaching!
Personally I have to suggest and add here:
1. In Asia, students are more accustomed to seeing their teachers dressed semi-formally. At the beginning, you will be much more likely to gain their respect (and the respect of the school director) if you follow this custom.
2. Check for real understanding. Students may look at you and nod their head without really understanding. Make sure they understand you by asking them a question using the language you wish to target.
3. Try to use proofreading software. It’s used to correct student material on writing or grammar errors. Remember: Even teachers can commit mistakes. And nothing is worse than that IMHO.
4. Give your students homework to do, including those grammar worksheets. Don’t waste class time doing work that students could do on their own. Their class time is better spent listening to your English and participating in real communication.