How to Teach English

Pictured: Nora with students at Kevin`s English Schools

by Kevin Burns


Recently and over the past year or so, I have
had the pleasure of watching a good friend of mine teach.
It has often been under the guise of waiting for him
"before we go out for a beer or a bite to eat."

C as I will refer to him to avoid embarrassing him,
has reminded me again and again of some of the basics.
One is simply being quiet and letting the students speak.
I am a naturally talkative person and love to joke around
---ALL the time.
This can be a blessing and a curse.
I use it in the classroom but I try to be careful never
to cause offense or interupt too much. Yet my style of humour
does tend to　interrupt the flow to some extent.
Yet it does add to the class as　well, and creates a light
atmosphere. I think some students love my　style and others
would probably change to a quieter, calmer teacher.


I like C`s style in that it is very calm and warm.
He genuinely cares　about his students and encourages
them to talk by asking　them questions. He is low key
and I mean that in a good way. His students can feel
his warmth and enjoy his classes. He is a good
teacher and has taught me too.

Sometimes the best things we can do as teachers are
the simple things like being quiet and letting the
students talk, asking the students questions and giving
them the time it takes to answer (some of us are
too impatient and Japanese can take a long time
to formulate an answer).

As well, we can be a pair partner when only three students
show up; thus generating more conversation than the
teacher centred situation that often arises when you
have three students, and one teacher, (and speak as a group).
The teacher often dominates the proceedings in this case.

Another teacher I know, whose name also begins with a C, is a
naturally playful teacher and a very good children`s teacher.
He reminds me constantly of the value of play. He too, cares
about people. I think he would never admit this, but he does.
He listens carefully to what students say, then remembers a book
a student spoke of and buys it for them. He refuses payment.

Or he rewards his children`s classes with presents for jobs
well done. He never even asks for payment from the school
( I wish he would at least sometimes). I tell him you spend too
much money. He listens but he knows that is his style.

To sum up, one of the best things we can do, is to watch an esteemed
teacher we know, and learn from her or him. By imitating them, and
therefore, stretching ourselves to emulate some other teaching styles,
we too, become better teachers.

http://www.eikaiwa1.com Kevin`s English Schools, the Canadian
Schools in Japan eh!