Language and Language Acquistion, Part 7
Question 1: Discuss some common characteristics of successful teachers.
Answer 1: While each person’s instructional style is unique, successful teachers share certain characteristics. The most important qualities are attitude, and approach and the following contribute to and influence both:A sense of humor will relieve tense situations and make class more pleasant for everyone. Students might actually look forward to coming to class and will more likely pay attention when they are present.A positive attitude helps cope with most situations both in and out of the classroom.Setting realistic expectations and ensuring that students believe they can reach them is a great motivator and helps them achieve a sense of competence. Being consistent creates a safe, predictable learning environment. Students do not like situations in which the rules are always changing.Being fair means treating all students in the same manner in similar situations. Flexibility is critical. Things change and students expect the teacher to be in charge and in control at all times and in all situations.
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Question 2: Discuss some behaviors teachers should avoid in the classroom.
Answer 2: Teachers are human, and adolescents can be difficult at times. That combined with the fact that almost all students enjoy challenging a teacher can bear the potential for disaster. So it makes sense to avoid certain behaviors at all times before they can become catalysts for disaster. Teachers should not stop a lesson for minor infractions. It is much better to speak to the student afterwards than to create a potential no-win confrontation. A teacher should not create arbitrary rules that may be difficult to enforce. If a student should complain about another teacher, the listening teacher should remain noncommittal. If the issue is serious, it should be discussed with the teacher involved or brought to the attention of the administration. Teachers should never come to class without a lesson plan. Students will seize the opportunity to create chaos.
Question 3: Describe some effective classroom discipline and management skills.
Answer 3: Students respect a teacher who maintains control of the classroom, and students perform better in a quiet, orderly environment. Teachers should always have a disciplinary plan and they should follow it every day. Most students respect rules if they are clear and the consequences are understood and explained ahead of time, while being consistently and fairly enforced. Disruptions and interruptions need to be dealt with immediately to prevent an escalation of the situation. However, teachers should never humiliate a student, use sarcasm, or yell: all semblance of control will be lost. One effective way to avoid discipline problems is to have more material planned for class than can possibly be presented in the allotted time. Keeping students busy and engaged in the business of learning goes a long way toward preventing disciplinary problems.
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