How to be a good teacher

Written by Aziza Restu Febrianto

 

What makes a good teacher?

In an attempt to find out what we all think about teachers and teaching I recently asked a various people the question, “What makes a good a teacher?” I was especially interested to see what their instant response would be that might throw some light upon deeply-held beliefs about this fundamental part of human experience.

Many different people were asked the question, almost always with a tape machine there to record their answers. There were teachers of English in the UK, in Spain, and from Finland. Some of the respondents were teacher trainers and methodologists. I interviewed students of different nationalities studying at private language schools in Britain, and secondary school students studying at a Cambridge comprehensive school.

The following answers are representative of the many that were given.

1. They should make their lessons interesting so you don’t fall asleep in them.

This was said by an adult student at a private language school in England.

2. A teacher must love her job. If she really enjoys her job that will make their lesson more interesting.

This was also said by an adult student in England. Teachers who look fed up or unhappy with what they are doing tend to have a negative effect on their students. When you observe good teachers you will notice that, even when/ if they are feeling terrible (outside the classroom), they put on a good ‘teacher’s face’ when they enter the classroom.

3. I like the teacher who has his own personality and doesn’t hide it from the students so that he is not only a teacher but a person as well. And it comes through the lessons.

Students tend to be interested in their teachers. At least at first. The ones who share the personality with their classes often have better results that those who don’t. 

4. I like a teacher who has lots of knowledge, not only of his subject.

The preoccupation with the teacher’s personality is reflected here too. Teachers should not be afraid to bring their own interests and lives into the classroom (within reason, of course).

5. A good teacher is an entertainer and I mean that in a positive sense, not a negative sense.

Students enjoy being entertained  and amused.