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Q: What makes a good English teacher?
Or, what makes a poor one?
Is good teaching simply being bilingual? Considering that there's over a billion Chinese people, demand for teachers will outweigh supply. You'll have to hire teachers who can't speak Chinese. And, not knowing Chinese can be a benefit in the classroom, it helps students understand that English is an actual way to communicate, not just answers on a test.
Please don't answer with "there are just some people who can't teach". That's not a helpful or informative answer.
14 years 19 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Most English teachers here can not speak very much Chinese. The classes they give are more about comprehension than actual learning.
But your question was "What makes a good English teacher." Patience. The ability to understand the students needs and modify your methods to match them. The ability to engage the students and have them interact with you. And the knowledge of how to correct a student in a positive manner.
These may seem very basic, but you would be surprised how few teachers are able to follow the simple rules.
Discipline in the classroom,classes are so large if they dont respect you you cant even start teaching,students knowing you are a teacher first,then you can be friends with them and build a solid partnership,plus pronunciation of english words and trying to convince them to speak naturally and not using big words for every answer,ive only achieved 2 so far they just love big words
And, knowledge - can't really teach something if you don't know much about it. (just like, you can't teach mechanics if all you can do is drive a car).
Also, humility - being willing to admit when you're wrong... as well as telling them they are right.
I don't know about teaching English, as I don't do it, but from the students perspective I have found the best Chinese teachers are the ones who enjoy teaching. If they're upbeat and actually jazzed about you learning, you'll be able to withstand the long, uncomfortable two hour one on one sessions.
Lesson plan and be confident. Both super important!
always have a plan B and a fool proof plan C. know which classes should be lectures and which should be more open discussion classes. show films(tv shows perferably) with a purpose preview vocabulary, ask questions . get them to ask questions about anything. encourage them to challenge you, try to tell them "1+1=3" (so to speak) and encourage them yell out "no you are wrong"
i love my freshmen classes also englishpod is a great replacement for those shatty texts books
crimochina:
i really need advice on how to make business english fun?
Passion!! If you love teaching our crazy language then that enthusiasm infects the students. A sense of humour is important and the ability to laugh at yourself.
Prepare every lesson - from kindergarten to adult - so that the students will get the best experience of their lives!
Nothing worthwhile in life is ever achieved without passion! Hallelujah!!
