Teacher Skills and Competence

Teacher's Skills and Knowledge

  • Essential traits and roles of a teacher in the educational environment.

Importance of Teacher's Personality

  • Students appreciate teachers who display their own personality and authenticity.

Characteristics of a Good Teacher

  • Systematic: Well-organized lesson plans and structured teaching methods.
  • Reliable: Dependable in providing consistent support and guidance.
  • Diligent: Hard-working with an ongoing commitment to learning.
  • Strict but Just: Fair with rules but also understanding of students' needs.
  • Modest: Humble in teaching approach; recognizes ongoing learning.
  • Calm and Humorous: Maintains a serene classroom atmosphere; uses humor to engage students.

Professionalism in Teaching

  • Defined as preparing through learning to do a competent job.
  • Key components include:
  • Pre-service and In-service Training: Ongoing professional development.
  • Reflection: Evaluating teaching practices based on experience.
  • Collaboration: Engaging in discussions with colleagues.
  • Research and Resource Utilization: Keeping up-to-date with educational literature and methods.

Key Areas of Teacher Competence

  1. Linguistic and Cultural Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of language systems and cultural context of English-speaking countries.
  1. Subject Matter Understanding:
  • Ability to explain new language concepts, develop students' skills, and manage testing.
  1. Methodological Skills:
  • Use of humor, patience, and strong communication skills.

Teacher’s Knowledge

  • Familiarity with language systems, resources (e.g., dictionaries), and classroom technology (e.g., projectors).
  • Commitment to keeping current through professional development opportunities.

Teacher’s Skills

  • Classroom Management: Overseeing classroom dynamics and activities effectively.
  • Content Match: Adapting tasks to suit different learning groups and objectives.
  • Monitoring Learning Outcomes: Evaluating and providing feedback to students.

Teacher’s Tasks

  • Preparation: Combining subject knowledge with effective teaching skills.
  • Record Keeping: Documenting teaching activities and student performance.
  • Reliability: Upholding commitments regarding schedules and assignments.
  • Time Management: Balancing teacher-talking time (TTT) and student-talking time (STT).

Roles of a Teacher

  • Teachers alternate roles based on the context of classroom activities, primarily serving as facilitators.
  1. Controller:
  • Acts as the leader in class, conducting drills and managing activities while providing clear instructions.
  1. Assessor:
  • Evaluates student performance and provides constructive feedback.
  1. Organizer:
  • Coordinates activities and manages group interactions and logistical details.
  1. Prompter:
  • Offers help when students struggle with communication, encouraging them to express themselves in English.
  1. Participant:
  • Occasionally participates in activities without overpowering student contributions.
  1. Resource:
  • Provides necessary information and language support when students require guidance.
  1. Tutor:
  • Supports students during projects and assessments through individualized help.
  1. Observer:
  • Monitors student interactions discretely while noting both successes and areas for improvement in classroom activities.

Teacher Identification

  • Balancing the transmission of knowledge with enabling students to learn independently.

Learner-Centered Teaching

  • Focused on the learners’ needs, ensuring their active participation in the learning process.
  • Challenges to this approach include potential neglect of content depth, as raised by methodologists like O'Neil.

Rapport Building

  • Essential for creating a positive classroom atmosphere characterized by respect and enjoyment:
  • Recognition: Knowing students’ names and backgrounds.
  • Listening: Being available for student communication.
  • Respect and Fairness: Maintaining impartiality and constructive correction techniques.

Discipline in the Classroom

Reasons for Discipline Issues

  • Can stem from the teacher, the students, or the institution itself.

Discipline from the Teacher's Perspective

  • Critical factors include being prepared, consistent, engaging, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Advice for Beginner Teachers

  • Establish clear expectations early, know students' names, and prepare lessons thoroughly.
  • Maintain mobility in the classroom, use clear instructions, and develop effective questioning and timing strategies.

Resources

  • Harmer, J. (2001, 2007); Ur, P. (2012); essential readings for teaching methodology.

Reflection Questions

  • Consider adaptability in roles, the importance of rapport, and the essential areas where teacher competence is necessary.